Actor Frankie Muniz Crashes NASCAR Truck Days After New ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Spinoff Premieres

ActorFrankie Muniz— star of the TV sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle” — crashed his truck in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday, April 11.

Muniz, 40, did not sustain any significant or notable injuries as a result of the crash, according to multiple reports, though he was unable to finish the race.

“I actually thought we were running pretty good. I felt pretty quick,” he told Fox Sports’Bob Pockrassafter Friday’s race. “We were in the lucky dog position, so I was just trying to do some good lap times. I think there was like 10 to go on the stage.”

Muniz’s new show, “Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair,” premiered the very same day. The show, a spinoff of the iconic early 2000s sitcom, features Muniz reprising his classic role.Bryan CranstonandJane Kaczmarekalso return to their roles in the four-episode miniseries.

Frankie Muniz Says He Hates ‘Hearing Actors Talk,’ Wonders ‘Do I Sound Like Such a Tool?’

Muniz — racing in a “Malcolm in the Middle”-themed F-150 truck — crashed withTyler ReifandTimmy Hillon Turn 3 of the track.

“I think [Reif] maybe got impatient, I don’t know,” Muniz said. “He was yelling at me in there, saying I’m a lapper, like I shouldn’t be racing. I’m in the lucky dog position. I’m fighting. I belong on that racetrack just as much as he does, just as much as the leaders do.”

He continued, “I’m not going to back down on that. I haven’t seen a replay, but based on what I felt, I went to the middle of the track. I didn’t track all the way out to show that I was going to go back to the bottom.”

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As the two drivers went into the turn, Reif seemingly clipped Muniz’s truck while trying to pass him, and both trucks crashed into the wall. Hill was right behind Reif and ended up in the crosshairs of the crash.

Muniz has been passionate about racing since he was a kid, and is famously one of the last people whospoke with the late NASCAR legend,Dale Earnhardt, before his fatal 2001 crash.

“He was extremely friendly to me,” Muniz recalled of the legendary driver in the February 2026 FS1 documentaryWe’ve Lost Dale Earnhardt: 25 Years Later. “And I remember he said, ‘I have to say thank you to you … because your show has brought me and my daughter closer together.’ He’s like, ‘It’s something that we turn on Sunday nights and we watch together.’”

Frankie Muniz’s 5-Year-Old Son Is the Real Star of the ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Reboot Premiere

"Malcolm in the Middle" was at the peak of its popularity at that time.

Muniz broke into racing in 2004 after stepping away from the Hollywood spotlight, making his professional racing debut in 2006.

In 2024, Munizannounced that he would be racing fulltimeduring the 2025 NASCAR season.

“This is something that I’ve been working [toward] for literally 20 years when I did my first race,” Muniz said of racing at the time. “That feeling of crossing the finish line first in that pro-celebrity race, was an incredible, incredible feeling and I’ve been chasing that.”

byAnio Baumeister

in

April 13, 2026

Actor Frankie Muniz Crashes NASCAR Truck Days After New ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Spinoff Premieres

ActorFrankie Muniz— star of the TV sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle” — crashed his truck in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Bris...

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Sydney Sweeney Exposes Influencer’s Lie, And Gets Praised For It In Resurfaced Screenshots

Sydney Sweeneyhas once again goneviralafter an old controversy involving afake influencerresurfaced online and started circulating widely on X.

The incident, which originally unfolded in February 2024, has drawn fresh reactions as users revisit how the actress directlyshut downthe claim at the time.

As screenshots of herresponsespread again, many have praised the wayEuphoriastar handled the situation without hesitation.

“Sydney’s no-BS reply is gold. More celebs need to roast these scammers,” one user wrote.

Sydney Sweeney once brutal response resurfaced after she shut down influencer’s false claim

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The situation began when anInstagramuser posted a reel claiming they had worked as Sweeney’s dietician for five years.

“I wasSydneySweeney’s dietician [sic] for 5 years. This is how I helped her get her dream role with 5 easy food swaps,” the caption read, immediately raising eyebrows due to both the claim and the spelling.

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The video went on to suggest that the actress swapped out her favorite comfortfoods, including Kraft Mac and Cheese, as part of a structured diet plan.

However, the claim didn’t go unnoticed.

