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9 Things To Spot In The New Trailer For Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey

Posted on 06/05/2026 by Boris Clair

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A new full-length trailer for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has been unveiled – and it’s pretty clear that this is going to be the cinema event of 2026.

Nolan’s follow-up to the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer was already being touted as his most ambitious to date, adapting a truly epic classic story with an all-star cast using exciting new technology.

While the first teaser for the movie was first released last year – offering a first glimpse at the film’s central figures, played by Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland – this new two-minute offering gives fans a glimpse at even more of what’s in store, including plenty more of the A-listers set to appear.

Here are nine of our biggest takeaways…

1. The new trailer for The Odyssey gives us a proper look at the dynamic between Tom Holland’s Telemachus and Robert Pattinson’s Antinous

Robert Pattinson and Tom Holland in The Odyssey

Antinous is determined to marry Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, which makes for plenty of tension between Robert Pattinson’s character and Tom Holland’s Telemachus.

“You’re pining for a daddy you didn’t even know,” Rob’s character retorts, in one of the most-cited parts of the new trailer. “Like some snivelling bastard.”

2. Meanwhile, Anne Hathaway’s Penelope gives some serious attitude that we’re definitely here for

Anne Hathaway as Penelope in the latest trailer for The Odyssey

Anne Hathaway’s character was first revealed in The Odyssey’s original teaser, but this new trailer offers a more in-depth look at Penelope.

Specifically, we see how she deals with the Ithacan suitors who pursue her in her husband’s absence – and while there’s a tendency to depict Penelope as passive or subservient, Anne’s version of her has decidedly more agency.

In particular, when Robert Pattinson’s Antinous tries his luck, she shuts him down flat, telling him plainly that “Ithaca’s king is coming back”.

3. We also get a look at Odysseus and Penelope’s relationship in their younger years

Anne Hathaway and Matt Damon's characters share an intimate moment in The Odyssey — Anne Hathaway and Matt Damon’s characters share an intimate moment in The Odyssey

Matt Damon spends most of the trailer – and, presumably, most of the film – sporting silver hair and a beard, as Odysseus continues his long journey home.

At the beginning of the trailer, though, we get to see Odysseus and Penelope much earlier on in their relationship, allowing us to become more invested in their romance before they’re totally separated.

4. There’s also a first glimpse of Charlize Theron’s character and a truly unrecognisable John Leguiziamo

John Leguiziamo and Charlize Theron in The Odyssey

Charlize Theron is actually one of the first famous faces we see in the new footage.

She’s set to play Calypso, a nymph who tries to stop Odysseus from returning to Ithaca and instead live as her husband.

John Leguiziamo, meanwhile, portrays Eumaeus, a servant to Odysseus and his family (in the brief clip we see, Tom Holland’s Telemachus is confiding in him about whether his dad will ever return to Ithaca).

5. As was always to be expected, we have some truly epic sequences to look forward to

Fight sequences, epic expeditions, peril, romance, war… The Odyssey has got it all.

If anyone were qualified to bring these kinds of scenes to life, it’s Christopher Nolan, who has already proved his mettle in the likes of Interstellar, Tenet and, of course, Oppenheimer.

6. The Odyssey trailer also includes a snippet of Christopher Nolan’s take on the Trojan War

The infamous "Trojan horse" as seen in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey — The infamous “Trojan horse” as seen in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey

Yep, there’s that iconic wooden horse that started it all.

7. Odysseus has plenty to contend with on his way back to Ithaca – with the new clip teasing the giant cyclops Polyphemus

The giant cyclops is just one foe Odysseus has to contend with on his journey

We genuinely can’t wait to lean over to the person next to us in the cinema and say “that’s you”.

8. There’s a very cute puppy in The Odyssey

Judging by the looks of things, we’re going to need the relief, to be honest.

9. Excitingly, there’s still plenty more being kept under wraps, too

Zendaya is expected to portray the Greek goddess Athena in The Odyssey

The new trailer for The Odyssey gives us just enough to pique our interest, but this taster is far from the full thing.

Zendaya, Himesh Patel, Mia Goth, Lupita Nyong’o and Travis Scott are among the stars whose characters don’t appear in the new trailer, as well as Nolan regulars Elliot Page and Benny Safdie.

Plenty of mythical beings that Odysseus encounters on his journey are also left out of the new trailer – perhaps most notably the deathly “sirens” who try to lure him to his death through temptation.

The Odyssey hits cinemas on Friday 17 July.

Fans Have One More Reason To Be Excited Ahead Of The Boys Season 5 Finale

Posted on 06/05/2026 by Boris Clair

Those looking forward to the last ever episode of The Boys will have the option to watch the whole thing play out in cinemas, as well as streaming it at home.

What’s more, the whole thing will be playing out in 4DX, adding even more drama to the finale.

On Tuesday afternoon, a post on The Boys’ official social media accounts announced: “In two weeks, we’re going out with a bang. Literally, because ya might vibrate watchin’ the series finale in 4DX.

“Get yer mitts on a seat with the purchase of a concession voucher, which is good towards sweets or soda the day of.”

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In two weeks, we’re going out with a bang. Literally, because ya might vibrate watchin’ the series finale in 4DX. Get yer mitts on a seat with the purchase of a concession voucher, which is good towards sweets or soda the day of. See ya May 19 at 9:30 p.m. https://t.co/C7AE0aE0Xs pic.twitter.com/dO5Mey0Msi

