BRAVE MAG

Joanna "JoJo" Levesque was set to join Chess on Broadway June 23 but the show will now close June 21

NEED TO KNOW

• PEOPLE first reported Levesque's casting, the actress and singer calling the opportunity “incredible” and crediting Lea Michele for recommending her for the role

• The revival, which earned five Tony nominations, will end after more than 250 performances since opening in October 2025

Joanna “JoJo” Levesqueis speaking out after producers for the Broadway revival ofChessannounced it would close before she ever had the chance to take the stage.

The Grammy-winning singer and actress, 35, reacted on Instagram after news broke on Tuesday, May 26 that the buzzy revival will play its final performance June 21 at the Imperial Theatre in New York City — just two days before Levesque had been set to begin performances as Florence Vassy.

The abrupt ending means the “Leave (Get Out)” singer will no longer join the production.

“Was supposed to start first day of rehearsals TODAY,” Levesque commented from her official account. “So bummed. All my love to the company.”

PEOPLE exclusively revealed Levesque's casting in March. The multi-hyphenate talent, 35, was set to succeedLea Michelein the role beginning June 23 alongsideAaron TveitandNicholas Christopher.

At the time, Levesque called the opportunity “incredible” and said she immediately connected with the production after seeing it on Broadway.

“As soon as I got to see this production of the show, I couldn't stop getting chills,” she said. “It feels incredibly right, and it is definitely going to be a challenge, but something that I'm excited for.”

The “Too Little Too Late” singer was especially eager to reunite with Tveit after the pair previously shared the stage during her run inMoulin Rouge! The Musical, which marked her Broadway debut in 2023. “He is such an amazing scene partner, so generous, and just such a wonderful friend offstage,” she said at the time. “And Nicholas Christopher, incredible. I was not familiar, but when I heard him sing… It's really something else. I think these are two of the best male voices I've heard live, maybe ever.”

Levesque had also shared that Michele personally recommended her for the role after deciding to depart the production.

Advertisement

“[Lea] was super kind, embraced me and said that she had actually brought up my name [to producers], which I didn't know,” Levesque explained. “So when they were looking for somebody to take over for her, she was like, ‘What about JoJo?' And that was a beautiful thing to hear.”

Chess' closing came as a shock not just to Levesque but to many Broadway fans.

The production — which will wrap its run after more than 250 performances, having begun performances in October 2025 — has been one of the season's most buzzed-about shows. Earlier this month, it earned five 2026 Tony Award nominations, thoughit notably missed out on a nod for Best Revival of a Musical. Michele was also absent from the Best Leading Actress in a Musical category despite strong reviews for her performance.

Directed by Michael Mayer, the revival marked the first Broadway staging ofChessin nearly 40 years. Featuring a score by Tim Rice, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA fame, the Cold War-set musical follows the romantic and political fallout surrounding a tense international chess tournament.

The revival's sudden closing marks another bittersweet chapter in the complicated Broadway history ofChess, which has long been considered one of musical theater's most beloved cult favorites.

After debuting as a 1984 concept album featuring songs like “One Night in Bangkok,” “Anthem” and “I Know Him So Well,” the musical became a hit in London's West End in 1986 before struggling during its original Broadway run two years later. Despite closing after just two months in 1988, the show developed a devoted fanbase through concert productions, regional stagings and decades of revival attempts.

In a statement announcing the closing, producers Tom Hulce, Robert Ahrens and The Shubert Organization said it had been “an enormous privilege” to bring the musical back to Broadway.

“We are immensely proud of the extraordinary work this cast and creative team have done in reimaginingChessfor a new generation of theatergoers while honoring the passionate fans who have championed this musical for nearly four decades,” the producers said.

Tickets for the final performances ofChessare on sale now.

Read the original article onPeople

Gwyneth Paltrow says adjusting to life as an empty nester has been emotionally challenging but rewarding

NEED TO KNOW

• Her daughter Apple Martin, 22, recently graduated from Vanderbilt and will appear in a Nancy Meyers movie

• Son Moses Martin is currently a sophomore at Brown University and is pursuing music with his band People I've Met and is signed to Interscope Records

Gwyneth Paltrowis keeping it real with how she's handling life as an empty nester.

