celebrity

From Austin Butler to famous American punk band: Hungary swarmed by superstars

Austin Butler embarked on numerous adventures alongside Florence Pugh. Last summer saw the filming of the second instalment of Dune in Hungary, drawing world-renowned stars like Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgard and Josh Brolin back to Budapest. Joining the cast were Léa Seydoux, Christopher Walken and the returning Florence Pugh and Austin Butler.

Austin Butler’s visit

During the New York premiere of the film, the actor expressed his fondness for Hungary to a reporter, highlighting his extended stay in the country during filming according, as reported by 24.hu.

I was in Hungary for the whole shoot, it was wonderful. It truly is a beautiful country

shared Austin Butler, who also disclosed that he had shared many experiences in Hungary with his colleague Florence Pugh. The actor also discussed how Florence Pugh encouraged them to break out of their tendency to become overly absorbed in their acting roles, urging them to embark on explorations across Hungary.

Their shared adventures across the country left both actors with unforgettable experiences. Austin Butler now joins a long line of celebrities captivated by Hungary’s allure. Yet, as a legendary American band prepares to make its debut appearance, what impressions will they carry back about this charming country?

Circle Jerks coming to Hungary

Making its debut appearance, the iconic American band called Circle Jerks is set to take the stage in Hungary. Having reunited once again in 2022, the band will unleash their raw energy at the Dürer Kert Great Hall on 29 May, promising to captivate audiences with their timeless album, Group Sex, now celebrating its 40th anniversary. Formed in 1979 in the vibrant music scene of Los Angeles, this hardcore punk sensation was born from the creative minds of Keith Morris, the founding vocalist of Black Flag, and Greg Heston, renowned guitarist from Redd Kross and later, Bad Religion.

Spearheading the first wave of hardcore punk, Circle Jerks made their mark with the groundbreaking release of Group Sex in 1980, followed by the influential album Wild in the Streets in 1982. Despite several hiatuses, their 2019 reunion announcement, slated for 2022, reignited their fervour, leading to a consistent touring schedule. Joining the original lineup founders are guitarist Zander Schloss and drummer Joey Castillo, acclaimed for his work with Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal.

Noteworthy is the opening act preceding Circle Jerks, featuring the revered Hungarian punk ensemble, Böiler, led by singer-guitarist János Riger, whose recent performances and music videos have garnered significant attention. In an exclusive interview, Riger attributes Böiler’s success to their distinctive approach within the punk scene, resonating deeply with their audience – as reported by Telex.

Read also:

You would not believe these world-famous celebrities have Hungarian origins – HERE
What a tribute! Hungarian set decorator wins at the BAFTA Awards – HERE

March 3, 2024

Logan Paul’s popular energy drink bursts onto the Hungarian market

Prime, the energy drink Logan Paul and KSI created, has conquered the world. Now, the next destination is Hungary. Prime has been available in certain special shops in the country, but now it will be added to the offer of some supermarkets and drugstores. Naturally, the price is expected to be more favourable in the supermarkets than in the smaller shops.

Logan Paul and KSI team up

Over the years, Logan Paul has gathered a fair amount of following. Logan Paul’s fame stems from his multifaceted career as a content creator, actor, social media influencer, and occasional athlete, coupled with his ability to generate attention positively and negatively. He had his fair share of controversies over the years, including sharing insensitive content on his YouTube channel. Logan Paul and his constant controversies have garnered significant media attention and shaped public perception of him. What could be a better idea than creating his product while endlessly being the show in town?

Logan Paul teamed up with KSI, a fellow YouTube icon. The two of them have 40 million followers on various social media platforms which means that whatever they do, they have an audience. The duo brought the Prime energy drink to life in 2022 in collaboration with Congo Brands. As expected, there was a huge hype about the energy drink in the USA. After this great success, Prime has set to conquer the international market.

Prime in Hungary

As Pénzcentrum has reported, last year, the hype around the energy drink was enormous. However, it was rather hard to acquire it in Hungary. As only a few shops and online stores were selling it, the price was sky-high. One bottle of Prime was priced between HUF 6000 (EUR 15.3) and HUF 8000 (EUR 20.4) last May. As time passed, the price fell to around HUF 3000 (EUR 7.6) in most special shops and online. Now, Prime is already on the shelves of the Hungarian Müller stores for the low price of HUF 1495 (EUR 3.8). For comparison, the same drink costs around EUR 3.49 in neighbouring Austria.

What does the future hold for Prime in Hungary? While the hype surrounding the iconic beverage seems to disappear, another supermarket chain joins in the distribution of the energy drink. Pénzcentrum has been informed that the drinks will soon be available in all Spar and Interspar stores. However, the pricing of this product remains a mystery for now.