— THE BOYS (@TheBoysTV) May 5, 2026

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See ya May 19 at 9:30 p.m. https://t.co/C7AE0aE0Xs pic.twitter.com/dO5Mey0Msi— THE BOYS (@TheBoysTV) May 5, 2026\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":1350,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HHkKUEObcAA2psA.jpg:large","thumbnail_width":1080,"title":"THE BOYS on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/TheBoysTV/status/2051682448640188609","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isMobile":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"69fadea1e4b04a49ec0c0b4e","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/the-boys-season-5-finale-announcement_uk_69fadea1e4b04a49ec0c0b4e","entryTagsList":"we-love-tv,the-boys","sectionSlug":"entertainment","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"isShopping":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.entertainment","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":4},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":0},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"69fadea1e4b04a49ec0c0b4e","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"we love tv","slug":"we-love-tv","links":{"relativeLink":"news/we-love-tv","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/we-love-tv","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/we-love-tv"},"section":{"title":"Entertainment","slug":"entertainment"},"topic":{"title":"We Love TV","slug":"we-love-tv","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/we-love-tv/"},{"name":"The boys","slug":"the-boys","links":{"relativeLink":"news/the-boys","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/the-boys","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/the-boys"},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/the-boys/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"signInUrl":"https://login.huffpost.com/login?dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffpost.com%2Fentry%2Fthe-boys-season-5-finale-announcement_uk_69fadea1e4b04a49ec0c0b4e%3Fhp_auth_done%3D1","cetUnit":"buzz_body","enableIncontentPlayer":true,"bodyAds":["

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In two weeks, we’re going out with a bang. Literally, because ya might vibrate watchin’ the series finale in 4DX. Get yer mitts on a seat with the purchase of a concession voucher, which is good towards sweets or soda the day of. See ya May 19 at 9:30 p.m. https://t.co/C7AE0aE0Xs pic.twitter.com/dO5Mey0Msi

— THE BOYS (@TheBoysTV) May 5, 2026

For those who’ve not experienced 4DX, it incorporates effects like wind, rain, mist and even smells to make viewers feel even more immersed in what they’re watching, while the cinema seats also move in correspondence with what’s happening on the big screen.

HuffPost UK has contacted The Boys for clarification on whether this cinematic release will also be taking place in the UK.

Late last year, Netflix also gave Stranger Things fans the option to watch the finale in cinemas – albeit in the US only.

Since then, the most recent season of The Traitors was given the same treatment, with the reality show’s dramatic conclusion airing at select cinemas around the UK earlier in the year.

The Boys finale will be airing in two weeks’ time, on Tuesday 19 May.

Last month, it was announced that spin-off series Gen V had been cancelled by Prime Video after two seasons.

Executive producers Eric Kripke and Evan Goldberg said in a statement: “While we wish we could keep the party going another season at Godolkin, we’re committed to continuing the Gen V characters’ stories in The Boys season five and other VCU projects on the horizon.”

“You’ll see them again,” they added.

‘A Head-Spinning Day’: BBC Correspondent Brands Trump ‘Erratic’ For Ditching ‘Project Freedom’

Posted on 06/05/2026 by Boris Clair

A BBC correspondent branded Donald Trump “erratic” after he ditched his latest attempt to re-open the Strait of Hormuz barely a day after launching it.

The US president claimed he was temporarily ending Project Freedom “based on the request of Pakistan and other countries”.

He said it was being “paused for a short period of time” to see whether a peace deal could be agreed to end the war in Iran.

His comments, in a post on Truth Social, came just hours after US secretary of state Marco Rubio said Project Freedom was needed to save “23,000 civilians from 87 different countries that are trapped … and left for dead in the Persian Gulf.”

Iran has affectively closed the Strait of Hormuz – a vital waterway which carried one-fifth of the world’s oil supply before the war – since America and Israel started bombing the country on February 28.

Since then, more than 1,000 tankers have been left stranded in the region.

Trump announced at the weekend that the US Navy would “guide” stranded ships through the Strait.

However, only two made it through before he announced that Project Freedom was being halted.

On Radio 4′s Today programme on Wednesday, BBC US correspondent David Willis said: “What are we to make of all this? Well, Project Freedom had antagonised Iran, which had fired missiles and drones at US forces in the area.

“And Iran had threatened to effectively put an end to the fragile ceasefire by maintaining control of the Strait of Hormuz. Added to which it had only led to the passage of two merchant ships through the Strait, albeit it had only been in effect for a day.

“Did the US, I wonder, perhaps feel it was backfiring? We’ll have to wait and see.”

He added: ”[It has been] a head-spinning day even by Donald Trump’s somewhat erratic standards.

“The question now is where does this leave the 1,600 or so ships that remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, some of which have been there for getting on three months now.

“The US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, said earlier that hundreds of commercial vessels were lining up to be guided through the Strait of Hormuz by the US navy. What happens to them now, and indeed the precious commodities such as oil and fertiliser that the US was also hoping to liberate?”

Subscribe to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

May’s ‘Beautiful’ Meteor Shower Is About To Have Its Brightest Show

Posted on 05/05/2026 by Boris Clair

In April, stargazers got to enjoy the Lyrid meteor shower.

But if you missed it, don’t worry: since April 18, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower has also been falling, and it’s set to peak this week.

Here’s why it happens, when it’ll be at its brightest in the UK, and how to catch it:

What is the Eta Aquariid meteor shower?

As with the Lyrid meteor shower, it’s not that the comets are “shooting” towards us.

They’re part of the debris following a comet (in this case, comet Halley); in our journey around the sun, we pass through this space rubble, some of which then enters our atmosphere.

When they do that, they move so quickly that they compress and superheat the air surrounding them.

That leads to a glowing “head” and, sometimes, a streaking “tail” that stargazers will recognise as part of a meteor shower.

Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) said on its site, “the beautiful streaks we see in the night sky can actually be caused by particles as small as a grain of sand.”

The debris of Halley’s comet is associated with two meteor showers. The other one, Orionid, is due in October 2026.

When will the Eta Aquariid meteor shower peak in the UK?

In the UK, your best odds are on Wednesday, 6 May, from midnight to dawn. But don’t despair if you miss it.

One of the things that makes the Eta Aquariid meteor shower distinct is that it doesn’t have a “sharp peak”, RMG said.

Instead, brilliant shows tend to cluster around a particular week. In 2026, that’s this week (May 4-10).

How can I see the 2025 Eta Aquariid meteor shower?

Look towards the Eastern horizon in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Steer clear of sources of light pollution, like street lamps, and wait. (Unfortunately, the peak of this meteor shower occurs alongside quite a bright moon, which might make the display less obvious).