The 53-year-old Goop founder got candid during an interview on theTodayshow on Wednesday, May 27, calling the experience of seeing her kids go off into the world “really hard.”

“I really struggled when they all went and then I thought, ‘Okay, I'm all good,' ” she admitted. “And then in September again, I kind of fell off a cliff for the second time. But now I feel like, it's what you want to happen. It's what you hope will happen that they will go off to their next phase of life and find their people.”

Paltrow shares daughterApple Martin, 22, and sonMoses Martin,20, with her ex-husband, Coldplay frontmanChris Martin.

“But it's hard as a mother. You have to reorient around what's ... because you're so focused on the kids and their schedules and their emotional health,” she explained.

Apple graduated from Vanderbilt University earlier this month and has already has a film role lined up in anupcoming Nancy Meyers movie.

“I'm really proud of her. It's really thrilling,” Paltrow said of her eldest child.

Advertisement

As for Moses, he is a sophomore at Brown University, but is also pursuing his budding music career.

“He signed to Interscope Records. He's in an amazing band, they're called People I've Met, and he's such a nice boy,” Paltrow said, grinning.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

As for the Oscar winner's advice for her kids about entering the entertainment industry, Paltrow kept it simple.

“It's hard. It's a difficult road, but it's worth pursuing if it's their absolute truth,” she said, before adding, “[Do] not read anything about themselves.”

This isn't the first time Paltrow has gotten candid about her struggles with being an empty nester. In 2024, she answered a fan's question about her kids leaving home on her Instagram Stories.

"Thank you for asking,"the actress replied in a video at the time."It's very different. I have waves of grief and sadness."

Read the original article onPeople

Jordyn Woods opened up about the strategy behind her outfits for New York Knicks games when she attends in support of her fiancé, Karl-Anthony Towns

NEED TO KNOW

• The model explained to Vogue why she doesn't switch up her looks, especially amid the Knicks' winning streak in pursuit of the 2026 NBA Championship title

• She and Towns announced their engagement in December 2025

Jordyn Woodsis superstitious when it comes to her style.

The fiancée of New York Knicks starKarl-Anthony Townsopened up about her game-day routine as her partner's team continues its epic run to the NBA Championship Finals and revealed the strategic reason she doesn't drastically switch up her looks.

"Once playoffs start, everything becomes part of the ritual if we keep winning,” Woods, 28, toldVogueafter Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, where Towns, 30, and the Knicks won 109–93 over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Understandably, Woods — who announced herengagement to Towns at Christmaslast year — doesn't foresee herself swapping out her "lucky" accessories anytime soon because they have consistently led to consecutive victories for the Knicks.

"We're nine wins in, and now I have my lucky Woods by Jordyn bag, my game-day GRWMs on TikTok, and a watch I refuse to take off. At this point, I'm not risking changing anything," she said. "I created a sample of the Tux Clutch Mini specifically for the playoffs."

"I wore it for Game 1 during one of my TikTok GRWMs, and ever since then we've kept winning, so now it's officially become the lucky bag," she added of her orange ostrich clutch.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Woods even noted that fans will call her out if the Knicks lose because she wasn't wearing the bag.

Advertisement

"It's gotten to the point where if people don't see me carrying it during a close game, they start blaming me for changing the routine. So let's just say the bag isn't leaving my side anytime soon," she revealed.

While her bag is a courtside staple, the rest of her outfits are pretty spontaneous. In fact, she tends to work best against the clock.

"My outfits are completely mood-based. Usually there's one piece I know I want to wear, and then I build the look around it," she told the outlet. "Most of the time I'm putting everything together an hour before I leave the house. Somehow the pressure always makes the look better."

Woods' game-day looks are fashion-forward, but they're also stylishly supportive of Towns. Whether it's incorporating the power forward's number into a garment or sporting his name on her sleeve, she's always repping custom clothing to games.

