The musician and actor explained that he &34;just wouldn't do it&34; in the audition. Machine Gun Kelly says he was 'supposed to be' in Sinners but refused to s

The musician and actor explained that he "just wouldn't do it" in the audition.

Machine Gun Kelly says he was 'supposed to be' in Sinners but refused to say the N-word

The musician and actor explained that he "just wouldn't do it" in the audition.

By Maureen Lee Lenker

Maureen Lee Lenker

Maureen Lee Lenker is a senior writer at ** with over seven years of experience in the entertainment industry. An award-winning journalist, she's written for Turner Classic Movies, *Ms. Magazine*, *The Hollywood Reporter*, and more. She's worked at EW for six years covering film, TV, theater, music, and books. The author of EW's quarterly romance review column, "Hot Stuff," Maureen holds Master's degrees from both the University of Southern California and the University of Oxford. Her debut novel, *It Happened One Fight*, is now available. Follow her for all things related to classic Hollywood, musicals, the romance genre, and Bruce Springsteen.

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Published on August 1, 2025 06:36PM EDT

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Machine Gun Kelly; Michael B. Jordan in 'Sinners'. Credit:

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/getty; Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

- Machine Gun Kelly says he nearly had a role in Ryan Coogler's hit vampire drama *Sinners*.

- The musician and actor told *The Pat McAfee Show* that he was set to audition but didn't want to use a racial slur called for in the script.

- "I just wouldn't do it," MGK explained.

Machine Gun Kelly is no sinner.

The rapper, singer, and actor said in a recent media appearance that he was "supposed to be in" *Sinners*,* *the hit film from Ryan Coogler starring Michael B. Jordan as twin brothers whose Prohibition-era juke joint is beset by vampires, but he turned down the audition because he couldn't bring himself to utter the N-word.

"There's been plenty of movies that come out that I go, 'Ah, I was supposed to be in that,'" Kelly said Thursday on *The Pat McAfee Show. *"Or, 'Oh, I did auditions for that.' Like *Sinners*, I was supposed to be in that."

Machine Gun Kelly.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

McAfee then inquired as to which part Kelly was meant to play. The musician replied, "The vampire. They had me set up to do the auditions — it's the vampire, the one that's in the house, so he's the second vampire, and the guy comes and he eats the family up."

Kelly seemed to be referencing the character of Bert, played by rock star Peter Dreimanis in the movie, who is turned into a vampire by Jack O'Connell's Remmick.

But, Kelly said, "In the audition he has to say the N-word, and I just wouldn't do it."

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'Sinners' scene breakdown: Behind the scenes of the hallucinatory juke joint performance

Cohost Darius Butler extended his hand for a fist bump with Kelly, to which Kelly replied, "Fo sho." McAfee then quipped, "Pretty woke there."

Representatives for Warner Bros., the studio behind *Sinners*, didn't immediately respond to **'s request for comment Friday.

Kelly seems to be a fan of vampire vibes. Last year, he revealed a set of gem-adorned "vampire fangs" that he'd persuaded his cosmetic dentist to fashion for him.**

Peter Dreimanis, Jack O'Connell, Hailee Steinfeld, and Lola Kirke in 'Sinners'.

And last month, he debuted new single a new single titled "The Vampire Diaries," off his sixth studio album, *Lost Americana*.

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Kelly made his film debut in the 2014 drama *Beyond the Lights* and has used his given name, Colson Baker, in acting projects since 2021. His other screen credits include *Bird Box*, *Project Power*, *Roadies, *and the Mötley Crüe biopic *The Dirt*.**

Watch MGK's appearance on *The Pat McAfee Show* above.

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Machine Gun Kelly says he was 'supposed to be' in Sinners but refused to say the N-word

The musician and actor explained that he &34;just wouldn't do it&34; in the audition. Machine Gun Kelly says he was ...

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Michelle Williams says she was afraid of falling during Destiny's Child reunion at Beyoncé's Cowb...

&34;I would not be able to live that down for the next 20 years,&34; Williams said on her podcast. Michelle Williams says she was afraid of falling during Desti

"I would not be able to live that down for the next 20 years," Williams said on her podcast.