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Sweeney herself appeared toresponddirectly under the post, writing, “I don’t know you, and Kraft Mac & Cheese is for life.”

The reply quickly went viral, with screenshots spreading across platforms as people reacted to her shutting down theclaimin a single sentence.

The internet backed her response as people called out the influencer

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As the post gained traction once again, users didn’t hold back in criticizing the false claim.

“It’s not just embarrassing, it’sunethical. You’re literally using someone else’s identity to sell something they have nothing to do with,” one person wrote.

Another added, “Are people not embarrassed to lie like this?” while someone else pointed out, “Incorrect spelling of ‘Dietitian’ is embarrassing for her.”

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Others focused on the bigger issue of influencers using celebrity names forcredibility.

“They actually need to sue these people. Fakeinfluencerstrying to monetise off their names,” one comment read.

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“This is so strange. ” Why would you lie about that like she’s not on the internet and can’t see it,” another user wrote.

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Some even mocked the claim itself. “There’s no way that 26-year-old was a dietician for a Hollywood star for 5 years,” one person said.

The controversy didn’t stop there, as the woman in the video revealed a shocking truth

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It later emerged that the image used in thevideohad been taken from another woman who had no connection to the situation. She addressed the situation, explaining that her photo had been stolen and used without her consent.

“Somebody stole my picture… I do not support what is being said in this video whatsoever, nor do I have any background in nutrition,” she clarified.

Image credits:sydney_sweeney

The influencer’s account was eventually deleted, but the situation added to ongoingconcernsabout misleading ads and fake expertise being promoted online.

As one user put it, “Hmm. They have been doing it for the longest time, and nothing has changed.”

The resurfaced moment came as Sweeney faced renewed attention aroundEuphoriaseason 3

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AsreportedbyBored Panda,the resurfaced clip comes at a time when Sweeney is already in the spotlight ahead ofEuphoriaseason 3.

The actress recently appeared at the show’s premiere on April 7, where her red carpet look drew mixed reactions online. Critics questioned her styling, with some calling it “unusual” while others compared it to pastfashion choices.

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At the same time, the show’s trailer also sparked discussion, with viewers revisiting pastcontroversieslinked to Sweeney, including her American Eagle campaign and public image.

As one comment read, “People used to get away with this, but celebs are online way too much now for it to work.”

“Incorrect spelling of ‘dietican’ is embarrassing for her,” wrote one user

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byAnio Baumeister

in

April 13, 2026

Sydney Sweeney Exposes Influencer’s Lie, And Gets Praised For It In Resurfaced Screenshots

Sydney Sweeneyhas once again goneviralafter an old controversy involving afake influencerresurfaced online and started circulating wide...

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“Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat” Fans Shocked When They Realize Why Helen Looks Familiar

In Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat, Anthony Norman is the only real participant surrounded by actors in a staged workplace scenario

NEED TO KNOW

• One of those actors was Stephanie Hodge, who played Helen on the show

• Known for her role on Unhappily Ever After, Hodge’s familiar face tipped off audiences even as Norman remained unaware

The world was introduced to Anthony Norman onJury Duty Presents: Company Retreat— but there were other people on the show that viewers recognized from past television roles.

In the second season of Prime Video’s hit series, Norman was chosen as the one unsuspecting participant, navigating what he believed was a real company retreat — complete with workplace drama, leadership shakeups and uneasy team dynamics.

In reality,every person around him was an actor, and the entire scenario had been staged. By the time the truth was revealed, Norman learned he’d been the only non-actor all along and was awarded $150,000 for playing his part without even knowing it.

While Norman comes close to questioning the situation — at one point admitting it feels like he might be on a TV show — some viewers were busy recognizing one of many familiar faces hidden in plain sight.

Helen, the company’s blunt, unfiltered accountant, quickly stood out. Beyond her dry delivery and no-nonsense attitude, there was something familiar about her — and many viewers were quick to figure out why.

She was played by Stephanie Hodge, a longtime television actress whose face is instantly recognizable to audiences who grew up watching network sitcoms.

Hodge is best known for her role as Jennie Malloy onUnhappily Ever After, a WB sitcom where she played the sharp, often exasperated mother in an unpredictable and chaotic household.