The meteors should be visible to the naked eye, so you won’t need any special tools like binoculars.

19 Must-See Celebrity Looks From The 2026 Met Gala Red Carpet

Posted on 05/05/2026 by Boris Clair

Every year, the Met Gala gathers together some of the most famous faces from across the world of music, cinema, sport and, of course, fashion for a star-studded fundraiser in aid of the Metropolitan Museum Of Art’s Costume Institute.

This year’s event was held on Monday night, and proved to be as A-list as ever.

Co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and, as ever, Anna Wintour, the themed dress code of 2026’s Met Ball was “Fashion Is Art” – really allowing the famous guests to think outside the box and let their imaginations run wild when putting together their red carpet looks.

And what do you know – some of them actually did.

On that note, we’ve pieced together some of the must-see looks from this year’s Met Gala, from some of the biggest stars on the planet…

Beyoncé

As one of the organisers of the Met Gala this year, Beyoncé will have known that all eyes were on her on the red carpet.

Leaning into the elaborate theme, the Break My Soul singer sported this glittering, skeletal-inspired look on the red carpet, where she was joined by her husband Jay-Z and eldest daughter Blue Ivy Carter, marking the 14-year-old’s Met Ball debut.

Sam Smith

Sam Smith has become renowned for their dramatic approach to fashion in recent history, and this year’s Met Ball really afforded them the chance to go all out.

Channelling Norma Desmond, the British star gave us old school Hollywood glamour in a floor-length black dress complete with bejeweled adornments, billowing sleeves and a feather headpiece.

Madonna

Madonna’s Met Gala look was a real departure from what we’re used to seeing the Queen of Pop in, opting for something more gothic, dark and, frankly, weird that we’re totally here for.

The Bring Your Love singer’s ensemble was directly inspired by a Leonora Carrington painting, in one of the night’s more literal interpretations of “Fashion Is Art”.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe brings it every single Met Ball, and a theme like “Fashion Is Art” was always going to be in their wheelhouse.

The 10-time Grammy nominee mixed the old and new with their imaginative look, which incorporated elements of nature and technology, merging moss and butterflies with wires and microchips.

Luke Evans

Dressed in head-to-toe leather, Luke Evans’ look was an obvious nod to Tom Of Finland.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight on the Met Ball red carpet, the Welsh actor said that “playing such an iconic character on stage” in the current Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show made him want to put a “twist” on an “iconic gay artist who has influenced so much”.

Gwendoline Christie

Former Game Of Thrones star Gwnendoline Christie has never been one to shy away from leaning into a Met Gala theme.

On Monday night, her look consisted of a massive feathered hat and a floor-length red dress nodding to faded glamour – but our favourite part of the whole ensemble was the hand-held mirror, adorned with a recreation of her own face.

Katy Perry

Perhaps inspired by her own trip to space last year, Katy Perry’s Met Gala look consisted of what appeared to be a fencing mask, with a shiny and opaque face covering on the front.

As she made her way down the red carpet, Katy revealed that the mask also swung open, adding even further to its futuristic elements (and putting us slightly in mind of a Star Wars villain).

Emma Chamberlain

We’re going to be very honest and say that content creator Emma Chamberlain was not exactly the person we thought was going to turn it out the hardest at Monday night’s event – but you can’t argue with this look can you?

In fact, the influencer may have just given us our favourite Met Gala look of 2026, with the dripping paint effect creating an optical illusion that really served the night’s theme.

Chase Infiniti

Fresh from her Oscar nomination and leading performance in the new Handmaid’s Tale spin-off The Testaments, Chase Infiniti’s Met Gala debut was also one of our favourites from this year’s event.

The One Battle After Another star’s colourful dress almost put us in mind of painting-by-numbers (in the best way!), with its graphic design.

Sarah Paulson

On its own, Sarah Paulson’s expansive, red carpet look would have been show-stopping enough, putting us in mind of a presidential ball as much as an event like the Met Gala – but that dollar bill blindfold accessory really gives it something extra.

Sadly, even though Madonna was there too, we didn’t get a recreation of one of our favourite moments in Met Ball history.

Ben Platt

One of the more literal “Fashion Is Art” ensembles came from Ben Platt, wearing a colourful suit inspired by one of Georges Pierre Seurat’s most famous works.

The Seurat painting, of course, was also the basis of the iconic Stephen Sondheim production Sunday In The Park With George, which makes Tony winner Ben wearing it all the more fitting.

SZA

SZA’s Met Gala look consisted of a layered gown in this absolutely gorgeous yellow colour, as well as a floral headpiece and some beaded face jewellery for the evening.

Our favourite part of the whole look, though, was just how much of a blast the Good Days singer was clearly having wearing it.

Lisa

Extra body parts always go down well on the Met Ball red carpet, and Lisa’s look was no exception.

The jury’s out on whether “Fashion Is Art” really came into play here, but we just think the Blackpink and White Lotus star looks really cool, to be honest.

Skepta

Another big name doing the UK proud on the Met Gala red carpet was Brit Award nominee Skepta.

The rapper made a big impression in this matching white co-ord, which he later revealed was adorned with embroidery inspired by his own tattoos, as well as his own song lyrics.

Nicole Kidman

Listen, Nicole Kidman never misses on the red carpet, but given how imaginative some people were with their looks, this feels a little out of place.

We’ve mostly mentioned it in this round-up so we can include her explanation for it.

“Fashion is art and I wanted something red, because I wanted to embrace the way in which red has been used in art through the years,” she apparently claimed.

Just fantastic stuff

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian’s latest Met Ball look consisted of a molded bodysuit in an eye-catching shade of orange.

Again, it wasn’t exactly our favourite outfit of the evening, but given just how synonymous with the Met Gala that Kim K has become, we just had to include her, alright.

Heidi Klum

This year, Halloween came early, with Heidi Klum unveiling one of her trademark dramatic transformations six months before her usual spooky season bash.

For the 2026 Met Ball, Heidi transformed herself into a living artpiece, paying homage to 19th century sculpture with the aid of prosthetics and unconventional materials to deliver one of the night’s most talked-about looks.