Michelle Williams says she was afraid of falling during Destiny's Child reunion at Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter show

"I would not be able to live that down for the next 20 years," Williams said on her podcast.

By Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff is a writer at with over a decade of experience covering all facets of the entertainment industry. After graduating with honors from the University of Texas at Austin (Hook 'em, Horns!), Lauren wrote about film, television, awards season, music, and more for the likes of The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline Hollywood, Us Weekly, Awards Circuit, and others before landing at EW in May 2019.

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Published on August 1, 2025 05:31PM EDT

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Michelle Williams, Beyoncé, and Kelly Rowland at the Cowboy Carter tour. Credit:

Julian Dakdouk via PictureGroup/Shutterstock

The Destiny's Child reunion at Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour almost broke the internet — but Michelle Williams was worried it would break something else.

In a new solo episode of the podcast *Checking In w/ Record Breakers*, Williams opened up about her (very relatable) concern that she would fall on stage. This is, she explained, largely because she fell on national television back in 2004 when Destiny's Child promoted their final studio album on BET music show *106 & Park*.

"I was trying to stay focused because y'all know I still have trauma from falling on *106 & Park*," she told listeners. "I need y'all to be my therapist about that too, because every time I perform with the girls, it's in my head: 'Do not fall, do not fall, do not fall.'"

To help, Williams said she even enlisted former Destiny's Child stylist Ty Hunter to cut the fringe off the bottom of her pants. Joking that Hunter is "such a butthole at times," she said that Hunter took her request to the head of wardrobe for the Cowboy Carter tour.

"Ty Hunter is like, child, we got to cut these fringes off because we do not want Michelle to fall," she recalled. "I was like, 'Bro, that was between me and you. You didn't have to make no announcement.' But yeah, that's still in my head. Steps do frighten me now."

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Michelle Williams finally meets Michelle Williams

Even still, because of that fear, she said she rehearsed the steps for the Destiny's Child reunion between her and former bandmates Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé, but she still let it get inside her head.

"Did I rehearse them steps? Sure did," she said. "And then when it came to I was like, oh my gosh, you dummy. You let fear or lack of trust [in] on that first step, because y'all, I was like, I'm not gonna let social media do me. I'm not. Because if that were to happen, and I fell, I would not be able to live that down for the next 20 years. So that's probably the only thing I didn't like, was that I didn't trust the steps."

The reunion in question happened July 26, replacing the dancers ballroom dance solos at Bey's closing night performance at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium. The singer disappeared beneath the stage as "Independent Woman" blasted over the speakers. When she reemerged, fans were shocked to see a silhoutte of Beyoncé with Williams and Rowland on each side, striking a Charlie's Angels pose.

Michelle Williams, Beyonce, and Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child reunite at Cowboy Carter tour.

Julian Dakdouk via PictureGroup/Shutterstock

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"Destiny's Child, bitch," Queen Bey told the crowd as they strutted down the walkway. Together, the group then performed their 2005 hit "Lose My Breath." Rowland and Williams also stuck around to help Bey out with her *Renaissance* song "Energy." The trio also performed their 2001 anthem "Bootylicious."

Her fear of falling aside, Williams said she ultimately loved the experience and had no regrets. "We turned into little girls again, them teenage girls, those younger girls who just wanted to sing, dance and travel the world. And Beyoncé was like, 'Y'all, let's have fun. We just gonna go out here and have fun. Whatever happens happens, but we're gonna have fun.'"

She continued, "I knew we were gonna have fun. We always have fun. But when you come from Destiny's Child, and then when you see the level of excellence that Beyoncé performs at, you step it up, right?"

The onstage reunion between the trio was the first to occur since Beyoncé brought the ladies out for her 2018 Coachella performance, in which they sang several of their beloved hits.

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&34;He acknowledged it, four counts were dismissed, and wants to move on with his life,&34; the actor's attorney, Blair Zwillman, tells EW. Gary Busey pleads gu

"He acknowledged it, four counts were dismissed, and wants to move on with his life," the actor's attorney, Blair Zwillman, tells EW.

Gary Busey pleads guilty to criminal sexual contact in chaotic Zoom hearing: 'Am I pleading guilty?'