“My favorite pieces usually start as an idea in my head and come to life with the help of an incredible tailor who can execute the vision,” she shared. "I'll literally bring her a T-shirt or a pair of jeans and we'll start cutting, pinning, and rebuilding it from there."

She added, "I love the collaborative process of turning something simple into a one-of-one piece."

On Monday, May 25, the Knicks locked their spot in the 2026 NBA Finals after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 130–93. New York swept the Eastern Conference Finals 4-0, advancing to the championships for the first time since 1999.

Woods wore a classic Knicks bomber jacket, a white tank with Towns' No. 32 on it, denim jeans and orange sneakers. Shesmiled and posed with the basketball starafter the big win.

Read the original article onPeople

Megan Moroney performed at her best friend Natalie King's wedding

NEED TO KNOW

• At the event, which took place on Saturday, May 23, the country star played her first-ever single "Wonder"

• Moroney released "Wonder" in 2021

Megan Moroneygave her best friend the ultimate wedding present.

The country star performed the first song she ever released at her BFFNatalie King's wedding to Alex Harpon Saturday, May 23, in Turks and Caicos.

Moroney, 28, who was designated the influencer's maid of honor, shared footage of the performance of her song "Wonder"on TikTok.

During her set, where she sported a yellow chiffon dress with her hair in an updo, the "6 Months Later" artist told guests that the song was originally written for King, 28, years before.

"I've played this song a lot, but I think that this might be the most meaningful time that I play it," said Moroney. "For those of you who don't know, the first song I ever released was a song written for Natalie. She was trying to date some loser."

She continued, "In the song, I'm telling Natalie that if you just hold out, you're going to find someone who just shows up early, and you're never gonna have to wonder how he feels about you. And I definitely think with Alex, you've found that."

While playing the track, Moroney noted that the song is now "happy" and "we're celebrating."

Advertisement

"@Natalie King🥹," she simply captioned the post.

Moroney even changed the lyrics of the song during the wedding from "He won't make you wonder / You shouldn't have to wonder" to "He don't make Nat wonder / She shouldn't have to wonder."

"Wonder" was released in 2021.

Moroney, who, with nine nods, was themost nominatedartist at the2026 ACM Awards, revealedshe was skipping this year's ceremonyfor her BFF's wedding.

“i'm so honored to be nominated tonight,” Moroney wrote in a May 17 Instagram Stories post tagging King. “i'm rooting on all my friends from afar! I'm out of the country this week on [maid of honor] duty to get my bestie married.”

At the end of the post, which featured text over an image of Moroney and King wearing wedding-themed sweatsuits, the "Wish I Didn't" artist said she was looking forward to seeing fans at the opening night of theCloud 9 Touron May 29.

“i 🩷you guys & can't wait to see y'all in columbus!” Moroney wrote at the time. “counting down the days :)”

Read the original article onPeople

By Doina Chiacu and Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON, May 25 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he asked Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to join the Abraham Accords en masse to normalize relations with Israel as he tries ‌to negotiate an agreement to end the war with Iran.

Pakistan rejected the proposal. None of the other countries has so far publicly ‌reacted to Trump's demand and a positive response was unlikely when the public mistrust of Israel in these Muslim nations remains high over the scale of its military offensive in Gaza.

Trump ​said he spoke on Saturday to leaders of those countries, as well as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which have already signed the accords, a set of agreements to normalize relations with Israel.

"I am mandatorily requesting that all Countries immediately sign the Abraham Accords, and that, if Iran signs its Agreement with me, as President of the United States of America, it would be an Honor to have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition," Trump ‌wrote in a post on Truth Social.

He cited "all the ⁠work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together."

A Pakistani security source said Trump’s statement reflected an attempt to use Iran ceasefire diplomacy for a wider push around the Abraham Accords, but said ⁠the two issues were “not interlinked and cannot be made so."

"Pakistan is under no compulsion to adhere to any such demand,” the source said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump's post.

DEEPLY SENSITIVE ISSUE

Trump said one or two of the countries he spoke with may have ​a ​reason for not joining, but most should be "ready, willing, and able to make this ​Settlement with Iran a far more Historic Event than it ‌would, otherwise, be."