Bad Bunny

And speaking of prosthetics – Bad Bunny’s look was certainly an unconventional one, too.

The recent Super Bowl headliner walked the red carpet as an older version of itself, which it’s been pointed out was a probable nod to “The Aging Body”, a key element of the Met’s Costume Institute’s exhibit this year.

Rihanna

Rihanna’s position as Queen of the Met Gala is safe for another year.

Her latest Met Ball look was another mix of the old and new – offering an unconventional silhouette and undoubtedly the night’s most intricate adornments.

We absolutely love what she did with her hair, too, with her partner A$AP Rocky also joining her on the red carpet later on, sporting a baby pink overcoat and tuxedo.

How Are The Parties Really Feeling Ahead Of Thursday’s Elections?

Posted on 05/05/2026 by Boris Clair

This Thursday will present the largest test of the Labour government – and its rival parties – since the last general election nearly two years ago.

Around 5,000 seats across 136 local councils, along with six mayoral contests, are up for election in England.

Voters in Scotland and Wales will also go to the polls for elections to Holyrood and the Senedd.

Labour are widely expected to suffer a catastrophic night, piling fresh pressure on Keir Starmer.

The Tories are expected to endure significant losses too, with the Greens and especially Reform UK on course to make huge gains as voters deliver a damning verdict on the two main parties.

Here, HuffPost UK assesses how the main parties are shaping up ahead of the biggest test of public opinion since July, 2024.

Labour

Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks with residents at Newton Leys pavilion to discuss how the government is implementing policies to ease the cost of living as he campaigns ahead of local elections scheduled for May 7 on April 1, 2026

Pollsters’ prediction? Top forecaster Lord Hayward warned Labour will lose 1,850 council seats. That means the party could be left with barely a quarter of the 2,550 councillors they currently have in the areas which are up for re-election.

YouGov does not expect Labour to win any constituency seats in Scotland at all, with their predicted 15 seats coming from the regional top-up lists.

Labour is also expected to lose power in the Welsh parliament for the first time since it was established in 1999, with YouGov predicting the party’s vote share will drop to 13% – down 23 points on the 2021 election.

That means Labour could end up with just 12 of the Senedd’s 96 seats.

What’s the mood within the party? Understandably bleak.

Starmer is actively calling for his party to support him amid rising fears of a leadership challenge from his main rivals Angela Rayner, Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting.

One party insider said: “We’re resigned to taking a significant knock, but are still standing and trying to get out as many votes as possible.”

“I just think Labour are fucked either way,” another source said candidly.

In a rare moment of optimism, campaigners also said voters have been “disinterested” rather than actively hostile to Labour activists – which was an improvement on what they were expecting.

One insider told HuffPost UK that deputy prime minister David Lammy had told activists over the weekend that the row which hit Zack Polanksi in the wake of last week’s Golders Green attacks could damage the Greens.

This sparked some hope that the party could claw back some of their supporters.

Conservatives

Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Conservative Party meets party supporters during a visit to Sunderland on April 02, 2026 in Sunderland, United Kingdom.

Pollsters’ prediction? The Tories are expected to lose 600 councillors in England, according to Lord Hayward.

YouGov expects the Tory vote to fall to just 8% of the vote in Holyrood – that would be the worst ever result for the party at any election within Scotland.

Predictions suggest the Tories would go from having 31 seats in 2021 to just seven.

The pollster also predicts the Tories will end up with just three seats in Wales.

What’s the mood within the party? Not very optimistic.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s own leadership has been strengthened in recent months as she’s improved her PMQs appearance – and her main challenger, Robert Jenrick has defected to Reform.

But that does not necessarily translate to votes – especially as the Tories are still being punished for their 14 years in power.

One traditionally Conservative voter stunned the public this week by announcing she would be backing Labour instead, just to keep the Greens out.

Anecdotally, HuffPost UK has heard other Tories telling door-knockers they planned to do the same. The party did not respond when approached for comment.

Reform UK

Pollsters’ prediction? Hayward expects Reform to gain 1,550 seats in England.

The party is expected to make a bmajor reakthrough in Scotland, according to YouGov, winning 20 MSPs in total and replacing Labour as the official opposition to the SNP.

Reform is also in a close fight with Plaid Cymru to be the largest party in the Welsh Senedd.

What’s the mood within the party? Understandably upbeat.

Reform are set to win their first seats in Wales and Scotland after more than a year of leading in the national opinion polls.

Nigel Farage told The Sunday Times he expected the party to do “stunningly well”.

He claimed Reform would be taking “Labour heartlands” in the local elections – Yorkshire, the northwest, the northeast, parts of the Midlands and the Welsh Valleys.

But there are suggestions that support for the party has already peaked, with its polling numbers declining over the past six months.

Farage also skipped a grilling from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday. That came after reports he accepted an undisclosed £5 million donation from a billionaire supporter before he ran to be an MP.

His team said he decided to pull out last minute to campaign in his Clacton constituency, but critics suggested he was dodging scrutiny.

The party courted further controversy on Sunday by announcing plans to put detention centres for illegal migrants in constituencies and councils which vote Green.

Greens

(L-R) Councillor and Green Party candidate for Mayor of Lewisham, Liam Shrivastava and Green Party Leader Zack Polanski pose with supporters holding placards during Lewisham Green Party's 'Big Day Out' at the Fox and Firkin on April 11, 2026 — (L-R) Councillor and Green Party candidate for Mayor of Lewisham, Liam Shrivastava and Green Party Leader Zack Polanski pose with supporters holding placards during Lewisham Green Party’s ‘Big Day Out’ at the Fox and Firkin on April 11, 2026

Pollsters’ prediction? The Greens are set to see its number of councillors in England increase by 500, according to Hayward, mainly in London and other middle class areas of major cities.

The Greens are predicted to enjoy a small boost in Scotland, up from their current eight seats to 11, according to YouGov.

YouGov also expects the party to win seven seats in Wales, meaning it could come in fourth place behind Labour in the Senedd.

What’s the mood within the party? Hopeful – but cautious.