"He acknowledged it, four counts were dismissed, and wants to move on with his life," the actor's attorney, Blair Zwillman, tells EW.

By Wesley Stenzel

Published on August 1, 2025 05:23PM EDT

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Gary Busey at SiriusXM Studios in New York city on Sept. 5, 2018. Credit:

Taylor Hill/Getty

- Gary Busey pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact in New Jersey.

- Four other charges from a horror convention were dropped as the result of a plea agreement.

- Busey appeared confused by the proceedings and at one point asked "Am I pleading guilty?"**

Gary Busey has pleaded guilty to criminal sexual contact in New Jersey.

The *Buddy Holly Story* star appeared at a Zoom hearing with Judge Gwendolyn Blue on Thursday, and pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact following an incident with a female fan at the Monster-Mania Convention in August 2022. Three other counts of criminal sexual contact and an additional count of attempted criminal sexual contact from other accusers were ultimately dismissed as the result of a plea agreement.

Busey's defense attorney, Blair Zwillman, tells ** that the actor is relieved to have entered his plea. "He's glad it's over, he's glad the judge was able to do it remotely," Zwillman says. "He acknowledged it, four counts were dismissed, and wants to move on with his life."

The hearing saw a number of hiccups, however, as the virtual courtroom caused several miscommunications between the judge and Busey's team. Early in the proceedings (which can be partially viewed on video captured by Court TV), Busey could be seen drinking out of a Coca-Cola can, which prompted a warning from the judge.

"Although we are Zoom, you can't eat or drink in my courtroom," Judge Blue told the *Predator 2* star. "You're before a judge, and when you're before a judge, you act accordingly. No eating and no drinking in my presence."

Gary Busey says he died and came back after 1988 motorcycle crash

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Busey also appeared confused by the judge's instructions. "It is my understanding you wish to plead guilty to a fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. Is that correct?" Judge Blue asked.

"Am I pleading guilty?" Busey asked in response as he looked away from the camera.

"Yes," the judge responded.

Busey shot back, "No," before a woman's voice from his screen could be heard correcting him to say "Yes."

The actor then said, "I am? Okay, I am."

Judge Blue then asked Busey several more questions to ensure that he understood the proceedings and that he was voluntarily pleading guilty to the single charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. "I don't want anyone to tell you what to say. You need to say it on your own, sir," she told the actor before he reiterated his guilty plea.

Zwillman explains the confusion to EW. "He has a hearing aid, and at some points it seems to have not been working," he says. "So there were some hearing problems, and his ex-wife was in the room with him."

In the video of the proceedings, Busey's lawyer asked the actor to confirm the facts of the charge, which came from a fan with the initials AD who said the actor touched her during a photo op. "You inappropriately touched the buttocks of an adult female over her clothing," Zwillman said to his client. "You understand now and you knew then that that was not appropriate, it was wrong, correct?"

Busey responded, "Yes, very much so. Immediately, yes."

The attorney asked, "And you want Judge Blue to accept your acknowledgement of this particular incident. Is that right?"

Busey confirmed, "Yes, sir, it is the truth."

Gary Busey at 'Only Human - A #Blessed New Musical' in New York City on Sept. 17, 2019.

Walter McBride/Getty

Later, the judge told Zwillman that "there's something missing" from an official document. "You need to fill in the record more as to what his purpose was when he touched her buttocks," she told the lawyer.

Zwillman then asked his client, "You understand that it's only a violation of the law that you could plead guilty to if you intended to gratify yourself by committing that act. I've told you that, correct?"

Busey appeared confused again. "Correct what?"

Zwillman repeated, "The touching of the buttocks was done for your gratification?"

Busey disagreed. "No, I was looking, my eyes were on the camera lens. I moved my hands up and grazed her buttocks without thinking and without looking," he said.

Judge Blue was dissatisfied with this exchange. "That's not a factual basis. That's not a guilty plea," she said.

"Mr. Busey, I've advised you, and we agreed earlier that in order to plead guilty, you have to truthfully acknowledge that you did this for your own gratification as opposed to any request by AD, is that correct?" Zwillman asked.

"I truthfully acknowledge that that happened, yes," the actor clarified.