Advertisement

For Saudi Arabia — the birthplace of Islam and custodian of its two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina - recognizing Israel would be more than just a diplomatic milestone. It is a deeply sensitive national security issue tied to resolving one of the region’s oldest and most intractable conflicts.

The kingdom's longstanding position has been that it would not sign the accords unless there is an agreement on a roadmap to Palestinian statehood.

Egypt, Jordan and Turkey already have diplomatic relations with Israel, even as those ties have been strained since the start of the Gaza war.

Trump also said negotiations with Iran were "proceeding ‌nicely," but gave no indication a deal was imminent.

Longtime Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham ​has embraced the idea of linking an Iran deal to expanding the Abraham Accords as "beyond ​transformative for the region and world."

Others see the strategy as something ​to make an Iran deal more palatable to skeptics.

"Trump is trying to sell an Iran deal as an Abraham ‌Accords sequel: good for Israel, good for the region, tough ​enough for Washington," said Ali Vaez, Iran ​project director at the International Crisis Group.

"But he is trading one fantasy for another — from forcing Iran to surrender to pretending a fragile deal can anchor a new Middle East order."

Trump has repeatedly said he wants to expand the accords that he brokered during his ​first term in the White House.

The United Arab Emirates ‌and Bahrain signed during Trump's first term in 2020, breaking a longstanding taboo to become the first Arab states to recognise ​Israel in a quarter century. Morocco and Sudan followed suit.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu in Washington, additional reporting by Rami Ayyub in ​Jerusalem, Ariba Shahid in Karachi; Editing by Alison Williams, Chizu Nomiyama, Rod Nickel)

Law & Order: SVU showrunner Michele Fazekas reflects on the enduring fan interest around a relationship between Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler

NEED TO KNOW

• Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni originated the characters when the NBC show premiered in 1999

• Fazekas would love to include Meloni in SVU storylines, but says his busy schedule often poses a challenge

Showrunner Michele Fazekas knows whatLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitfans want most.

When asked if there's a storyline she's still eager to explore, the showrunner thought of one original character in particular.

"Obviously, everyone's always asking me about Stabler, and I love[Christopher] Meloni. I would use him as much as he wants to. I tried to!" Fazekas tells PEOPLE.

Meloni portrayed Det. Elliot Stabler—famously, Olivia Benson's "partner for life" — from the show's premiere in 1999 until he left the series in 2011. He reprised his role in 2021 for the spinoff seriesLaw & Order: Organized Crime, which ran for five seasons on NBC and Peacock.

PEOPLE confirmed in April thatOCwould not be returning for a sixth season.

“I wanted to take this moment to say thank you to the fans, who not only helped give the character of Elliot Stabler life and longevity, but for sticking with him and welcoming him back,"Meloni said in an Instagram video shortly after the news broke.

“Good ride," he added, as his eyes appeared to well up. "It was a good ride, I had a great time playing him. It was a great ride, but thank you. You helped give me a career that I never dreamed of. Nearly 17 odd years.”

Beyond theLaw & Orderuniverse, Meloni is now set to star in new Hulu seriesThe LandfromThis Is Uscreator Dan Fogelman. The cast also includesMandy MooreandWilliam H. Macy, and shooting took place over the last year in Los Angeles.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Advertisement

"[Meloni's] very, very busy. I tried to bring him into this. I'll just sometimes ask the question like, 'Hey, is he working?'" Fazekas says. "It's like, 'Oh yes, of course he's working.'"

For more than two decades,Meloni's Stabler andMariska Hargitay's Benson have been busting perps and fighting crime on NBC. They've also always hada lotof chemistry.

"Gosh. They know each other in an unspoken way, and I think it's the depth of their friendship. And they've madethese stabs or these attemptsat making this thing another thing..." Meloni previously told PEOPLE when asked about the "sexiest" part of the "EO" (Elliot and Olivia, as fans have dubbed them) relationship.

Fazekas says she's aware of the duo's storied history, and she wants to do it justice if she's able.