Leader Zack Polanski was forced to apologise last week after sharing a social media post which criticised the police response to a terror attack in Golders Green.

While Labour are hopeful this will reduce the number of voters willing to support their left-wing competitors, a Green insider suggested it would not have too much cut-through.

One senior figure in the party also insisted it was all “very positive” on the doorstep, but campaigners have been more cautious behind the scenes.

“There’s been a lot of hype about us wiping out Labour in London, and we’re definitely going to have a record-breaking result. At the same time, I think people forget the base we’re coming from,” they said, pointing to Greens’ poor performance at London’s last local elections in 2021.

“It’s going to be very good for us but perhaps some of the more apocalyptic predictions forget the context we’re coming from,” the source claimed.

Lib Dems

Liberal Democrat party leader Sir Ed Davey (C), along with Roger Harmer, leader of Birmingham Liberal Democrats (CL), launches their local election campaign at The Roundhouse on April 10, 2026

Pollsters’ prediction? The Lib Dems are on course to gain 150 seats in the local elections, according to Hayward.

YouGov expects the centrist party to take nine seats in Scotland (up from its current four) but secure just three seats in Wales.

What’s the mood within the party? Surprisingly upbeat.

The Lib Dems have been trailing in the national opinion polls for some time, outshone by the traditional parties and the populist groups.

Behind the scenes, MPs have been unhappy with Ed Davey’s leadership for months, frustrated with his “gimmicks”.

But, with these elections, the party has developed a clear strategy – focusing on local council issues in the hope of taking more seats in England.

There’s even been some speculation they could become the largest party in English local government, especially with Labour and the Tories expecting to endure major losses.

SNP

SNP MSP Candidate for Stirling Alyn Smith (C-L), First Minister John Swinney (C) and Deputy Leader of the SNP Keith Brown (C-R) pose for a photo after a campaign stump speech at the King's Knot on May 01, 2026 — SNP MSP Candidate for Stirling Alyn Smith (C-L), First Minister John Swinney (C) and Deputy Leader of the SNP Keith Brown (C-R) pose for a photo after a campaign stump speech at the King’s Knot on May 01, 2026

Pollsters’ prediction? The SNP is once again on course to comfortably win the Scottish Parliament election.

YouGov predicted the SNP could win 67 seats in Holyrood – giving the party an overall majority. But More in Common and Lord Hayward have both said they will fall short.

What’s the mood within the party? Very happy.

If the polls are correct, the SNP is heading for a remarkable third decade in power, after first being elected way back in 2007.

This is despite criticism of their handling of the Scottish NHS, education system and other public services during nearly 20 years in power.

While questions remain over whether the party will be able to clinch a majority, they are set to benefit from the major splits between Scottish Labour and the Westminster government.

Labour leader Anas Sarwar called for Starmer to step down earlier this year in the hope of distancing himself from Downing Street’s disasters, but the move does not seem to have won over voters.

The Nationalists have also pledged to call for a second Scottish independence referendum if they win a majority.

Plaid Cymru

Pollsters’ prediction? The pro-independence party is only standing in the Welsh devolved election. Hayward predicted it will be the largest party in terms of votes and seats in Senedd.

However, YouGov predicted it will secure 36 seats – making it just one representative away from Reform’s lead.

What’s the mood within the party? Nervous.

Like the SNP, Plaid Cymru are hoping to capitalise on Labour’s downfall.

Unlike the Scottish Nationalists, they’ve never been in power before and so do not have to contend with their own record in office to win over voters.

But, they do have the new kids on the block to compete with: Reform UK, who are making gains in Wales – and who look set to be the largest unionist party in the Senedd after Thursday.

How Important Will May 7 Actually Be?

Steve Akehurst, director of research initiative Persuasion UK, warned against seeing this set of results as the ideal test of how the public feels.

He told HuffPost UK: “Local elections are an imperfect way of attempting to measure national sentiment.

“In terms of predictions, I think it’s best to wait for the national equivalent vote share later in the weekend.”

The specialist said analysing Reform’s performance will be particularly difficult “given the party basically didn’t exist in 2022, the last time many of these seats were contested.”

But, Akehurst warned: “It’s important to remember that Labour losing seats to Reform is not the same as Labour losing votes to Reform.

“Around the country we have seen the same patterns since the general election – where votes shifting from Reform to Tory, or Labour to Green or Liberal Democrat, led to Labour seats becoming Reform seats with little direct loss of votes from one party to the other.

“That is likely to be the case again at these elections.”

57 Iconic Met Gala Red Carpet Looks That Got The Whole World Talking

Posted on 04/05/2026 by Boris Clair

Every year, on the first Monday in May, the world’s most famous people gather under one roof, dressed in their finest, for the Met Gala.

This means that on the first Tuesday in May, those of us here in the UK spend our mornings scrolling through social media, judging the A-list guests’ red carpet looks (usually while still in our pyjamas).

Well, folks, that fateful day is almost upon us.

So, to prepare for this year’s event – co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman and Venus Williams, with the dress code “costume art” (in honour of the Met’s upcoming exhibit Fashion Is Art) – we’ve rounded up some of the best, most glamorous or, indeed, most outrageous looks in Met Gala history.

Expect repeat appearances from Met Gala staples like Rihanna, Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Kardashian, Madonna and Doja Cat (many of whom we’re expecting big things from at Monday’s gathering.