Judge Blue then asked, "So this was not an accidental touching. You purposely touched her. Is that correct sir?"

Busey confirmed, "Yeah."

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Busey is scheduled to receive his sentence on Sept. 18.

Zwillman plans to argue that his client should only have to pay fines and not be sentenced to probation. "I think he may have been charged with criminal sexual contact because of his status," the lawyer tells EW. "Hopefully this is not gonna stain an otherwise remarkable acting career."**

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Gary Busey pleads guilty to criminal sexual contact in chaotic Zoom hearing: 'Am I pleading guilty?'

&34;He acknowledged it, four counts were dismissed, and wants to move on with his life,&34; the actor's attorney, Bl...

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American Eagle finally issues statement on Sydney Sweeney ad controversy: 'Great jeans look great...

The brand has spoken out after a week of online discourse and criticism. American Eagle finally issues statement on Sydney Sweeney ad controversy: 'Great jeans

The brand has spoken out after a week of online discourse and criticism.

American Eagle finally issues statement on Sydney Sweeney ad controversy: 'Great jeans look great on everyone'

The brand has spoken out after a week of online discourse and criticism.

By Mekishana Pierre

Published on August 1, 2025 05:51PM EDT

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Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle ad. Credit:

It's been a little over a week since Sydney Sweeney's new ads for the American Eagle brand set the internet into a frenzy, and now the brand is speaking its piece.

On Friday, American Eagle shared an official statement on Instagram, addressing the accusations that its "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans" campaign espouses eugenics ideology — which promotes white genetic superiority and which historically enabled the forced sterilization of marginalized groups — and baited contrarians on the opposite end of the spectrum to blame it all on "wokeism."

"'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans, her story," reads the statement. "We'll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone."**

The response to AE's statement is as divided as the response to the campaign itself.

"Didn't think the response could be even worse than the ad but it somehow was," one commenter wrote. Another user wrote, "Wow, doubling down. I'll stick to buying second hand AE from now on. C'mon. To say that wasn't a euphemism is crazy."

On the other end of the spectrum, users celebrated the message. "Never bought AE but now I'm a customer," one comment reads, while another says, "Good publicity. I like your brand before this *controversy* but I like you guys even more now!"

Sydney Sweeney poses for American Eagle ad.

American Eagle unveiled its campaign featuring the *Anyone But You* star on July 23, and the reaction was swift.

The brand released several ads for the campaign, all which feature the 27-year-old actress in a pair of blue jeans in various locations doing simple things like looking down at the engine of her Ford Mustang — a very all-American muscle car — before she settles in behind the wheel and drives off.

The most criticized promo features the actress speaking of her "great genes" and not about the actual denim itself.

In the ad, Sweeney is shown reclining on a couch as she fastens her pants and murmurs, "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My genes are blue." Then a male narrator adds, "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans."

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Why are people angry at Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle jeans ad?

Content creators flocked to TikTok to share their thoughts on the brand's messaging, calling American Eagle out for having a white, blonde, blue-eyed woman talking about "good genes."

Conservative public figures voiced their thoughts on the campaign in the opposing direction, including White House communications director Steven Cheung and TV personality Megyn Kelly.

Most recently, Vice President JD Vance chimed in on the backlash during Friday's episode of the *Ruthless* podcast, saying he believed the discourse reveals "something pretty interesting" about Democrats.

"I actually thought that one of the lessons [Democrats] might take is we're going to be less crazy," Vance said. "And the lesson they have apparently taken is we're going to attack people as Nazis for thinking Sydney Sweeney is beautiful. Great strategy, guys. That;s how you're going to win the midterm, especially young American men."**

JD Vance speaks at the White House; Sydney Sweeney attends European premiere of 'Echo Valley' on June 10, 2025, in London.

Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty; Karwai Tang/WireImage

Vance added, "So much of the Democrats is oriented around hostility to basic American life. So you have a pretty girl doing a jeans ad and they can't help but freak out. It reveals a lot more about them than it does us."

*** Sign up for **'s free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.***

Despite claims that the Democratic Party has been fueling the flames behind the discourse, CNN White House producer Alejandra Jaramillo noted that "no prominent Democratic party leaders or officials have commented on the ad."