"I think that's a relationship that I really care about. I know the fans really care about [it]," says Fazekas, who also worked onSVUas a writer and co-executive producer from seasons 3 through 7. "So as much as I can, I would like to just acknowledge that and service that as much as he's available... which he's often not."

At the suggestion that she will have to just tell Meloni to clear his schedule when she needs him, Fazekas laughs.

"I know," she says. "Sorry!"

All episodes ofLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitcan be streamed on Peacock.

Read the original article onPeople

Ex-fiancés Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane Ramos came together to celebrate their younger daughter Aurora's 1st birthday, as seen in photos shared over the weekend

NEED TO KNOW

• On Saturday, May 23, the NFL quarterback and the wine specialist appeared in several pictures together, which they both shared on their Instagram pages

• Prescott and Ramos canceled their wedding on March 9, five weeks before it was set to happen in Italy

Dak PrescottandSarah Jane Ramoscelebrated a family milestone together nearly three months after theycalled off their engagement.

On Saturday, May 23, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback and his ex-fiancée took to their respective Instagram pages to document memories from their daughter Aurora's dinosaur-themed 1st birthday party. The photos show Prescott, 32, and Ramos, 32, smiling beside each other with their arms around Aurora and their older daughter, 2-year-old Margaret Jane.

Ramos posted one of the group photos on her Instagram Stories, writing in overlaying text, "Grateful for the best day celebrating her." Prescott reshared the snap to his own Stories, adding, "Happy 1st to this Special Girl! You are loved."

The wine specialist laterposted a full carousel of imagesfrom the memorable event, including more family photos with her ex.

"My A-Rawr-A! A little smile that can light up a whole city 💞. The happiest girl with the sweetest soul who loves on her sister and anyone in her presence so effortlessly," Ramos captioned her tribute to her younger child. "I love you more than I'll ever be able to put in words 🥹 Happy 1st Birthday, Rora girl. You changed my life forever and you'll always be mommy's baby 🙏❤️."

In honor of her daughter's birthday, the mom of two also uploaded a photo of her and Prescott in the hospital on the day Aurora was born. The NFL star smiled while Ramos held the infant, who could be seen under a breathing device attached to her face.

Advertisement

"A year ago today we were battling to get you Earthside," Ramos recalled in the caption of her Instagram Stories post, adding, "My little fighter."

PEOPLE confirmed Prescott and Ramos broke up on March 9, five weeks before they were meant to marry in Italy. They were first linked in September 2023 andgot engagedin October 2024.

At the time of their split, a representative for Ramos told PEOPLE exclusively that the pair were "both heartbroken that they're not getting married." Despite previous reports to the contrary, the rep added, "There wasn't any rockiness in the lead up, and there was no big argument or blow up. It was a mutual decision."

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"They love their girls, and they're committed to raising their children together in the most loving and positive way," added Ramos' rep. "It's still shocking for them since this happened so recently, and they ask for privacy while they sort everything out.”

On April 16, theysettled on an informal temporary custody agreementfor their daughters outside of court.

Read the original article onPeople

CAIRO (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal with Iran onthe warin the Middle East, including opening the Strait of Hormuz, has been “largely negotiated” after calls with Israel and other allies in the region over the weekend.

India United States Rubio

But other officials counseled caution on Sunday, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio noting that “significant progress, although not final progress has been made” in the negotiations.

Rubio, on a four-day visit to India for meetings with Indian, Australian and Japanese officials, said he hoped that there would be good news in the coming hours.

The negotiations have succeeded in one of Trump’s main aims, Rubio said, “that is a world that no longer has to be in fear or worry about an Iranian nuclear weapon.”

Trump said on Saturday he had spoken with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain, and separately with Israel.

“Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly,” Trump said on social media, with no details.

The announcement capped a week in which the U.S. weighed a new round ofattacks on the Islamic Republicthat would break a fragile ceasefire.

Details of a deal begin to emerge

The potential deal will include Iran’s commitment that it won’t pursue a nuclear weapon, and Tehran agreed to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, according to two regional officials.

One official, with direct knowledge of the negotiations, said how Iran will give up its highly enriched uranium is a subject of further negotiations over the course of a 60-day period.

