The daily gossip: Olivia Rodrigo visits the White House, Nicolas Cage's pet crow speaks English, and more

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Jump to category:

1. Ms. Rodrigo goes to Washington
2. Nicolas Cage has a pet crow that says 'hi' and 'bye'
3. J.B. Smoove accidentally joined Shark Week thinking it was Shark Tank
4. Phantom Thread actress Vicky Krieps lit candles every morning 'to not be nominated' for an Oscar
5. Priyanka Chopra appears to pointedly snub Prince William and Kate Middleton

published 14 July 2021

1. Ms. Rodrigo goes to Washington

Despite concerns that Olivia Rodrigo wouldn't be able to parallel park in Washington, D.C., the 18-year-old pop star successfully made it to the White House on Wednesday to meet with President Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci and urge young people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. "I am beyond honored and humbled to be here today to help spread the message about the importance of youth vaccination," she said, telling her fans to "have conversations with friends and family members encouraging all communities to get vaccinated." But while Press Secretary Jen Psaki cheesily quipped that Rodrigo "traversed red lights and stop signs to see us," you know she didn't drive herself while wearing those magnificent platform heels.

In case you hadn't heard, for his next movie Nicolas Cage will play a man distraught over the kidnapping of his beloved pig. But while the premise might sound silly, Cage told GQ that his "bad dreams" about potentially losing his cat, Merlin, helped him prepare for the role. "I had nightmares," Cage said. "And I told this to Michael [Sarnoski], the director. I said I already have it in my psyche, in my imagination, in my emotions. I know how to play this part without acting." Cage further described his "unconditional love" of his animals, like his pet cobras, octopus, and crow named Huginn. "He's wonderful," Cage said of Huginn. "He seems to understand a little language. When I enter the room he says 'hi,' when I leave the room he says 'bye.'"

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Avowed Shark Tank fan J.B. Smoove got "tunnel vision" when his agent called him about making an appearance on Discovery's Shark Week, and he inadvertently signed up to participate in the eight-day shark marathon thinking it was the entrepreneurial reality TV show. The comedian ultimately had to get certified to dive in the Bahamas in order to appear on Brad Paisley's Shark Country as a result, but he told Vulture he "felt right at home" channeling his inner "Black Dolphin." "How can I benefit from this mistake and still get a chance to pitch my amazing ideas for Shark Tank, even though it was clear that this was not Shark Tank?" he mused, adding: "Maybe I can [manifest] an idea that revolves around the Black Dolphin."

It's been waaaay too long since we've heard from Vicky Krieps, the 37-year-old Luxembourgian actress who memorably poisoned Daniel Day-Lewis' character with mushrooms in 2017's Phantom Thread. But while the film ended up scoring six Oscar nominations, including best picture, Krieps was memorably snubbed. "I remember Daniel saying to me that he was angry I was not nominated," Krieps recalled to The Irish Times. "I looked at him and I smiled. I had started lighting a candle every morning to not be nominated." Most people would resort to spiritual means to win an Oscar, but not Krieps: "I know I know sounds weird, but I was scared of it," she said. "I wasn't sure what it would do to me. I felt it was sort of a poison."

Duke and Duchess who? Priyanka Chopra pulled some real queen s--t at Wimbledon over the weekend, at least judging by a video published by The Daily Mail on Wednesday. In the footage, the actress appeared to pointedly ignore Prince William and Kate Middleton as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge entered the Royal Box, failing to clap with the rest of the crowd. "Further photos show Priyanka appearing to look away from the royal couple while standing on the Centre Court balcony," The Daily Mail adds. So why the cold shoulder? The rumor is it's because Chopra is pals with Meghan Markle, who has publicly claimed Kate made her cry before her wedding. Snubbing the future king of England and his wife? Now that's having bestie's back.

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.