Katy Perry Reportedly Won’t Perform at the VS Fashion Show Because of *This* Costume

UPDATE: (November 18, 2:30pm/1:30c): Victoria’s Secret has confirmed that Harry Styles, Miguel, Leslie Odom Jr., and Jane Zhang will perform at the fashion show.

There’s chaos in the land of the angels! With just days to go before the November 21 taping of the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (airing live November 28), the list of participants is whittling before our very eyes. Yesterday, Gigi Hadid announced she will not be walking, with rumors swirling that four other Russian models, including Irina Sharipova, Julia Belyakova, Dasha Khlystun, and Kate Grigorieva would also be cut from the lineup after reportedly being denied visas to China. Now, Katy Perry — who was slated to perform at the show — will reportedly join the roster of those on the restricted list, thanks to a costume the pop star wore back in 2015.

According to a report from Page Six, Shanghai government officials banned the Roar singer from entering the country due to a sparkly sunflower-emblazoned dress the 33-year-old donned during a 2015 performance in Taiwan’s capital of Taipei. “Her outfit wound up causing widespread outrage because the sunflower had been adopted the year before by anti-China protesters,” the outlet writes.

Perry, 33, also reportedly waved a Taiwanese flag during the show, a country that has been sparring with China for years.

Page Six says the 2010 VS fashion show headliner was initially granted access into Shanghai, but has since been nixed after the government “caught wind” of the outfit. Yikes!

Though nothing has been confirmed by Perry’s rep or VS officials, Harry Styles and Miguel will reportedly perform in her stead.

Do you have something to say about the Katy Perry controversy? Tweet us @BritandCo.

(Photos via VCG, Kevin WInter + Theo Wargo/Getty)

Real estate is such a headache these days! For instance, Gen Z may never be able to buy homes. Many of us are stuck in an unending cycle of renting amidst crazy inflation with wages that have barely increased in the past decade. Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom are also dealing with their housing crisis, albeit a(nother) $15 million one. ATM, they’re trying to buy a house the current owner says he didn’t mean to sell, so if you like confusing drama, real estate and religion, buckle up.

Here's everything we know about Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom's house drama so far.

House #1

In July 2020, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom bought a $15 million home in Santa Barbara, a month before welcoming their first child together, Daisy Dove. You may be wondering exactly why that's a problem, which under literally any other circumstance would be a fair thought. In this case, though, it is not.

The seller of the home, 80-year-old Carl Westcott, just had back surgery prior to the sale. He and his lawyers are now claiming that the painkillers disrupted his judgement, meaning he wasn’t able to properly review the contract and “was of unsound mind and not competent to give his free, voluntary, or intelligent consent to the contract. The contract that [Carl] signed to sell his home is therefore void or voidable,” Yahoo shared.

This isn’t necessarily out-of-the-blue, though. Shortly after signing, Carl emailed the company representing the sale and stated that he actually didn’t want to move, leading lawyers to get involved and prompting Carl to file a complaint in August 2020 and sue Katy and Orlando’s business manager.

According to Carl's daughter-in-law Kameron Westcott (who just so happened to be on seasons two through four of the now-defunct Real Housewives of Dallas), Carl is battling Huntington’s disease, which according to Mayo Clinic "causes the progressive breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells in the brain." The rare, inherited disease has “a wide impact on a person’s functional abilities and usually results in movement, thinking (cognitive), and psychiatric disorders.”

Obviously, this would cause a major disruption in anyone's ability to make sound and healthy decisions, just another reason as to why this sale is a tad questionable, to say the least.

House #2

Now if this sounds familiar, you're memory serves you well. In 2014, Katy offered $14.5 million to purchase a Los Feliz convent-slash-estate belonging to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, an order of nuns who had pooled their money to buy the property back in 1972. Many of them have since passed, prompting the Archdiocese to force the five remaining nuns to move out against their will in 2011 before agreeing to sell the property to Katy. (How it’s even possible for the Archdiocese to force the nuns out of a home THEY purchased is beyond us.)

The nuns objected to the sale in 2015, leading two of the remaining sisters, Catherine Rose Holzman and Rita Callanan, to have a meeting with Katy in which she (reportedly) tried to win them over via song, yes — a song...at least according to Insider. While the nuns found her “nice,” they decided that they wanted to sell the property to restaurateur Dana Hollister.