It’s highly likely that a part of the amount will be diluted, while the rest will be transferred to a third country, potentially Russia, he said.

Iran has 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium that is enriched up to 60% purity, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The Strait of Hormuz will be gradually open in parallel with the U.S. ending its blockade of Iran’s ports, said the official.

Advertisement

The U.S. will also allow Iran to sell its oil through sanctions waivers, said the second official who has been briefed on the negotiations. Sanctions relief and release of Iran’s frozen funds will be negotiated during the 60-day time frame, he said.

Both officials said the draft deal includes an end of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as a commitment of not interfering in the domestic affairs of countries in the region. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss closed-door deliberations.

Twelve weeks have passed since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, killing top Iranian officialsincluding its supreme leaderand interrupting nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran for the second time in less than a year. Iran fired at Israel and at neighbors hosting U.S. forces, shaking Gulf nations that had considered themselves safe havens in a tough region.

A ceasefire has held since April 7. But Iran’s decision to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz for ships carrying regional oil, natural gas and other critical supplies has been a focal point of global concern and economic pain.

Israel concerned over Hezbollah

Israeli officials are concerned that Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group allied with Iran, remains a serious threat to Israel and that Lebanon is ill-equipped to disarm it.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Trump that Israel “maintains freedom of action against threats in all arenas, including Lebanon,” according to an official familiar with the conversation. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The official said Trump made it clear to Netanyahu that he will not sign any final agreement without the conditions that Iran dismantle its entire nuclear program and remove all enriched uranium from the country.

Israel’s Minister of Science and Technology Gila Gamliel, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party and part of his national security cabinet, told Israel's Army Radio on Sunday morning that Israel is taking a “wait-and-see” approach.

There is a fragile,U.S.-brokered ceasefirein the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon since April 17, a conflict that began two days after the Iran war started.

Despite the ceasefire, firing continues on both sides. Hezbollah launches daily drones and projectiles toward Israeli soldiers and northern Israel, and Israel strikes targets in Lebanon while its troops remain in large swaths of southern Lebanon.

More than 3,000 peoplehave been killed in the latest round of fighting, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Additionally, 22 Israeli soldiers and a defense contractor have been killed in or near southern Lebanon, and two civilians have been killed in northern Israel, mostly from Hezbollah drones, according to Netanyahu’s office.

Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.

Dolph Lundgren attended the Masters of the Universe premiere and reflected on passing the role of He-Man to Nicholas Galitzine

NEED TO KNOW

• Lundgren played He-Man in the 1987 live-action film Masters of the Universe

• Now, nearly 40 years later, Galitzine is stepping into the superhero's shoes for the 2026 remake of the same name

Dolph Lundgrenknows when it's time to put down the sword.

TheRocky IVactor caught up with PEOPLE at theMasters of the Universepremiere in Los Angeles on May 18, sharing what it meant for him tosee a new iteration of He-Mancome to life.

Lundgren, 68, says that “passing the sword over” toNicholas Galitzinewas a “great feeling for me.”

“It's great that he's such a great He-Man, and I think it's a great production, and I was really honored to be part of it," the actor says. "It was fun for me to show up in a movie and give him some advice when he needs it the most."

The muscle-bound hero first debuted as a Mattel action figure in 1982 and quickly became a pop culture craze due to the 1983 animated seriesHe-Man and the Masters of the Universe.Over the years, it has inspired multiple TV adaptations, comics and films.

Now, Galitzine, 31, takes over from Lundgren, who last played the superhero in a live-action 1987 film of the same name, which also starred Frank Langella, Meg Foster, Courteney Cox and Chelsea Field.

Lundgren says it's amazing "to realize that there's still something special about this franchise."

Advertisement

"There's something about what they created back in 1983, I think it was, the series came out, the little cartoon came out and the toys, and there's something about it that people respond to,” he says.

Lundgren has a cameo role in the new film, but rather than returning to Eternia, he portrays an Earth-bound character. The 2026 film also features Camila Mendes, Jared Leto, Alison Brie and Idris Elba, to name a few.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE'sfree daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In February of this year, Galitzine shared an Instagram post holding a He-Man action figure that was modeled after him.