Happy scrolling…

Rihanna (2015 – China: Through The Looking Glass)

Doja Cat (2023 – Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty)

Blake Lively (2022 – In America: An Anthology Of Fashion)

Rihanna (2025 – Superfine: Tailoring Black Style)

Jared Leto (2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion)

Zendaya (2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion And The Catholic Imagination)

Kim Kardashian (2021 – In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion)

Naomi Campbell (2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion)

Janelle Monáe (2025 – Superfine: Tailoring Black Style)

Rihanna (2023 – Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty)

Madonna (2013 – Punk: Chaos To Couture)

Chadwick Boseman (2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion And The Catholic Imagination)

Cher (1974 – Romantic And Glamorous Hollywood Design)

Lupita Nyong’o (2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion)

Madonna (2025 – Superfine: Tailoring Black Style)

Sarah Jessica Parker (2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion And The Catholic Imagination)

Zendaya (2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion)

Gigi Hadid (2022 – In America: An Anthology Of Fashion)

Rihanna (2017 – Comme Des Garçons: Art Of The In-Between)

Kim Kardashian (2022 – In America: An Anthology Of Fashion)

Beyoncé (2016 – Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology)

Lana Del Rey (2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion And The Catholic Imagination)

Jennifer Lopez (2021 – In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion)

Zayn (2016 – Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology)

Naomi Campbell (1995 – Haute Couture)

Billie Eilish (2021 – In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion)

Billy Porter (2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion)

Zendaya (2025 – Superfine: Tailoring Black Style)

Kim Kardashian (2024 – Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion/The Garden Of Time)

Ariana Grande (2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion And The Catholic Imagination)

Bad Bunny (2023 – Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty)

Sarah Jessica Parker (2006 – AngloMania: Tradition And Transgression In British Fashion)

Zendaya (2024 – Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion/The Garden Of Time)

Céline Dion (2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion)

Miley Cyrus (2013 – Punk: Chaos To Couture)

Demi Moore (2024 – Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion/The Garden Of Time)

Beyoncé (2015 – China: Through the Looking Glass)

Nicole Kidman (2023 – Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty)

Helen Lasichanh (2017 – Comme Des Garçons: Art Of The In-Between)

Lil Nas X (2023 – Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty)

Hailey Bieber (2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion)

Kim Kardashian (2013 – Punk: Chaos To Couture)

Princess Diana (1996 – Christian Dior)

Cardi B (2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion)

Diana Ross (2025 – Superfine: Tailoring Black Style)

Jaden Smith (2017 – Comme Des Garçons: Art Of The In-Between)

Jared Leto (2023 – Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty)

Janelle Monáe (2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion)

Taylor Swift (2016 – Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology)

Lil Nas X (2021 – In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion)

Madonna (2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion And The Catholic Imagination)

Tyla (2024 – Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion/The Garden Of Time)

Timothée Chalamet (2021 – In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion)

Jennifer Lopez (2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion)

Rihanna (2018 – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion And The Catholic Imagination)

Doja Cat (2024 – Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion/The Garden Of Time)

Lady Gaga (2019 – Camp: Notes On Fashion)

‘Establishment Stooge’: Zia Yusuf Unveils ‘Abhorrent’ Plans To Punish Areas Which Do Not Vote Reform

Posted on 04/05/2026 by Boris Clair

Reform UK has been slammed after it revealed a new policy to put migrant detention facilities in constituencies and councils not controlled by its own representatives.

Days out from the local elections in England, and devolved elections in Wales and Scotland, Reform’s home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf declared that a Reform government would “deport all illegal migrants in Britain”.

While waiting to be deported, the migrants would be housed in detention centres for a “couple of weeks”.

Yusuf claimed: “A Reform government will not put any migrant detention facilities in any constituency with a Reform MP.

“Nor will we put them where Reform controls the council.

“And of the remaining areas, we will prioritise Green controlled parliamentary constituencies and Green controlled councils to locate the detention centres.”

Yusuf said this meant if Reform representatives were voted in, they would “guarantee you won’t have a detention centre near you” – but, “if you vote Green, there’s a good chance you will.”

Reform called this “an important exercise in democratic consent”.

The senior Reform figure added: “Given Zack Polanski openly advocates for open borders, we look forward to their warm embrace of this policy.”

Deputy Green leader Mothin Ali said: “Reform keep making abhorrent announcements to distract voters from they fact they want to privatise the NHS.”

A Green Party source told HuffPost UK: “The shine is coming off Nigel Farage, his own voters are starting to see him for the establishment stooge he is.”

Green leader Zack Polanski wrote on X: “Reform took a £5m donation and they’re trying to distract you.”

Reform’s announcement comes after party leader Nigel Farage was heavily criticised for pulling out the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg last minute.

The party claimed Farage was campaigning in his constituency in Clacton.

However, his critics suggested he was evading scrutiny after the Guardian reported that he had received a £5 million donation from a crypto billionaire shortly before he decided to run to be an MP in 2024.

The Conservatives also criticised the new migrant policy, as leader Kemi Badenoch retweeted a post from former cabinet minister Simon Clarke which called the policy an “appalling waste of public money”.

Clarke noted that these detention centres would likely be set up in other areas where the public have not voted for Reform – including Conservative seats.

He said: “Zia is proposing the siting of detention centres expressly as a form of political punishment for people and places that don’t vote Reform – not just Green, but presumably Conservative, Liberal and Labour too. (And what about Reform voters in those constituencies?)

“It would almost certainly be deemed an abuse of ministerial power for political purposes, and as such would likely be stuck down in court before ever being implemented, wasting millions for the taxpayer without detaining anyone.

“If it were to go ahead, it would still represent an appalling waste of public money as these sites might well not be in any way suitable for the proposed centres, or near the other infrastructure required.

“What’s worse is that he is doing all this to provoke outrage and draw attention to Reform a few days out from the local elections.

“Reform know what they are doing.

“But this goes beyond a pre-election stunt. It’s declared as a major policy commitment, and should be treated as such.”

I Worked As A Character Actor At Disney World. Here’s What You Don’t See Happening Behind The Scenes.

Posted on 04/05/2026 by Boris Clair

It’s my first day of training at Disney World Orlando, and I am learning how to be Pooh, a big yellow bear who is constantly reminded by guests that he’s not wearing pants. I’ve almost perfected the walk, but these boxy feet are giving me shin splints.

Soon I’ve successfully mastered talking, signing and acting like every character in my height range. If I can prove myself as a fur performer, they’ll upgrade me to a face character, transitioning me from cartoon animal costumes to talking human icons. I have my fingers crossed, because it’s autumn, and despite the cool breeze coming in through my mouth, sticky sweat is pouring out of everywhere else. It’s so hot that the pregnant Donald Duck standing across from me just passed out, and I am not far behind. Welcome to the most magical place on Earth!

