Why does it cost some companies hundreds of millions of dollars to develop a popular video game? A couple weeks ago, The New York Times blamed the never-ending quest to deliver more photo-realistic graphics— and it suggested the industry is beginning to see diminishing returns, leading to layoffs and studio closures. However, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier […]
© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
I’ve been seeing people give their Mac Minis a serious style upgrade by housing them in enclosures that make them look like mini Mac Pros—and I had to try it out for myself. Enter the Zeera MacForge Gen2, a CNC aluminum case that turns your Mac Mini M4 into a desktop workstation that looks like a shrunken version of Apple’s iconic Mac Pro. And let me tell you, I love the look.
more…:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/stephen-twitch-boss-weslie-011824-c44650070a6042e2ad3434031b509587.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/WWE-star-Maryse-41-diagnosed-with-very-rare-pre-cancer-of-the-ovaries-021224-3-db00ae3e65804bb792501ee874c9b133.jpg)
Fortnite Festival will support local multiplayer starting Tuesday January 14, meaning you’ll be able to sit down in a room with your friends and jam out on plastic guitar controllers together just like the good ol’ days. Of course, most of us probably don’t have those plastic guitars anymore, but regular controllers will work just fine too. The feature is coming to Xbox and PlayStation, and up to four local players will be supported at a time for the Festival Main Stage mode. Maybe it’s the nostalgia talking, but this kind of rules?
GET THE BAND BACK TOGETHER ‼️
— Fortnite Festival (@FNFestival) January 10, 2025
Local multiplayer is coming to Fortnite Festival on Xbox and PlayStation January 14! Stay *tuned* for more details 🎸 pic.twitter.com/m5hzBmbCtw
For those who aren’t aware, Fortnite Festival is a rhythm game developed for Epic by Harmonix (best known for Rock Band and the early Guitar Hero titles). It was first released at the end of 2023. In addition to normal controllers, the game also supports Rock Band 4 guitar controllers on Xbox, PlayStation and PC, as well as the recently released PDP Riffmaster.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fortnite-festival-adds-local-co-op-so-you-can-relive-the-glory-days-of-rock-band-and-guitar-hero-190528448.html?src=rss
©
© Epic Games
Renée Zellweger’s blink-and-you-missed-it marriage to country singer Kenny Chesney was so short-lived that even the actress herself sometimes forgets it ever happened — but at the time, it was one of the biggest celebrity dramas around. Twenty years on, let’s look back at what really became of Renée ‘n’ Kenny…
It was at NBC’s Concert of Hope (a tsunami aid telethon) in January 2005 that Zellweger, now 55, and Chesney, now 56, first met — but this was no chance encounter. The Bridget Jones actress had already planned to pass a note to the country star after admiring him from afar. Chesney, meanwhile, had cited her as one of his top celebrity crushes in a 2002 interview with The Tennessean, saying “Here’s a country girl who’s still down to earth. You never see her coming, then — wham! — there she is. And that makes her really, really sexy. Plus she seems like the kind of girl who could fit in and be at home anywhere.” His 1999 song, “You Had Me From Hello,” was also rumored to have been inspired by seeing the actress utter a nearly-identical line in 1996’s Jerry Maguire.
The story, as told by entertainment expert and former People magazine Editor-in-Chief Jess Cagle, goes that after the telethon, where Chesney was performing and Zellweger was answering phones, he approached her and said “I hear you are trying to pass me a note — don’t let the principal find out!” and the pair promptly started getting to know each other.
“They had each other from hello,” said Cagle at the time. “At that point, they exchanged numbers and emails and started this sort of long-distance relationship that became a real romantic thing.”
Shortest Celebrity Marriages: Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries, More!
The first public hint of a romance between the pair came in April, when Zellweger unexpectedly appeared on stage with Chesney at his show in Jacksonville, Florida, presenting him with a margarita and kissing him on the cheek.
This is the part that got everybody talking.
After less than four months of dating, the couple got married in May 2005 in an intimate ceremony at Chesney’s private estate on St.John in the U.S Virgin Islands. Zellweger wore a Carolina Herrera gown and was walked down the aisle by her father, with 35 close friends and family members in attendance.
