One of the most interesting creative choices in “Avengers: Endgame” was to make Thor a fat and sloppy CHRIS HEMSWORTH even had a nickname for him: “Lebowski Thor”. The original plan was for Thor to revert back to his buff self halfway through the movie. But Hemsworth wouldn’t have it. “It was so different than any other way I played the character. And then it took on a life of its own.” He also got a lot of attention walking around the set wearing a 90-pound fake stomach.
Rumors started circulating yesterday that KIT HARINGTON had checked into rehab. Kit played Jon Snow on “Game of Thrones” . . . and the “New York Post” said he was seeking help for “stress and alcohol use.” Kit’s rep confirmed that he’s entered a “wellness retreat,” but downplayed the seriousness of it. The rep insisted he was NOT there for “rehab,” and emphasized the words, “wellness retreat.” But didn’t elaborate on what the “personal issues” are. Kit is supposedly at a “luxury” facility in Connecticut, which costs more than $120,000 per month and has been there for about a month, and it’s unclear when he’ll leave. Kit has said the ending of “Game of Thrones” hit him hard. “The final day of shooting, I felt fine . . . I felt fine . . . then I went to do my last shots and started hyperventilating a bit. Then they called, ‘Wrap!’ And I just broke down.”
MILEY CYRUS loves TSA pat-downs. And she always gets one because she refuses to take off her jewelry when she goes through airport security. Miley also discussed a line in her new song “Cattitude” that says, “I love you, Nicki, but I listen to Cardi.” She said she’s not taking sides, “They’re both queens.”
We have a new entry for the best-looking couple in country music. It’s Midland singer MARK WYSTRACH and his fiancé, Ty Haney. They announced their engagement yesterday. Mark posted photos of them standing in a field holding their two dogs. They’re all smiles and she’s showing off the engagement ring. He captioned it, “Popped the question and [she] had the answer I was lookin’ for.” Mark says, “It was unplanned and just unfolded naturally when we were barefoot and on a walk with our puppies. It was right after a big thunderstorm, and the sun just popped [up] out of nowhere, and I knew it was a sign.” It couldn’t have been too unplanned because who carries around a diamond ring? Tyler founded a clothing company called Outdoor Voices. He’s 39, she’s 31 – they’ve been dating a little over a year.
LAUREN ALAINA is so excited about her first headline tour that she recorded a special announcement explaining how she got here. She talks about being a little girl with a dream from Rossville, Georgia who started singing at three, writing songs at nine, going to Nashville at 10 and at 16 taking second place on “American Idol”. She opened for Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, and Blake Shelton. Her “That Girl Was Me Tour” kicks off September 14th in Columbia, Missouri and runs into late October. FILMORE will open most of the shows.
WILL SMITH treated the “Aladdin” cast and crew to several meals, including a mac and cheese buffet.
The Academy of Country Music will give Brooks & Dunn and Martina McBride the Cliffie Stone Icon Award at the 13th Annual ACM Honors this summer. Miranda Lambert will also receive the Gene Weed Milestone Award, while Kacey Musgraves will be honored with the Jim Reeves International Award. Rodney Crowell, Billy Joe Shaver and Kye Fleming will be celebrated for their songwriting as they pick up the Poet’s Award. The Lady Gaga/Bradley Cooper version of A Star Is Born will get the Tex Ritter Film Award. The accolades will be handed out Wednesday, August 21 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, with ticket information on the way soon.
Nickelodeon released the first promo for Blue’s Clues and You – a reboot of the children’s show. The new host is Joshua Dela Cruz and he has a Thinking Chair, a Handy Dandy Notebook and friends like Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper, Mailbox and Magenta. The blue dog is now CGI-animated. Blue’s Clues and You premiers in November.