Though I grew up on Disney films, I never imagined myself working for the Mouse. When I was 7, my grandmother made me chop my hair into a bowl cut before she would take me to Disney World. I spent the entire day crying and now I can’t clearly recall a single thing that happened while we were there.

When I was 13, my grandparents enrolled me in vocal lessons with a woman I would later consider a second mother. During our 12 years together, her daughter became a professional singer and started working at Disney as a stage performer before moving on to Broadway and producing her own albums. When it was suggested that I follow in her footsteps, I leapt at the opportunity to move away from home.

A few weeks after my 20th birthday, I sat in an audition hall alongside hundreds of other hopefuls. I was so nervous that I bombed my performance, but I was encouraged to apply as a face character and to return for stage roles when I was ready. I came back eager for a second chance and spent the day getting measured, learning parade dances, showcasing my miming abilities, and delivering the film lines of characters I resembled. While my dance skills weren’t remarkable, I did land the roles of Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Fawn, a fairy from the beloved Tinker Bell franchise, thereby securing myself a ticket to unforgettable experiences.

I quickly discover that at Disney World, pixie dust is real, except some Tinkerbells take it up the nose instead of sprinkling it on little kids, and one of the guys who plays Prince Charming is rumoured to be on a quest to sleep with a girl from every continent. Thanks to Epcot, he’s more than halfway there. I doubt Walt ever envisioned his creation turning into a buffet for brash men. Meanwhile, the Princess dressing room is abuzz with a rumour that a guy who plays one of the park’s most infamous pirates is giving out golden showers without consent on his days off. I also heard that an employee got fired for getting caught in the bathroom with Mickey’s glove. I shudder to think of how many thousands of germ-ridden hands touched it before it got up close and personal with her mini mouse.

During my first few months working at Disney, I thrive on fast-food meals, a fake celebrity status and late-night outings. I’m staying in a bougie townhouse just outside of Celebration, Florida (a suburb of Orlando that was originally created by the Walt Disney Company), with two other employees for $350 a month each. I move through several parks each week, so the break rooms are always filled with new faces. For now, my closest friends are the photographers and cast assistants who accompany me.

When winter arrives, I finally step into the role of a face character. I discover how to apply fake lashes, glitter and custom wigs. I’m told that my head is two inches smaller than average, that I need Mellow Yellow to cover my hickey, and that tanning is no longer an option. The Cinderella beside me is reprimanded for gaining weight and Ariel is with management to discuss ageing out.

On my first day as Belle, I feel like a yellow cake topper trapped in a 40-pound ballgown that, despite being laundered hundreds of times, still smells like musk. As the doors to the Princess Room open, my fellow castmates and I are greeted with literal “oohs” and “ahhs.” I wasn’t prepared to do a thousand squats today, nor was I ready for the oblivious mother who plops her baby onto my lap despite the full diaper leaking brown sludge from the sides, who then insists on taking photo after photo. And I am certainly not ready for the father who leans in and asks if I’m into bestiality.

The author playing Belle from "Beauty and the Beast." — The author playing Belle from “Beauty and the Beast.”

The Underground is a network of tunnels that serves as a shortcut to anywhere in the park. Performers use it prevent guests from seeing duplicate characters roaming the parks, which would most certainly destroy the illusion that the company is working so hard to keep intact. Because of the sour-smelling sewage running through the pipes overhead, I’m forced to play a perennial game of “dodge the drips”. Disney also offers a cafeteria with various chain restaurants, an onsite gas station, firehouse and medical clinic.

To help preserve the magic of Disney, it is said no one has ever been declared dead on park property, but I’ve heard several people have been decapitated. Tell me how that one works. It’s difficult to know what’s real and what’s not in a world of make believe but I’ve heard plenty more gruesome things have happened in the park. I was told a Tigger was literally run over during a parade and someone else claimed that a Lion King monkey snapped his neck attempting a forward roll in rehearsal. There’s a rumour that Space Mountain has claimed more than its fair share of riders. I don’t know if that’s true, but Splash Mountain was once shut down because a guest thought it would be a good idea to hop out of his boat in the middle of the ride. Long story short: the logs kept moving and the unsuspecting man was crushed as he tried to cross the human-made river.

By spring, I’ve been moved to the sunrise shift. This means that I’m part of the backstage tours, a chance for guests who have paid an obscene amount of money to become disenchanted. They pass by my dressing room, and I’ve never felt more like a zoo animal. No one asks me questions — maybe they’ve been told not to interact with us — and instead I hear:

“Look at her wig!”

“I had no idea she looked like that in real life.”

“Take a picture of those shoes. Oh, right, no cameras allowed. Sorry.”

“Wow, how much do you think those dresses cost to make?”

“Someone needs some coffee.”

For the next year and a half, the luster continues to fade. I wake up, drag myself out of bed, park in the cast lot, ride the bus behind the gates, run down the tunnel, clock in late, get another warning, grab my costume, do my makeup, walk to my assigned area, listen to hype music while awaiting start time, then walk onto set feeling like a baddie.

Smile. Squat down for kids. Pictures. Squat. Squat. Squat. Smile. See 200 guests per set. Clear the room. Sigh as all smiles flatline. Walk off set. Change into break-room attire. Watch Disney films on the couch. Eat Subway. Nap. Fix makeup. Redress. Repeat four times, with each interval lasting 45 to 85 minutes.

I am allowed to go into the parks during my breaks to watch parades, get ice cream, ride coasters, or shop the gift stores, but I never feel the desire to abandon my bubble, not even when auditions for Disney Tokyo and Paris are announced. This is a job, after all. When work is done, I leave, pick up hibachi, and look forward to being home in my pyjamas.

Still, I make lifelong friends, and we take Disney cruises together, and dance our way through confetti and vodka in Florida clubs where our glitter-covered faces seem right at home.