"As [a] kid, I played with action figures a lot, and for hours every day I'd conjure up storylines in my head. I kinda think those moments were what birthed my sense of creativity," hewrote.

Sharing photos of himself holding the action figure, Galitzine continued, "Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I'd be staring at my own face on one of those figurines, but today's the day. Thank you @mattel and @mastersmovie for making my childhood dream come true."

Masters of the Universeis in theaters June 5.

Read the original article onPeople

Sienna Jones, 18, a senior at Masuk High School in Connecticut, was accepted into five Ivy League schools

NEED TO KNOW

• “I still am not fully comprehending the fact,” Sienna tells PEOPLE nearly three months later.

• When it came time to make a decision, she says choosing the community she wanted to be a part of was top of mind

When it came to the Ivy League lottery, one Connecticut high school student really hit the jackpot.

This past March, Sienna Jones, an 18-year-old senior at Masuk High School, learned that she was accepted into five Ivy League schools: Harvard, Brown, Cornell, Columbia and the University of Pennsylvania.

“I still am not fully comprehending the fact,” Sienna tells PEOPLE nearly three months later. “It's definitely a great feeling overall.”

Lisa Jones, 46, a nurse and Sienna's mom, says that the word “proud” doesn't begin to describe how she feels.

“She is so dedicated and motivated in everything she does," Lisa says. "Even though it was a surprise for her to be accepted to so many great schools, it is not hard to believe."

“It was a special moment for us to all be together as a family and Sienna's closest friends when she opened her acceptances,” Lisa adds. “There was lots of yelling and running outside. Not to mention tears on my part.”

Sienna says that she started the application process last summer. Ultimately, one thing each of the 28 schools she applied to had in common was a sense of community.

“I was just trying to get a good scope of what each school had to offer,” Sienna, whose story was first reported by Fox affiliateWTICand theCTPost, says. “Doing my research, that was really important.”

However, Sienna actually didn't visit the Ivy League schools she got into, mostly because she just didn't expect she'd actually get into them.

In the end, she chose Harvard University, which is about three hours away from where she lives in Monroe.

“I really like Boston as an area,” Sienna explains. “It's my favorite city, so I just thought that being in that location would be good for my major and my goals. But also, I feel like the community there is really, really good.”

Sienna says she has her late father, who died unexpectedly when she was in middle school, to thank for helping her realize the importance of working hard in school from a young age.

Advertisement

“He always instilled in us the importance of school,” Sienna says. “So I kind of just held onto that."

As Sienna started taking "classes that were a little harder" she "realized that I really liked them and wanted to try more."

Penny Ploski, Sienna's guidance counselor, describes her as both modest and amazing.

“She had built this whole AP government — which she was in at the time in 10th grade —  website for review that she shared with her peers, and her own teacher didn't know that,” Ploski says. "She just did it and shared it to help them prep."

Even when she's at home, Sienna can't help but set a good example. “Being the oldest of four siblings, Sienna is always the leader,” Lisa says. “Her brothers look up to her even when they won't admit it!”

When she's not hitting the books, the teen can be found in the pool — she's the captain of the varsity swim team and also works as a lifeguard — and taking part in band as well as the school's honor society.

“Honestly, there's definitely not enough hours in the day for doing all these things,” she says. “But I think in the end it really helped my time management skills to balance between school and working a job and doing sports.”

After graduating high school next month, Sienna will prepare to start school in late August, where she'll start on an educational journey that, at least right now, will hopefully end in a law career.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"As her mom, I'm beyond excited for her to begin her next chapter,” Lisa says. “And knowing I'm close enough to drop off some cookies when she needs them and be back home by dinner, but far enough away for her to be an independent baby adult does take away some of the sting of her leaving to college.”

As for what she hopes people can learn from her story, Sienna says it's that getting into the school of your dreams is possible, but it "takes a lot of hard work to get there."

“Take every assignment and try their best on it or with anything they do — just try your best in general, because you can get really good yields out of that,” she says.

Read the original article onPeople