It all seemed dreamy, but after less than four months, Zellweger filed for an annulment, citing “fraud” as the reason for the split.
When news of the shocking breakup went public, there was fierce speculation about what “fraud” might mean, even leading to intrusive speculation about Chesney’s sexuality (which he later addressed head-on).
Zellweger released a statement to clear things up, saying she wanted to “clarify that the term ‘fraud’ as listed in the documentation is simply legal language and not a reflection of Kenny’s character.” She added: “I would personally be very grateful for your support in refraining from drawing derogatory, hurtful, sensationalized or untrue conclusions and greatly appreciate your understanding that we hope to experience this transition as privately as possible.”
Celebrity Couples Who Had Their Marriages Annulled
Chesney responded to Zellweger’s statement with his own words. “This is an incredibly sad time,” he said. “I just hope everyone can respect the privacy that I know Renée has already asked for.”
But still the gossip rumbled on, forcing the couple to issue yet another statement — this one, together, and via their reps. They said: “The miscommunication of the objective of their marriage at the start is the only reason for this annulment. Renée and Kenny value and respect each other and are saddened that their different objectives prevent the success of this marriage.”
Both stars mostly laid low in the immediate aftermath but in November 2005, two months after the annulment, Chesney was complimentary towards his ex in an interview on The View. “She and I fell in love like a couple of schoolkids,” he said. “I’m glad to know that can happen, that that exists and we still really care about each other. It would’ve been a bad thing if I hadn’t met her. She’s wonderful. I don’t want to sit here and go: ‘Poor me.’ I am totally blessed, and I’m grateful for it.”
Now that more time has passed since the brief, some might say doomed marriage, both parties have felt more able to speak about what really went down.
Biggest Country Music Controversies Through the Years
“I think people need to live their lives the way they want to, but I’m pretty confident in the fact that I love girls,” said Chesney in a 2009 Playboy interview. “I’ve got a long line of girls who could testify that I am not gay. In order for us to get an annulment, the legal papers could claim either physical abuse, which wasn’t true, or three or four other things that also weren’t true. The best thing we could put in there was fraud. So I said, ‘All right, do it. Whatever’.”
In a 2010 interview, he gave a few more details — and it sounded like he simply wasn’t ready for marriage. “I look at my life as a box,” he said. “So everything that I put in — learn how to play guitar, put that in the box. The friends I made. I put that in the box, and my career grew. That box grew into this wonderful house… And you protect everything and all the relationships and all the people that helped you build that house. “It was out of the box. [Renée’s] a sweet soul, no doubt about it, but I just wasn’t ready…. This is the first time I’ve actually talked about it, but that’s what happened.”
In another Playboy interview, in 2015, Chesney was even more reflective about the turn of events, and the impact on his life. “Nothing positive at all in my life came from it, I can tell you that,” he said. “I didn’t have any clue as to what true marriage meant. I was so used to committing to one thing — music — and then I had to totally commit to a second thing, marriage. I didn’t know how. It was a scary moment for me. I had never really had any kind of attention from the paparazzi. It went from zero to the complete other end of the spectrum. I’d go to a concert and there would be helicopters circling, trying to get a picture of me and her together. I thought it would be like that all the time. I just totally panicked. I did the only thing I knew to do: I ran. I pushed her away, in every way possible—to the point where I just didn’t want to be married to her anymore. It’s that simple. I still struggle with it. Was it the right thing to do or not? I still think about her every day. Every day I wonder if she’s okay. I mean, you don’t just fall out of love with somebody.”
More recently, in a 2023 interview with Billboard, Chesney talked about how his experience with Zellweger had made him conduct his life more privately. “One of the reasons I’m so private is when my life started to change and people started caring at a different level, the only thing I could keep to myself was the intimate details of my life,” he said. “What is interesting is we were playing stadiums already, and after that … I didn’t have social anxiety before that, then you add our success and then you add that to your life and you have a little bit of social anxiety. And now, dealing with the way the world is today and how social everything is, and how information is transferred — yeah, you’d have to be crazy to want to be a celebrity today.”