Despite official confirmation, Dana moved in. She was quickly sued by both Katy and the Archdiocese, who claimed that the nuns didn’t have the right to negotiate their own sale. Dana paid rent so she could keep living on the property, that is, until the um, the Vatican got involved. The freakin’ Vatican.

Flash forward to 2017, when a Los Angeles judge ruled that Katy had the right to purchase the place. Since the Catholic Church needs the Pope’s approval for sales over a certain amount, Pope Francis declared that Katy couldn’t have the place until she figured out what to do about the active on-site chapel, like perhaps finding a replacement venue. Meanwhile, the pop singer successfully sued Dana for interfering in her purchase, and Dana later filed for bankruptcy.

In 2018 the two aforementioned sisters went with Dana to bankruptcy court, where 89-year-old Catherine Rose famously told the press, “Katy Perry, please stop.” Hours later, she tragically collapsed and died in court.

Sister Rita has since said that Katy has “blood on her hands," but no one has heard from Rita since summer 2019

Meanwhile, Brian Holzman, nephew of the late Sister Catherine Rose, talked to RadarOnline about the present-day Westcott dispute, calling Katy Perry “a pretty evil woman. It sounds like she is at it again. She is who she is, and she’s going to do what she’s going to do. It’s all about money and greed!”

It’s unclear whether Katy ever even moved into the convent following the godly dispute.

We don't know about you, but it does seem rather odd that Katy is embroiled in yet another housing dispute with an elderly person. Coincidence? We can’t say. Just buy another $15 million home Katy. NBD.

What are your thoughts on the drama? Let us know @BritandCo.

Header image courtesy of Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Variety.

The Lion King is one of the most beloved Disney movies — like, of all time — which means that its fans are VERY protective of it. Everyone was a little apprehensive about the live-action remake, but whether you loved it or hated it, one thing's for sure: the cast knocked it out of the park. Mufasa: The Lion King brings back all your favorites (including Beyoncé, Donald Glover, and James Earl Jones, no biggie) but we'll also see (er, hear) Beyoncé's daughterBlue Ivy Carter! Here's everything we know about the new Disney movie.

What will Mufasa: The Lion King be about?

Image via Walt Disney Pictures

I don't know a single '90s kid who doesn't LOVE the character of Mufasa, and Mufasa: The Lion King is all about the future king's coming-of-age story. Rafiki tells Kiara (Simba and Nala's daughter) the story of how Mufasa began his journey as an orphaned cub — and how everything changes when he meets Taka, the heir to the royal bloodline.

When is Mufasa: The Lion King coming out?

Image via Walt Disney Pictures

Mufasa: The Lion King will hit theaters December 20, 2024. I don't know about you, but the holidays are ALWAYS a good time for a Disney movie. I will be seated.

Is Beyoncé in Mufasa: The Lion King?

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Yes, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter returns to Mufasa: The Lion King as Nala, as well as Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, John Kani as Rafiki, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, Donald Glover as Simba, and we'll also see Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara!! I'm super excited that Blue Ivy is in this new Disney movie because it makes it even more of a family affair. Any movie that includes an IRL parent and child in the cast automatically pulls at my heartstrings!

Mufasa also stars Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, Tiffany Boone as Sarabi, Kagiso Lediga as Young Rafiki, Preston Nyman as Zazu, Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, Thandiwe Newton as Taka’s mother Eshe, Lennie James as Taka’s father Obasi, Anika Noni Rose as Mufasa’s mother Afia, and Keith David as Mufasa’s father Masego.

Why does Scar hate Mufasa so much?

Image via Walt Disney Pictures

Scar is Mufasa's little brother, and throughout their lives, Scar's secretly desired to overthrow Mufasa and take the throne for himself. His hatred for Mufasa and his family is intensified when Simba is born, making Simba next in line for the throne instead of Scar himself.

The story takes heavy inspiration from William Shakespeare's Hamlet, as well as some inspo from the stories of Moses and Joseph in the Bible.

How many Oscars did Lion King win?

Image via Walt Disney Pictures

The original Lion King won two Oscars in 1995 for Best Original Score and Best Original Song, and its music also ~scored~ some Golden Globes, Grammys, and American Music Awards.

Mufasa: The Lion King is just one of the new Disney movies coming our way. Let us know which one you're most excited for in the comments and check out our TikTok for more pop culture news!