One day at the end of my second year, I’m playing Fawn, a rough-and-tumble tomboy fairy who can talk to animals. I climb plastic trees that overlook painted sunsets until I reach popcorn ceilings, which seem to stare back at me and say, “Grow up.” But here, in Neverland, I don’t have to.

We have a meet-and-greet with a Make-A-Wish child within the first hour. After being dressed up by Fairy Godmothers, she’s wheeled in, and we surround her with gentle coos. They shut off the timer hidden in the upper right-hand corner of the room. It usually serves as a strict guest counter to make sure we hit our numbers. For now, however, it’s dark.

We take our time asking her questions about her interests and dreams. We compliment her sparkling shoes and the Mickey ears perched atop her radiation scars until it’s time to say goodbye. She’s on her way to the real Neverland, so we huddle together as our wings tremble with the emotions we’ve been holding back.

We typically meet with over 1,000 people per day. We are not told to hug children for as long as they want because we have a line to get through and quotas to meet. So we cherish moments like this, when time slows down and we are reminded of why we are here. It is our duty and honor to bring magic into the lives of both children and adults.

Some days, it is easy to shrug off or make light of this mission. On other days, an encounter with someone like this little girl settles like wet concrete in my gut and I have a hard time recovering from how unfair life feels. Unfortunately, I have to get back to work, and our customers don’t want to see a devastated fairy.

I can’t see any way to rise up the ranks at Disney World unless I moved into management, which I don’t want to do. Every day I feel more trapped beneath the wigs and pinned down by the costumes. The feeling that I’m suffocating behind the grinning masks is more constant. My panic attacks become too frequent and difficult to control, but I don’t want to take the anxiety medication I’m offered. I realise it’s time for me to move on.

On my last day, Peter Pan is a special guest in our Pixie Hollow. No one knows that Peter is my favourite representation of dreams, imagination and eternal possibilities. As the room closes and the secret set walls open to return us to human life, I pause because I realise what these last few steps mean. As if it has all suddenly become real, Peter reaches out his hand to me.

“All it takes is faith and trust,” he says, as we skip out one last time. I almost believe him.

The author (middle) with her husband (right) and a friend at Disney on Halloween.

Disney’s economy has rarely suffered because there will always be people who seek safety in nostalgia. Visitors can interact with — or even become — the characters they admire, remember what it feels like to believe in happy endings, and live vicariously through the joy of their children.

I worked at Disney for three years, and I didn’t learn a thing about myself. Disney is like high school. It solidified my identity through cliques, but did not expand it. Being a character is not all it’s cracked up to be, and making magic is not the same as experiencing it.

These days, I see Disney as a glittering pink castle placed atop a stagnant Florida marsh. You can dress it up all you want, but at the end of the day, it’s still hot, crowded and overrated. The fantasy only works when it’s carefully maintained, and someone always has to be backstage or sweating inside a costume to hold the illusion together.

If you are headed there tomorrow, go. Let yourself believe in magic. Take pictures, cry at the fireworks, hold your child’s hand a little longer than you normally might. Don’t listen to me — I never loved Disney to begin with, so I couldn’t fall out of love with it when I left.

I still enjoy watching my husband, who is new to the “wonderful world of Disney,” explore the parks. I still find myself talking like Belle when I’m on a professional call, and Fawn will always be a part of me. I watch most of the Disney films, because, as intended, they bring me comfort and inspiration.

Knowing what I know now has not ruined Disney for me. I see it as I always did: a theme park designed for entertainment and escapism. I am disappointed that I didn’t find anything magical while I worked there, but I guess that’s the point: There is no real magic behind the curtain, only what we create in front of it.

Michalla Brianna is an author, CEO/founder of Barrie Patch Books & The Healing Arts LLC, as well as an executive producer, podcast host, clinical counsellor, and expressive arts therapist. She holds five university degrees in creative writing and psychology. This essay is part of a memoir told in vignettes.

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Cabinet Minister Sends Warning To Starmer Rivals As Leadership Tensions Rise

Posted on 03/05/2026 by Boris Clair

A senior minister has torn into anyone considering challenging Keir Starmer’s leadership, saying rivals must “give their heads a gentle wobble”.

Labour is expected to take a beating when voters across the UK head to the ballot box for England’s local elections and devolved elections in Scotland and Wales.

According to widespread reports, senior Labour figures – including health secretary Wes Streeting, former deputy PM Angela Rayner and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham – could be looking to topple Starmer if the party receives devastating results next week.

But Transport secretary Heidi Alexander stood by her boss on Sky News, urging challengers not to turn Labour into a “self-indulgent debating society”.

She said: “I think Keir is the best person to lead our country through the period of extreme international volatility that we are experiencing at the moment.

“I don’t think the public would thank us if the Labour Party turned into some sort of self-indulgent debating society when there are pockets of the world that feel like they are going to hell in a hand cart at the moment.”

She pointed to Starmer’s efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the major oil shipping lane which has been impacted by the US’s war in Iran.

“I think asking the prime minister to somehow reapply for his job while all of that is going on and he is entirely focused on the concerns of the British people would be the wrong thing to do,” Alexander said.

“I think those people who think we should have a leadership election now and repeat the mistakes that the Conservative government made in churning through prime ministers probably do need to give their head a gentle wobble at the moment.”

She claimed Starmer is “determined” to take what he has learned from the last two years in office and build a “stronger and fairer country for everyone”.

Asked if Alexander was sending that message to leadership rivals, she said: “This is about what the Labour Party needs to do to put the country first.

“We were elected in 2024 to deliver the change that the country was crying out for after Covid, Brexit, Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng and 14 years of Conservative government.”

“Change is going to take time,” she said, adding: “Does that mean we’re going to get a dopamine hit every couple of months? No it doesn’t. But does it mean we are going to put this country on the right path, yes, I do believe that.”

Alexander’s comments are striking considering other ministers started to distance themselves from Starmer over the Peter Mandelson scandal last month.

Work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden, questioned the prime minister’s judgment over the controversy.

Energy secretary Ed Miliband also admitted he and former foreign secretary David Lammy had both expressed concerns over Mandelson’s appointment before the ex-Labour peer became the UK’s ambassador to the US.

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