Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Victoria Hayes Few frontmen have polarized crowds quite like Fred Durst. Depending on who you ask, he’s either the guy who kicked off nu-metal’s chaotic peak at Woodstock 1999 or the guy who quietly reinvented himself as an indie film director. Net worth: $20 million · Instagram followers: 2 million · Monthly Spotify listeners: 1.2 million · … Read more
There’s something about MS Dhoni that makes people hold on a little longer. At 43, stepping into his 18th IPL season in 2025, he’s the oldest active player in the tournament according to BBC News (UK-based broadcaster) — and he still hasn’t officially retired from the league. Age: 43 (as of 2025) · IPL titles: … Read more
The grinning man with the upturned hat held by a safety pin brought a uniquely Australian form of comedy to country music stages for 72 years. Chad Morgan, the “Sheik of Scrubby Creek,” died on 1 January 2025 at age 91, closing a career that turned vaudeville-country into a national tradition. Full name: Chadwick William … Read more
Few Japanese actors have crossed over to global fame as swiftly as Kento Yamazaki — but for every fan who discovered him as Arisu in Alice in Borderland, there’s another asking the same question: is he married, dating, or single? The line between verified fact and internet rumor has blurred so thoroughly that even a … Read more
Few Japanese actors have built a career quite like Kento Yamazaki, whose face you’ve almost certainly seen even if the name sounds new. From playing L in Death Note to leading Netflix’s global hit Alice in Borderland, he’s become one of Japan’s most in-demand stars. But all that fame has a flip side: a swirl … Read more
You’ve seen Sam Rockwell steal scenes in everything from Moon to Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and you probably wondered: what’s he actually like off-camera? Between the Academy Award, the stories about his hands, and a relationship that’s lasted nearly two decades, there’s a lot more to the actor than his IMDb page suggests. Here’s … Read more
Few performers leave such a strong imprint with deadpan delivery and a thousand-yard stare that you immediately recognize them in any role. Aubrey Plaza built a career on playing characters who seem completely unfazed, but her real life has involved moments that were anything but scripted. This article separates verified facts from the rumor mill, … Read more
If you grew up with a red-and-white-striped character named Waldo, you might be surprised to learn that the rest of the world knows him as Wally. The story behind that name swap reveals a fascinating clash of cultures, marketing decisions, and even a few controversies. First published: 1987 (UK) · Original series books: 7 · … Read more
When you first see Brandon Sklenar on screen as Spencer Dutton in 1923, there’s something instantly magnetic about him — a calm intensity that feels both old and new. He’s not yet a household name, but his résumé is quietly stacking up: from indie films to the Yellowstone prequel, Sklenar is on the verge of … Read more
If you’ve tuned into Australian breakfast radio anytime recently, you’ve likely heard Tommy Little’s voice cracking jokes alongside Carrie Bickmore. But behind the on-air banter is a comedian whose personal life — from an ADHD diagnosis to his relationship status — has become just as talked about as his stand-up sets. Here’s what we actually … Read more