Reese Witherspoon has publicly addressed criticism after an April 16 Instagram video in which she urged women to learn about artificial intelligence, saying “the AI revolution has begun.” The post — which THR reported drew nearly five million views as it spread across platforms — prompted backlash over environmental concerns tied to data centres, alleged IP theft by generative models and questions about whether Witherspoon had been paid to promote AI. In Instagram Stories on April 20 she denied being paid, called herself “a curious human,” and said her children are learning about AI tools. Witherspoon acknowledged critics’ “valid” concerns about job displacement, environmental impact and the possibility of AGI, reiterated that she does not “believe computers should replace humanity,” and invited followers to learn alongside her. She has previously said women’s jobs are three times more likely to be automated while women use AI at lower rates, and has discussed using tools such as Perplexity, Vetted AI and Simple AI. She also tagged several female creators she said are helping explain AI.

Elizabeth Smart, 38, publicly shared a photo on April 21 from a recent Wasatch Warrior bodybuilding and fitness show in Salt Lake City — her fourth competition — revealing a new chapter in her life as a competitive bodybuilder. The child-safety advocate said she had long been “too afraid to post” photos of her physique, fearing judgment and that she might be seen as less credible in her survivor advocacy. In her Instagram caption Smart linked the vulnerability of sharing her fitness journey to the trauma she endured during a nine-month abduction in 2002, saying she wants to celebrate the strength of a body that “has carried me through every worst day.” Smart thanked her coach Robyn Maher and said the experience challenged her physically and mentally and prompted her to reject being reduced to a single label. Media coverage across outlets noted the move follows her continued public work — including books and a recent Netflix documentary — and framed the post as both a personal milestone and a public statement about resilience and identity.

The 2019 film Fighting With My Family, written and directed by Stephen Merchant and starring Florence Pugh and Dwayne Johnson, is being adapted for the stage, producers announced in April 2026. The new musical is a collaboration between Tilted Musicals (run by Miranda Cooper and Sam Hodges), Seven Bucks Productions (co-founded by Johnson and Dany Garcia), Merchant, Kevin Misher and Birmingham Hippodrome. Jon Brittain will write the book and lyrics, with a new soundtrack by Cooper and Nick Coler. Early workshops are planned for 2026 with a public presentation slated for 2027. The show will dramatise the true story of Saraya Bevis (WWE ring name Paige), a Norwich-born wrestler who rose to WWE stardom, and aims to foreground themes of family, community and identity. Producers and creators say wrestling’s inherent theatricality suits a musical format, and the team is exploring a varied British-influenced score. The announcement follows renewed mainstream interest in wrestling after corporate changes at WWE and fresh UK distribution deals noted by producers.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 premiered at Lincoln Center in New York on April 20, 2026, with Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci leading a star-studded turnout. The sequel, directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna, opens May 1 and follows Runway magazine as it navigates a shrinking media and fashion landscape; a trailer detail shows Miranda Priestly appearing not to recognise Andy Sachs. The film’s global press tour has included stops in Mexico, South Korea, China, Japan and upcoming London events. New cast additions and guest appearances include Simone Ashley, Lady Gaga, Lucy Liu, Kenneth Branagh and Justin Theroux. Behind-the-scenes notes published this week say HBO star Sydney Sweeney filmed a roughly three-minute cameo as herself that was later cut for structural reasons. Anna Wintour visited the set and offered styling notes, while Hathaway publicly pushed for more body-inclusive casting of models used in the movie’s fashion sequences. Disney and representatives gave limited comment on cuts and cameos; a set gag take featuring Wintour is expected among home-release extras.

The estate-backed Michael, a biopic of Michael Jackson directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, opened with star-studded premieres in Berlin and Los Angeles in April 2026 ahead of its global release on April 24. Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s nephew, plays the adult Michael and has drawn widespread praise for his performance; Colman Domingo’s depiction of Joe Jackson was also noted by reviewers. Early critical reaction was mixed to negative, with a low Rotten Tomatoes score reported in advance of wide review publication. Many critics and commentators lauded the musical set pieces and recreation of iconic performances but criticised the film for largely omitting the later child-sex-abuse allegations. According to industry reports, references to those allegations were removed after discovery of legal constraints tied to a decades-old settlement, prompting costly reshoots. Members of the Jackson family attended premieres, though divisions remain — notably between family members who supported the production and others, including Paris Jackson, who publicly criticised it. The film’s focus on triumph and artistry, combined with estate involvement, has fuelled debate about biography, legacy control and the limits of dramatizing controversial public figures.