Obama denies Area 51, Wasserman sells talent agency, Maya Hawke gets married

Obama clarifies his aliens “are real” comment and denies Area 51 conspiracy

Former President Barack Obama said he saw no evidence that aliens have visited Earth, clarifying remarks that spread online after he commented on a podcast that “they’re real.” Obama addressed the attention Sunday in a social media statement, saying that while life may exist somewhere in the universe, there is no proof extraterrestrials have made contact with Earth.

Obama made the remark during a recent interview with podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen, where he was asked in a “lightning round” whether extraterrestrials are real.

Obama said, “They’re real, but I haven’t seen them,” and said they are not being kept at Area 51. “There’s no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States,” he added.

Clips from the interview circulated widely over the weekend, prompting speculation that Obama was confirming alien life or secret government programs. In his follow-up post, Obama said he was answering in the spirit of the speed round and wanted to clarify his position.

He wrote on Instagram, “I was trying to stick with the spirit of the speed round, but since it’s gotten attention, let me clarify. Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there.

“But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we’ve been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!”

Obama has previously spoken about unidentified objects recorded by the US military. In 2021, he stated in an interview with “The Late Late Show” host James Corden that officials are still studying footage of unexplainable aerial objects. He did not link those incidents to extraterrestrial life.

Area 51, a highly classified Air Force site in southern Nevada, has long been tied to UFO conspiracy theories, including claims connected to a 1947 crash in Roswell, New Mexico. Obama’s latest remarks reiterate that he saw no proof of alien contact while in office, even as interest in unidentified aerial phenomena continues among lawmakers and the public.

Wasserman sells talent agency after appearance in the Epstein files

Hollywood is facing a fresh wave of upheaval after veteran power broker Casey Wasserman confirmed he is moving to sell his Los Angeles based talent agency amid controversy tied to newly resurfaced documents mentioning Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. 

In a company-wide email sent Friday to roughly 4,000 employees, Wasserman apologized directly for the turmoil. “I’m deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort,” he wrote, adding, “It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to the clients and partners we represent so vigorously and care so deeply about.” 

The controversy intensified after documents revealed that Wasserman flew on Epstein’s private plane in 2003 and exchanged emails with Maxwell. Wasserman has not been accused of wrongdoing by any of Epstein’s victims, and the appearance of his name in the files does not suggest criminal conduct. 

Meanwhile, several artists have also cut ties with the agency. Breakout pop star Chappell Roan announced her departure in a pointed Instagram statement, writing, “No artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values.” Though she did not directly reference the Epstein documents, her message underscored the ethical concerns swirling around the firm.

Other musicians including Orville Peck, Wednesday, and Weyes Blood have also stepped away. Former US soccer star Abby Wambach echoed that sentiment, stating, “I know what I know and I am following my gut and values. I will not participate in any business arrangement under his leadership.”

‘Charlie’s Angels’ reboot is in the works

Sony Pictures is taking another shot at one of its most recognizable action brands, with the studio quietly developing a fresh installment of the Charlie’s Angels franchise. 

The project is said to be in early stages, with Pete Chiarelli, best known for penning The Proposal, tapped to write the new screenplay, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The franchise’s roots stretch back to the original Charlie's Angels, which ran from 1976 to 1981 and turned Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, and Farrah Fawcett into household names. When it made the leap to theaters in 2000, the glossy, high energy adaptation–starring Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu–became a global smash. Both that film and its 2003 sequel, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, each pulled in more than $250 million worldwide.

Not every mission has been a success. The 2019 reboot directed by Elizabeth Banks and led by Kristen Stewart struggled commercially, earning significantly less than its predecessors. In the years since, Banks has suggested the film’s marketing may have narrowed its appeal, while Stewart later admitted she “hated” making the movie, though she praised the chemistry of the 2000 cast.

Maya Hawke and Christian Lee Hutson ties the knot

In a heartwarming twist on Valentine’s Day tradition, Maya Hawke and musician Christian Lee Hutson officially tied the knot on Saturday, February 14, 2026, treating friends, family and a few familiar faces to an intimate New York City ceremony.

The couple’s celebration had a distinctly star‑studded feel despite its personal tone. Hawke’s parents—Hollywood veterans Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke—were present and supportive, with Ethan even walking his daughter down the aisle at St. George’s Episcopal Church.

Meanwhile, several of Hawke’s Stranger Things co‑stars such as Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink and Joe Keery joined the festivities, creating an impromptu cast reunion that delighted fans and guests alike.

Fashion also played a memorable role in the day’s events. Hawke stunned in a classic white wedding gown accented by an oversized, feathery winter coat while Hutson opted for a timeless black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt and floral boutonniere.

ICYMI:

• A decade after Troye Sivan stepped into pop’s upper ranks with his debut studio album Blue Neighbourhood, the singer is revisiting the record that changed everything. To mark its 10-year anniversary, Sivan is unveiling Blue Neighbourhood – Ten Years On, a celebratory reissue that nods to the past while giving fans something new to hold onto.

• Hasbro marked the 40th anniversary of Transformers: The Movie with an unusual twist, issuing an apology to fans. In a lighthearted statement, the company said, “To all the loyal fans: We hear you and we feel your pain. As a gesture of goodwill, we'd like to make it up to you with ‘The Apology Tour.’”

• Caleb McLaughlin opened up about his thoughts on the Stranger Things “Conformity Gate” theory, calling it “dumb.” The actor explained, “I get that people want to live in this optimistic place of, ‘Oh, we want more Stranger Things,’ but the show is done, guys. I was like, ‘Guys, it’s over. It’s been ten years. We were full-on kids and now we’re full-on adults, and we don’t need any more of us.’”

— Bea Bertuldo

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