Daily Pop Culture Scuttlebutt September 21, 2025
Daily pop culture scuttlebutt first story today is about Kristen Chenoweth saying Charlie Kirk came from a human moment of reflection and generates backlash. The Charlie Kirk assassination continues to generate stories a press coverage. The second story on today’s daily pop culture scuttlebutt is about Bob Iger’s Wife, Willow Bay, being possibly relocated for her free speech fundraiser. The third story in the daily scuttlebutt today is about Tim Burton splitting from his girlfriend of two years. Were you upset by the assassination of Charlie Kirk?
Daily #1: Kristin Chenoweth Says Charlie Kirk Tribute Came From ‘Human Moment of Reflection’ Amid Backlash
Kristin Chenoweth is speaking out about the criticism she faced for posting a tribute following Charlie Kirk‘s death, and she said that she understood that mourning his death on social media “hurt some folks” in the LGBTQ+ community, which she said “hurt” her. After Kirk was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University on September 10, Chenoweth took to her Instagram Stories to react to the news. “What a heartbreak. His young family. I know where he is now. Heaven. But still,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories.
“Such a sad, senseless, and disgusting act!” she continued on the shooting. “Wow … prayers for the Kirk family and prayers for our nation.” After she faced some backlash for the tribute, Chenoweth reacted to the criticism during an interview with NY1 on Thursday when Frank DiLella pointed out that she had a large “LGBTQ+ fanbase.” He continued, “For members and allies in the LGBTQ+ community, Charlie was a controversial figure. He opposed same-sex marriage, trans rights. What were you hoping to convey with that post?”
Chenowith responded, “I saw what happened online with my own eyes, and I had a human moment of reflection. Just right then, I came to understand that my comment hurt some folks. And that hurt me so bad. I would never. It’s no secret that I’m a Christian, that I’m a person with faith. It’s also no secret that I’m an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. And, for some, that doesn’t go together.” However, Chenoweth insisted that being a Christian and LGBTQ+ ally have “always” gone hand in hand and “always will.”
Daily #2: Bob Iger’s Wife Willow Bay May Be Forced to Relocate Her Free-Speech Fundraiser
The fallout from The Walt Disney Company’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show off the air is now threatening to engulf Bob and Willow Bay Inger. Willow Bay is the dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Iger, along with Disney Entertainment chairman Dana Walden, was the Disney exec who pulled the plug on Kimmel’s suspension over on-air comments about Charlie Kirk’s murder — and that decision has prompted a journalism non-profit that Bay (and Iger) have supported for years to consider distancing themselves from the westside power couple.
An annual fundraiser for the International Women’s Media Foundation, an organization dedicated to elevating female journalists and boasts some of the biggest names in broadcast journalism as board members, CBS’ Norah O’Donnell, NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell, and ABC News’ Kerry Smith, among others, is reconsidering its decision to hold its annual fundraiser at Bay and Iger’s home next month, according to several sources. No final decision has been made, but several board members have expressed their concerns internally over the optics of holding a free speech event at the home of the man who yanked Kimmel off the air.
Daily #3: Tim Burton and Monica Bellucci Split After Two Years of Dating
Hollywood director Tim Burton and actress Monica Bellucci are heading their separate ways after nearly three years of dating. The couple, who sparked a romance in October 2022, announced their separation in a statement to Elle France on Friday. “It is with much respect and deep care for each other that Monica Bellucci and Tim Burton have decided to part ways,” the statement read.
“What I can say … I’m glad I met the man, first of all,” Belluccu told the New York Post at the time. “It’s one of those encounters that rarely happens in life … I know the man, I love him, and now I’m going to meet the director, another adventure begins.” “I love Tim. And I have great respect for Tim Burton,” she said of the filmmaker, whom she has known since 2006.
Conclusion
Today’s daily pop culture scuttlebutt included a first story about Kristen Chenoweth saying Charlie Kirk came from a human moment of reflection and generating backlash. The second story on today’s daily pop culture scuttlebutt is about Bob Iger’s Wife, Willow Bay, being possibly relocated for her free speech fundraiser. The third story in the daily scuttlebutt today is about Tim Burton splitting from his girlfriend, Monica Bellucci, after two years.
