• The Fourth of July often means hot dogs and hamburgers sizzling over an open fire, but actress Mayim Bialik is pleading with all those grill masters out there to not ignore their vegan guests. "A lot of people want more plant-based food," the Big Bang Theory actress said recently. "It doesn't have to be just the food for people who eat weird." Bialik, who wrapped up her last season as neuroscientist Amy Farrah Fowler earlier this year, said people who avoid animal products like her and her kids get excited when chefs include food they can eat. "There are more of us out there and we do like to go to barbecues, too," she said. "There are so many more vegan options than when I became vegan." The former star of Blossom pointed to a range of favorites, from Asian dishes to fruit and dishes such as hummus as simple go-tos for the summer party season. This summer, Bialik has gone from filming in front of a live studio audience to giving neuroscience lectures to small groups in her childrens' homeschool community (she has a Ph.D. in neuroscience). "There is a sweetness to being home," she said. "My kids are confused and excited I am home more."
• Halle Bailey, half of the sister duo Chloe x Halle, will next be going under the sea, starring as Ariel in the upcoming adaptation of The Little Mermaid. The live-action version will include original songs from the 1989 animated hit as well as new tunes from original composer Alan Menken and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Some of the tunes include "Under the Sea," "Part of Your World" and "Kiss the Girl." Bailey will join Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina in the film, which will be directed by Rob Marshall, who helmed Mary Poppins Returns. Marshall says that Bailey "possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance -- plus a glorious singing voice -- all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role."
• British soul singer Joss Stone says she was deported from Iran after arriving in the Islamic Republic as part of a worldwide concert tour, even though she didn't plan to perform there. Posting on Instagram, Stone appears in a video wearing a white headscarf saying: "Well, we got to Iran, we got detained and then we got deported." She said she knew solo performances by women were illegal, but she still wanted to see Iran. She wrote that Iranian authorities placed her on a "black list" because they believed she might try to perform a public show. She described the authorities who met her on arrival at Iran's Kish Island as professional throughout their interaction. Iranian newspapers reported Stone's Instagram comments on Thursday, though there was no immediate government comment on her claims.
A Section on 07/05/2019