Messiest Country Music Splits: Shania and Mutt, Kelly and Brandon, More
Zellweger has also spoken about the tumultuous period of her life, and said in a 2016 interview with The Advocate that the speculation about Chesney’s sexuality really upset her. “It made me sad that somehow people were using that as a way to be cruel and calling someone gay as a pejorative, which has fateful consequences,” she said. “Of course, there’s the bigger-picture problem of why anyone had to make up a story at all. I’m an old-fashioned gal who doesn’t feel it’s appropriate to hang out your laundry on the lawn. I feel you devalue yourself as a human being when you share very personal things with a bajillion strangers who are making fun of you. I just don’t see that there’s any dignity in that.”
Zellweger added that she often forgot the marriage had ever happened, saying “It’s a pretty big thing to forget, isn’t it?”
Looking back, it seems like these two just got carried away with the romance and passion of falling in love after admiring each other from afar — but forgot to actually figure out if they were compatible. Both in their mid thirties at the time, getting married probably felt like the obvious thing to do.
Renee Zellweger and Ant Anstead's Whirlwind Romance: Relationship Timeline
Two decades later, both are in long-term relationships — just not with each other. Chesney has been dating model and dancer Mary Nolan since 2012 — and their relationship is extremely private — while Zellweger has been with British TV star and motor specialist Ant Anstead since 2021. Interestingly, though, neither party has ever married again; did those disastrous few months put them both off for life?
From “Magic” to “Right Round,” Pitch Perfect’s all-male a capella group the Treblemakers sang many hit songs in the 2012 comedy — but star Adam DeVine says one hit sticks out to him.
“My favorite song that I sang in Pitch Perfect [with the Treblemakers] was ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ by Rihanna,” DeVine, 41, reveals exclusively in the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now. “I still have the whole dance memorized. I destroy at karaoke with that one.”
The movie — which also stars Anna Kendrick, Skylar Astin and Rebel Wilson — opens on DeVine (as Bumper) singing the 2007 Rihanna hit alongside the Treblemakers at the International Championship of Collegiate A Capella.
DeVine finishes the song in a split, which prompts ICCA commentator Gail Abernathy-McKadden (Elizabeth Banks) to exclaim, “Sexy man splits!” while her colleague John Smith (John Michael Higgins) replies, “His pain is our gain, Gail.”
Aca-Awesome! See the ‘Pitch Perfect’ Cast’s Sweet Reunions
DeVine — who cohosts the iHeartRadio podcast “This Is Important” with his Workaholics costars Anders Holm, Blake Anderson and Kyle Newachek — went on to star in the sequel, Pitch Perfect 2, and a Peacock spinoff series based on his character, Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin.
Keep scrolling for more fun facts from DeVine, including why he considers season 1 of Workaholics to be the proudest moment of his career:
1. My favorite song that I sang in Pitch Perfect [with the Treblemakers] was “Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna. I still have the whole dance memorized. I destroy at karaoke with that one.
2. I used to collect Pez [dispensers].
3. The most surprising thing I’ve learned since welcoming [my first child] Beau [last March] is that I don’t mind changing a poop-filled diaper. It’s no big deal when it’s your son. I’ll do anything to help out the lil homie. The better question might be what haven’t I learned. Becoming a parent truly changes your perspective on life and turns your priorities upside down.
4. A cheeseburger and french fries from In-N-Out is my favorite comfort meal.
5. My first car was a 1993 Cavalier Convertible. It was white with spray-painted red hubcaps and a salvaged title!
6. My most starstruck moment was meeting Kobe Bryant backstage at some awards show. I’m a basketball fan, and I didn’t know I would be seeing him. I lost my mind.
Celebrities Share Their Favorite Karaoke Songs
7. I could watch all three Lord of the Rings movies for the rest of my life.
8. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is my favorite book.
9. Jennifer Love Hewitt was my celebrity crush growing up.
10. My alternate profession would be a radio DJ. I love comedy too much to not be able to do it in some way.
11. When I was still in school, I was great in the passing periods. I really shined while walking to the next class.
12. Growing up, I always thought Green Day was the coolest band.
13. Zac Efron is probably the most famous person in my phone book. He’s so damn famous!
14. My dream collaborator is Shaggy. I want to do a reggaeton album with him.
15. The proudest moment of my career was finishing season 1 of Workaholics. I knew I had just done something special with my best friends. I miss doing that show. I didn’t realize how good I had it.