Lead image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

TBH, take us back to the days of neon zebra print and lip gloss flip phones. The intense surge inremakes, reboots, and spinoffsis sending us into a nostalgic spiral, and we’re ready to channel the early 2000s in whatever ways we can. Our time-traveling journey begins with a vibey playlist that includes the It Girls of the 00’s music scene – Beyoncé, Britney, Rihanna, Miley, and more practically raised us, and now it’s time to jam out.

"Unwritten" – Natasha Bedingfield

This song is an *unbeatable* classic for the girlies who were tuning into the radio in the 2000s. The rest is still unwritten.

"Umbrella" – Rihanna

Though Rih has been popping off recently, we can’t forget the early days of her career. “Umbrella” brings a euphoric feeling, and you bet we have it on repeat.

"Since U Been Gone" – Kelly Clarkson

Once you know “Since U Been Gone,” you never go back.

"Leave (Get Out)" – JoJo

We were totally singing this song loud with the emotion and passion of someone who’s just been broken up with. Only, in our case, it was a forgettable fifth grade breakup. #Guilty.

"London Bridge" – Fergie

It’s time to partyyy, and Fergie always knows how.

"Rich Girl" – Gwen Stefani

The nostalgia is flowing with this track. If I was a perfect gi-i-i-irl…

"Hot N Cold" – Katy Perry

The song may say “yes and no,” but this tune gets a “yes and yes” from us! Katy always carries.

"Sk8er Boi" – Avril Lavigne

He was a boy, she was a girl. That’s all you need to know.

"Mr. Brightside" – The Killers

Nothing beats screaming this banger at the top of your lungs. Even if it’s at a wedding, and you’re embarrassing yourself.

More Songs on Our Nostalgic Playlist

  • "Say It Right" – Nelly Furtado
  • "Toxic" – Britney Spears
  • "Hollaback Girl" – Gwen Stefani
  • "Crazy In Love" – Beyoncé
  • "Poker Face" – Lady Gaga
  • "One, Two Step" – Ciara and Missy Elliott
  • "Potential Break Up Song" – Aly & AJ
  • "7 Things" – Miley Cyrus
  • "So Yesterday" – Hilary Duff
  • "Complicated" – Avril Lavigne
  • "So What" – P!nk
  • "Work It" – Missy Elliott
  • "If We Were A Movie" – Hannah Montana
  • "Pon de Replay" – Rihanna
  • "Rich Girl" – Gwen Stefani
  • "Promiscuous" – Nelly Furtado and Timbaland
  • "London Bridge" – Fergie
  • "Bossy" – Kelis ft. Too $hort
  • "Too Little Too Late" – JoJo
  • "Irreplaceable" – Beyoncé
  • "Hot N Cold" – Katy Perry
  • "Just Dance" – Lady Gaga
  • "Disturbia" – Rihanna
  • "TiK ToK" – Kesha
  • "Glamorous" – Fergie
  • "Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!)" – Blu Cantrell
  • "Miss Independent" – Kelly Clarkson
  • "Bring Me To Life" – Evanescence
  • "Put Your Records On" – Corinne Bailey Rae
  • "Pump It" – Black Eyed Peas
  • "Hey Ya!" – Outkast
  • "Cry Me a River" – Justin Timberlake
  • "The Sweet Escape" – Gwen Stefani
  • "Teenage Dream" – Katy Perry
  • "Hey There Delilah" – Plain White T’s
  • "Gives You Hell" – The All-American Rejects
  • "Sneakernight" – Vanessa Hudgens
  • "Wake Up" – Hilary Duff
  • "Your Love Is My Drug" – Kesha
  • "Get the Party Started" – P!nk
  • "American Boy" – Estelle
  • "Ms. Jackson" – Outkast
  • "Hot In Herre" – Nelly
  • "I Gotta Feeling" – Black Eyed Peas

Listen to Our Early 2000s Nostalgia Playlist

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Moms juggle a lot, and oftentimes, taking a single day to celebrate them isn't nearly enough. She's the caretaker, the advice giver, the shoulder to cry on, and the cheerleader behind everyone in her crew! You just can't not give mom (that also includes all the sisters, girlfriends, mentors, wives, stepmoms, and grand-moms in your life) a much-neededspecial something to show her that you love her and you get her.

Here are some Mother's Day gifts that are just as fun to give as they are to get, from self care must-haves and trending fashion pieces to stylish home goods that'll make Mother's Day uniquely special this year.

Old Navy Cool Moms Club Graphic T-Shirt

Mom already knows she's a cool mom, but with this cozy cotton graphic tee, she'll actually get to show it off!

Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Sauté Pan

Not only is this pan aesthetically pleasing, it's practical, too! The durable nonstick coating makes cooking all kinds of foods a total breeze, plus it can even go in the oven up to temperatures of 500 degrees F.

Barzel 18K Gold Plated Woven Love Knot Stud Earrings

These classy stud earrings are worthy of everyday wear, adding a touch of elegance to mom's accessory game in an instant. They are crafted to be waterproof and tarnish-proof. Score!

Bedsure Yellow Fleece Blanket

Mom's couch blanket def needs a nice upgrade. This affordable one is the perfect solution! It's made from a crazy-soft fleece material that delivers comfort year-round. Opt for a bright color like this yellow for the warmer months!

Soft Services Green Banana Buffing Bar Microcrystal Exfoliant

These exfoliating bars smell not-to-sweet, with hints of tonka bean and musk for a very well-rounded effect. Each one is loaded with superfine sanding crystals floating throughout a moisturizing, soothing soap base that'll make mom feel like sheer luxury and super smooth.

This set of two bars is $33.

Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer

Bet you she's never felt hydration like this! The Laneige Water Bank Moisturizer provides long-lasting hydration for up to 100 hours thanks to the formulation of hyaluronic acid and squalene.

Custom Leather Jewelry Box with Name & Birth Flower Month

This convenient jewelry box is the gift for moms on the go. Its compact size makes it super travel-friendly, slipping into a backpack or purse with ease. There are spaces for everything from necklaces and bracelets to rings and earrings, and mom can customize the layout to her liking since the dividers are removable!

Threshold Ceramic Signature Chip & Dip Serving Bowl

For the mom that always welcomes you home with snacks, this sleek chip and dip serving bowl will compliment her kitchen with a limited color palette and streamlined design, so you can both get some dip on your chips with ease!

Personalized Birthdate Pendant

Shoppable at 20% off for a limited-time Mother's Say sale, the Birthdate Pendant is totally customizable, as it's based on any birthday day and month. This sweet astrological homage to mom's birthday (or any other significant date) is laid into either a 14K gold plated or sterling silver pendant that she can flaunt every single day!

Great Jones Sweet & Savory Baking Mats

Let's hear it for zero waste! This 2-piece set of baking mats is the ultimate sustainable, reusable alternative to parchment paper. Made from silicone, the mats are 100% dishwasher-friendly, BPA-free, and food- and oven-safe... plus, they have cute little illustrations for maximum enjoyment in the kitchen.

Magnolia Bakery Mother's Day Flower Cupcakes

Magnolia Bakery is so tasty, so any mama with a sweet tooth will adore a treat-filled gift like this one! This 6-pack of sweets arrives fresh and ready to eat. A vanilla cupcake base is topped with hand-piped vanilla buttercream in the shape of a flower, so who really needs a real bouquet?!

Subtl Beauty Starter Stak

Time for a touch-up? This 5-in-1 portable makeup stack is the perfect size for slotting into a purse or glove box so mom can keep her freshest face on all day! It comes complete with a cream concealer, lip and cheek color, powder bronzer, powder highlighter, and a shine-control powder for those mid-day makeup breaks.

Hedley & Bennett Smock

Aprons and smocks are made to get dirty, but you might as well gift mom one that's cute, too! This flowery pick from Hedley & Bennett x Rifle Paper Co. features all sorts of blooms to match the tone of this year's armer months. It slides on with a comfy cross-back design that keeps slips conveniently at bay in between all of mom's fun cooking and baking projects!

Salt & Stone Antioxidant Body Wash

Self-care should feel like a total treat, and this body wash from Salt & Stone ensures a pleasurable experience with each use with notes of black rose and oud. The glass bottle and firm pump really elevates this gift from your run-of-the-mill body washes!

Anthropologie Bubble Letter Monogram Necklace

This playful necklace costs under $50, making it a wonderful (and nicely personalized) affordable Mother's Day gift. Gift mom her own initial, or even give her yours as a reminder of the amazing child you are.

SeaVees Acorn Trainer

Get mom into all things trendy with some cute sneakers! If the viral Adidas Sambas aren't supportive enough for her step, these cushiony-soft green kicks from SeaVees are equally trendy with a deep green colorway and heightened heel space for added comfort.

Frasier Sterling x Anthropologie Sunglass Case

Gifting mom this adorable case alongside a colorful pair of sunnies is the perfect way to help her kick off summertime. The fruity theme is too fun to ignore, she'll be carrying it with her everywhere she goes!

Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm

This "intensely nourishing" lip balm comes in 13 different shades that deposit a deliciously sheer sheen of color to the lips that looks stunning alone or on top of lipstick. And the best part? A tube is only $10.

Cabot Creamery Salty & Sweet Gift Box

Satisfy her cravings for both salty and sweet with this super snacky gift box filled with chocolates, salted maple crackers, raspberry jam, and a delicious mix of Cabot Creamery cheeses! With this gift, mom scores a cheese knife and a cutting board, too, for all future cheese board sharing.

Hello Adorn Tiny Links Necklace

This delicate necklace design can be representative of you and your mom's special bond, or it can simply serve as an adorable everyday piece for her collection! You can snag it either in sterling silver or a 14K gold fill material, so no mom's metal preference is left out.

Polaroid Snap Instant Digital Camera

For the mom who's always behind the camera (AKA all of us), this Polaroid camera delivers instant prints of her fave memories, places, and people. It'll give her a nice dose of nostalgia, too!

Nostalgia Eau De Parfum

The light white lily scent of this perfume is perfect for spring and summertime, but better yet, it'll make mom think of you every single time she spritzes it on.

Athleta Excursion Waistbag

This versatile everyday sling bag helps her keep her essentials in check with this convenient pockets, a comfy strap, and a cozy mesh material that ensures breathability in each and every wear.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This article has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

Challengers is honestly just one giant tennis match. While we watch Zendaya's Tashi, Mike Faist's Art, and Josh O'Connor's Patrick play the game in a literal sense, we also see their personal relationship spiral, ricocheting back and forth as each character plays a different role every couple of years. And the crazy Challengers ending is a culmination of this intense emotional journey because it solidifies Patrick, Tashi, and Art's relationship — both to one another, but also to tennis itself.

What did the ending of The Challengers mean?

Image via Niko Tavernise/Amazon MGM Studios

There is a lot of tension between Tashi, Art, and Patrick throughout the movie, and it all builds to the titular Challenger match. It's Art vs. Patrick, and they're playing for way more than just the title and the money (though of course, they're definitely playing for the title and the money) — this is one final chance to prove themselves to Tashi, who's sitting court-side looking very unimpressed.

Both men lose their cool during different sets, but it's in the third and final set that everything comes to a head. At the end of the match, Patrick confesses to sleeping with Tashi using a tennis ball and racket signal only Art recognizes. For a split second Art is is complete shock, and I expected him to completely lose it. And, technically, he does, but in a totally unexpected way. Rather than jump the net and punch Patrick in the face, Art channels his emotions into his tennis, and the fury he feels actually allows him break through whatever slump he's been stuck in.

Unable to have a conversation about Patrick's secret, Art and Patrick talk with their serves and returns. And because Tashi doesn't catch the signal, for the first time in the whole movie, she's cut out of the conversation.

Did Tashi love Art and Patrick?

Image via Niko Tavernise/Amazon MGM Studios

Tashi's been pulling the strings ever since she met Art and Patrick, and she's never not been in control. After Patrick sends the signal, she knows something is going on between them, she just doesn't know what — and it unnerves her. Thanks to Zendaya's expert subtlety, the twitch of her eyebrow or the particularly anxious way she grips her hands are the only things that give her away. But her confusion, and the men's anger, quickly turn to pure joy in the final moments of the movie.

Patrick and Art end up playing so intensely that they meet at the net and embrace, prompting Tashi's iconic tennis yell before she gives one of her first genuine laughs of the film and the screen cuts to black. The first time I saw the movie, I thought "What?!" but the more I think about it, the clearer the Challengers ending is.

Patrick and Art (whose relationship begins six or seven years before the movie opens) haven't spoken since the big fight surrounding Tashi's injury, and their hug proves they're just happy to be playing together again. It's what they've always loved, and their fight over Tashi almost ended it forever. Tashi's pure elation shows she's happy to watch some good tennis, especially after she failed to help Art break out of his rut.

We've only seen Tashi scream like that once before, when she admits to a perfect tennis match. While Tashi does care for Patrick and Art, the end of Challengers proves the characters' true love was never really each other — it was always the game.

What did you think of the Challengers ending? After you rewatch the movie (and then rewatch it again), check out the other Most-Anticipated Spring Movies For 2024.

Lead image via Niko Tavernise/Amazon MGM Studios