In fact, according to a study published by Media Matters, the only news broadcast paying much attention to the debate is Fox News.

Media Matters reported that Fox News has spent an hour and 25 minutes covering an American Eagle commercial since Monday, which is significantly more than its cable news counterparts.

The critics who have voiced disapproval of the Sweeney campaign have accused American Eagle of glorifying a racist ideal during a fraught political era.

A TikTok by user jessbritvich — referencing an ad in which Sweeney, wearing a denim jumpsuit, says, "My body's composition is determined by my genes (jeans)" — pointed out that the ad's implications fall in line with similar comments made by Donald Trump to a nearly all-white crowd in Bemidji, Minn., in 2020.

"In this ad... it's saying that Sydney has a great body and therefore great genes, a product of genetic superiority," she said. "Specifically saying these white, thin, traditionally feminine bodies are not just aspirational but symbols of morality, tradition, purity."

She added, "It's echoing the language of white purity politics, and purity of blonde hair and blue eyes. This language has cultural context... No, I really don't think this is an accident."

** has reached out to Sweeney's rep for comment.**

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American Eagle finally issues statement on Sydney Sweeney ad controversy: 'Great jeans look great...

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All previously purchased tickets will be honored on the rescheduled dates, which will be held in October, November, and December. Stevie Nicks postpones concert

All previously purchased tickets will be honored on the rescheduled dates, which will be held in October, November, and December.

Stevie Nicks postpones concerts due to fractured shoulder, 'looks forward to seeing everyone soon'

All previously purchased tickets will be honored on the rescheduled dates, which will be held in October, November, and December.

By Emlyn Travis

Emlyn Travis is a news writer at*  *with over five years of experience covering the latest in entertainment. A proud Kingston University alum, Emlyn has written about music, fandom, film, television, and awards for multiple outlets including MTV News, *Teen Vogue*, Bustle, BuzzFeed, *Paper Magazine*, Dazed, and NME. She joined EW in August 2022.

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Published on August 1, 2025 05:00PM EDT

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Stevie Nicks attends the 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's' benefit at Cipriani South Street on Nov. 16, 2024, in New York City. Credit:

Taylor Hill/WireImage

Stevie Nicks is putting the music on pause to focus on her health. **

The Grammy-winning songstress and Fleetwood Mac alum, 77, announced in an Instagram statement on Friday that she's had to reschedule the August and September dates for her ongoing solo tour until later this year after fracturing her shoulder. **

"Due to a recent injury resulting in a fractured shoulder that will require recovery time, Stevie Nick'' scheduled concerts in August and September will be rescheduled," the post read. "Please note that October dates will be unaffected."

Stevie Nicks performs during 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's benefit at Casa Cipriani on Nov. 16, 2024, in New York City.

Noam Galai/Getty

All previously purchased tickets will be honored at the rescheduled dates, per the statement. It also noted that additional information about the new shows would be made available to ticket holders through their original point of purchase. **

"The concert schedule will resume on Wednesday, October 1st in Portland, Oregon," it concluded. "Stevie looks forward to seeing everyone soon and apologizes to the fans for this inconvenience."

***Sign up for **'s free daily newsletter* *to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.*****

Alongside Nicks' note, the post also included a list of her unaffected tour dates in October as well as the rescheduled shows, which are now set to be held in October, November, and December.

Stevie Nicks working on new album inspired by moment Prince rejected necklace from her at 'Purple Rain' premiere

We hate to break it to you but Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham aren't reuniting

Nicks' injury comes just over a week after she and former Fleetwood Mac bandmate Lindsey Buckingham revealed that they would be reissuing their album *Buckingham Nicks* for the first time since 1973.

The record, which includes hits like "Frozen Love," famously caught the attention of Mick Fleetwood while he was on a studio tour in 1974, prompting him to invite the pair to join Fleetwood Mac. And the rest, as they say, is history.

*Buckingham Nicks *will be released on Sept. 19. Nicks' tour resumes on Oct. 1.

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Stevie Nicks postpones concerts due to fractured shoulder, 'looks forward to seeing everyone soon'

All previously purchased tickets will be honored on the rescheduled dates, which will be held in October, November, and December...

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