Even though her time on the show was relatively short, the role left a strong impression, making her one of those actors viewers remember the moment they see her again.

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That sense of recognition became part of the viewing experience. For some, spotting Hodge added an extra layer to the show’s premise, because while Norman was completely unaware he was surrounded by actors, parts of the audience weren’t.

“Very specific flex: Company Retreat wouldn’t have been able to fool me because I was raised by TV and would have immediately clocked Stephanie Hodge,” one fanwrote on Threads.

“'Oh hey it’s the mom from Unhappily Ever After' - me getting kicked off the first episode of Jury Duty," anotheradded on X.

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.

Despite being surrounded by actors,Norman told PEOPLEin a recent interview that he still learned a little something from each of them.

"With me, with still trying to figure out who I am and what I want to do in life, they taught me that it's not the job. It doesn't matter where you're at. It's the people around you," he said after the show's big reveal.

On Friday, April 10,Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreatreturned for its reunion.

Read the original article onPeople

byAnio Baumeister

in

April 12, 2026

“Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat” Fans Shocked When They Realize Why Helen Looks Familiar

In Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat , Anthony Norman is the only real participant surrounded by actors in a staged workplace scenari...

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Huntr/x join Katseye at Coachella for surprise performance of “KPop Demon Hunters” hit 'Golden'

Katseye were down a member for theirCoachella 2026debut on Friday, but they gained an entire girl group — Huntr/X fromKPop Demon Hunters.

The ladies behind the fictional K-Pop girl group Huntr/x — Ejae (Rumi), Audrey Nuna (Mira), and Rei Ami (Zoey) — made a surprise appearance for a performance of the movie's Academy Award–winning song, "Golden," joining Katseye (now a quintet) on the Sahara stage.

The crowd recognized "Golden" immediately as it played over the speakers of the darkened backdrop. But when the lights came on, it was Katseye as Yoonchae Jeong and Megan Skiendiel took turns singing the opening lines.

Then, one by one, the three Huntr/x talents stepped into the spotlight as the cheers hit higher decibels. The eight voices harmonized "Golden" so flawlessly, perhaps a new supergroup was just born at the festival.

This was Katseye's first performance without fan-favorite Manon Bannerman, who announced her hiatus from the group in February.

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"After open and thoughtful conversations together, we are sharing that Manon will be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health and well-being," Katseye said in a statement. "We fully support this decision. Katseye remains committed to showing up for one another and for the fans who mean everything to us. The group will continue scheduled activities during this time, and we look forward to being together again when the time is right."

Fans got their first look at the five-piece the day before Coachella, when Katseye dropped the video for their new single, "Pinky Up."

"Golden" made history at the 2026 Oscars when it became the first K-pop song to win the award for Best Original Song. But it was the track's writers who made headlines on the big night whentheir acceptance speech was cut offimmediately after Ejae first addressed the crowd.

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with ourEW Dispatch newsletter.

"Thank you to the Academy for this insane award," the singer said during the ceremony. "Growing up, people made fun of me for liking K-pop, but now everyone's singing our song and all the Korean lyrics. I'm so proud. And I realized, like the song, this award is not about success — it's about resilience. And I'm just so grateful to our team."

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byAnio Baumeister

in

April 11, 2026

Huntr/x join Katseye at Coachella for surprise performance of “KPop Demon Hunters” hit 'Golden'

Katseye were down a member for theirCoachella 2026debut on Friday, but they gained an entire girl group — Huntr/X fromKPop Demon Hunter...

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Japanese town sours on the crowds coming to see cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji

FUJIYOSHIDA, Japan (AP) — The trouble started with a beautiful photo.

Japan Mount Fuji Cherry Blossom Woes

Social media was soon awash with the lovely view of Japan's snow-cappedMount Fujilooming over a red pagoda and the short-livedcherry blossomsthat herald the approach of spring.

Tourists wanting a similar shot soon packed this peaceful town at the foot of the mountain. The complaints were not far behind: chronic traffic jams; piles of litter; ill-mannered foreigners knocking on doors of private homes to borrow toilets; tourists relieving themselves in front yards.

It got so bad officials in Fujiyoshida announced in February that they were canceling this year’s annual cherry blossom festival, which started as a way to promote tourism a decade ago.