16. My favorite way to spend the weekend is just by taking it easy with no plans. I’m at the age where a nice relaxing weekend sounds great.
17. I would like to travel more. This world is big and beautiful. I want to be on my deathbed and smile, knowing I saw it all.
18. I don’t binge-watch TV shows — I savor — but that being said, I just rewatched Narcos: Mexico in three days.
‘Pitch Perfect’ Cast: Where Are They Now?
19. My first job was as a bag boy in a grocery store.
20. I took a bath for maybe the third time in my adult life last week [and thought to myself], “Why haven’t I been doing this all the time? It’s great.”
21. The childhood memory that makes me smile is fishing with my dad. I hope to create those types of lasting memories with my son. I hope he’s not expecting to catch anything, though — I’m a much worse fisherman than my father.
22. I learned how to act in a sitcom from working on Modern Family. The dialogue is so fast-paced and snappy — I learned how to keep it tight and right. I love that show so much.
23. I’m one hell of a hacky sacker.
24. The app I use the most is MyFitnessPal. By planning out my week and tracking my food, I can stay accountable and keep my long-term health goals in mind without letting setbacks — hello, beer! — discourage me. [This] is my year! I’m hoping to finally have abs… in my 40s.
25. My favorite place to vacation is Hawaii. I fell in love with it while shooting Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates.
Fran Drescher‘s Golden Globes look was no doubt stunning, inspiring curiosity as to which products the age-defying 67-year-old used for the big night. Thankfully, celebrity makeup artist Gregory Arlt spilled the tea to Us — and we were taken aback by the fact that the “Italian movie star”-inspired look was actually accessible! The Nanny actress’ flawless skin was prepped with a hydrating primer from Laura Geller Beauty, which you can shop right on Amazon.
Golden Globes Beauty! 24 Exact Products Worn by the Stars to Shop Now
Laura Geller Beauty is a makeup line formulated with mature skin in mind, so all of its products complement women of any age. Arlt leaned into the old Hollywood glam trend seen everywhere on the Red Carpet, taking notes from Audrey Hepburn. He began with a fan-favorite, Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer Hydrate, using it to prep the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG-AFTRA) President’s skin. Arlt added that it’s “his go-to primer for Drescher to help blur any pores or fine lines while holding foundation in place to keep skin looking fresh for a long night out.”
See Laura Geller Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer Hydrate for $36 on Amazon!
We’ve been obsessed with hydrating primers lately due to their ability to make skin look like it has a real-life filter, especially in winter. A cross between skincare and makeup, Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer in Hydrate is infused with hyaluronic acid, glycerin and antioxidants that nourish skin while creating a flawless base for makeup. Many users even say they can skip foundation after using this primer!
Among the thousands of 5-star reviews, one devotee wrote, “Love this stuff,” noting that it’s “great that if I put it on and I’m in a hurry, I don’t even feel the need to put on foundation!”
Jodie Foster Wore This ‘Dewy’ Foundation That Is Incredible for Mature Skin
“This has been a game changer for me and a mainstay in my makeup vanity for the last five or so years now,” a second shopper confirms. “It really does work to smooth out your skin and all your makeup, to set on it instead of settling into your pores.” They add that while “the hydrating version is my go-to,” they also find that the “Diamond is great for a more glowy look,” referring to the luminous version of the Spackle Primer.
Still, while the reviews are no doubt lovely, it’s worth seeing this pick in action — the before-and-after photos will make your jaw drop! And if the goal is to keep makeup in place all day or night, or you’re looking for a refreshing skin-perfecter on days you go makeup-free, scoop up this industry insider pick today.
See Laura Geller Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer Hydrate for $36 on Amazon!
Keri Russell Wore This Celeb-Loved Foundation at the Golden Globes
Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!
© ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images
Managerless Argyle, who are bottom of the Championship, triumphed away to the Bees, while Chelsea demolished Morecambe and Bournemouth hammered West Brom
© Action Images via Reuters
© PA Wire