What locals are calling “tourism pollution” has illuminated a broader problem for Japan: As the country's economic malaise deepens, officials are eager for the economic boost of increased tourism, even as local communities find themselves entirely unprepared for what a small army of foreign visitors means for their communities.

10,000 tourists a day 'threaten residents' daily lives'

“This area is primarily an ordinary residential neighborhood, where balancing (tourism) with the safety of people's living environment has become difficult,” Masatoshi Hada, manager of the Fujiyoshida Economics and Environment Department, told The Associated Press. “We decided not to promote a festival that would invite more visitors.”

Even without the festival, foreign tourists packed the area on a sunny day in early April whencherry blossomsreached their prime. The narrow streets up to the popular Arakurayama Sengen Park were filled as the visitors lined up for a chance film the world-famous panoramic views.

In recent years, foreign tourists have exceeded 10,000 per day in the area, something that has “threatened residents’ daily lives,” the city said in a statement in February.

‘Tourism pollution’ across Japan

Overtourism has also been seen in other popular destinations in Japan, like Kyoto and Kamakura. In Kyoto, locals complain of tourists with large suitcases clogging city buses.

“Tourism pollution” comes as Japan confronts a rapidly growing population of foreign workers brought in as the country's population dwindles and ages. The combination has led toxenophobia, and Prime MinisterSanae Takaichi’s nationalistic government has proposed tougher rules on foreigners.

Even as it promises to address overtourism concerns, the government wants to boost the current level of 40 million inbound tourists to 60 million visitors by 2030.

Locals find the tourism ‘good but annoying’

Beginning April 1, at the start of the region’s cherry blossom season, Fujiyoshida increased its security guards and restricted entry of tour buses and vehicles into the scenic neighborhood, requiring visitors to reach the park on foot.

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On a recent day, security guard Hiroaki Nagayama gestured to passersby so they would stay out of busy areas. He asked tourists to throw cigarette butts in designated places and tried to help the lost.

“I’m struggling. I cannot communicate with them in Japanese. Some people buy food at stalls and leave litter behind,” Nagayama says. “I think what’s happening here is a typical example of overtourism.”

Sitting on a bench outside his house just a couple of blocks away, Hitoshi Mori, 93, says having many visitors is “good but annoying.”

“It’s too crowded outside so I can only get groceries once a week and stock up on food,” he says.

Tourists enjoy the view and culture, despite crowds

Tourists, meanwhile, seem delighted by the spectacular view, despite many signs popping up that order them to behave better. There are also hours-long lines to get to cherished scenic spots.

“It’s pretty (well) organized. When they let you come in, you have like five minutes to take as many pictures as you can, and it was amazing,” said Lisa Goerdert from Paris.

Vicky Tran, who came from Melbourne, Australia, with her family and friends, said they could not go all the way up to see the pagoda with Mount Fuji and the cherry blossoms, because it was too crowded. Still, she said she enjoyed the view and the neighborhood.

Overtourism dividing residents

The overtourism has opened divisions between residents who want quiet and those who have started businesses using their yards to operate toll parking or setting up new shops or food stalls.

In a nearby shopping arcade that once had many closed mom-and-pop shops, business has picked up after another viral social media shot showed Mount Fuji looming over the street.

Throngs of tourists stand in the street to take photos of Mount Fuji, often blocking traffic, with frustrated vehicles honking.

The sudden flood of visitors is a huge change “for people like us who are used to a quiet suburban lifestyle,” says Masami Nakamura, who runs a decades-old school uniform shop with her husband. “I only hope the tourists respect our rules and manners.”

The crowds are a big change even for those who are seeing increased business.

“I once almost hit a tourist who jumped into the street without looking,” said Kyoko Funakubo, a 60-year-old employee at a local hotel and a part-time vendor selling Fuji-themed souvenirs. “This place used to be almost abandoned, with many shuttered shops. But now, with many stores reopened or new shops that have opened, I feel good seeing this area come alive again.”

byAnio Baumeister

in

April 10, 2026

Japanese town sours on the crowds coming to see cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji

FUJIYOSHIDA, Japan (AP) — The trouble started with a beautiful photo. Japan Mount Fuji Cherry Blossom Woes Social media was ...

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