The pricing’s international tendency

A South African article has documented the substantial price drop of Logan Paul’s Prime, which is similar to the tendency witnessed in the Hungarian market. Prime first arrived in South Africa in April 2023. Only a few shops were selling it, thus the prices were high. In some cases, the price for one 500ml Prime was about EUR 38.2, which is quite unbelievable. What is even more mind-blowing is that this February, the very same drink only cost around EUR 1 in South Africa.

Risks of energy drinks

As always, we should keep in mind the undeniable risks of energy drinks. Prime does not contain any sugar, but it does contain 200mg of caffeine. A cup of coffee contains roughly the same amount of caffeine as this 500ml energy drink. The caffeine itself is not the core of the health concerns. The danger lies in the fact that energy drinks in general are sweet and very easily consumed at a fast pace. When drinking energy drinks, we should always keep in mind the recommended amount of caffeine.

Read also:

March 2, 2024

Zsa Zsa Gabor’s widower: I will pay a huge sum to anyone who bears me an heir

Zsa Zsa Gabor’s 80-year-old widower, Prince Frédéric von Anhalt, wants to leave this world knowing that someone will inherit the huge fortune he has. For this, he would be prepared to pay a substantial sum: USD 1 million.

Prince Frédéric von Anhalt wants a child of his own

The Hungarian-born Hollywood star, Zsa Zsa Gabor’s former husband has a fortune of around USD 60 million. This sum is held in a trust fund, to which only Von Anhalt has access currently, Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, reports. The prince had been searching in vain for an heir so far. Thus, his newest plan is a child of his own, now that the right person has not been found.

“[I need] anyone who is found worthy to be my heir. However, this is conditional on their desire to continue and keep alive the life’s work of Zsa Zsa Gábor, and that is why I am trying to adopt someone worthy,” the prince has said several times. However, his plan seems to have failed for the time being.

Unable to find a suitable heir, Frédéric von Anhalt decided to find a surrogate mother to bear him a child. He came up with a fabulous offer to anyone who accepts: USD 1 million.

“I’m running out of time”

“Girls, all I want is a child of my own. I need an heir because I’m running out of time,” Frédéric von Anhalt wrote on his Instagram page. The man confirmed to Blikk that he would be the perfect sugar daddy for anyone who helped him solve this problem. Sugar daddies are older and wealthy men who provide financial support to a younger girl in exchange for her companionship or intimate contact.

The prince does not want an intimate relationship, only a woman who will bear him a child. The lady chosen would be a real winner, as the offer could make her a million dollars richer. What is more, on special occasions, she could even wear pieces from Zsa Zsa Gabor’s jewellery collection worth millions of dollars – at least that’s what the widower of the diva promises.

I don’t want my money to go to the state,

Prince Anhalt declared.

His previous heir disappointed von Anhalt

The prince adopted a German footballer, Kevin Feucht, a few years ago, but he did not live up to his hopes.

“I was very disappointed in him, so Kevin is a thing of the past, he’s not my heir anymore. He is not worthy to carry on Zsa Zsa’s life’s work and mine. My previous adopted sons were only interested in the title, not in the work,” said Frédéric von Anhalt. In recent years, he has adopted a fitness studio owner, a nightclub boss, a fashion designer, a lawyer and a brothel owner, and still has no heir.

A fun fact about Zsa Zsa Gabor

Gábor Zsazsa, Hungary, actress — Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Did you know that the gravestone of the Hungarian-born diva in the Fiumei Road Graveyard in Budapest does not have years on it?

“There is no year on it because Zsa Zsa always hated it when people knew how old she was. She once threw her passport in the trash and had a new one made at the consulate just to be eight years younger on her papers,” Blikk quoted the prince as saying.

Almost a year after Zsa Zsa Gabor’s funeral in Hungary, in 2022, the Hollywood diva’s tombstone was been completed in the Fiumei Road Graveyard. The headstone, however, bears only the actress’ name and a strange word: Da-h-lin’ k’, which is how Zsa Zsa pronounced the word darling.

Read also:

February 28, 2024

You would not believe these world-famous celebrities have Hungarian origins

It might not be obvious that some stars are of Hungarian origins, as their names are far from being Hungarian. However, many Hollywood stars and other world-famous celebrities are the descendants of Hungarians. Here is a list of some celebrities who have Hungarian ancestry.

Hungarian origins

Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein is an American fashion designer who founded the Calvin Klein Inc. company in 1968. He is best known for his clothing lines, including his iconic jeans and underwear collections, as well as his fragrances. As Hamu és Gyémánt notes, his name does not sound Hungarian, it has a German ring to it. However, he is, in fact, also connected to our small country, as his father Leo Klein was born in Hungary. Calvin Klein was born and raised in New York.

Rachel Weisz

Rachel Weisz is an actress known for her versatile performances in film, television, and theatre. She gained widespread recognition for her roles in various critically acclaimed movies. She starred in films such as Definitely, Maybe (2008), The Bourne Legacy (2012) and Black Widow (2021). Not many know that the actress has Hungarian blood flowing in her veins from her father’s side. Her father, György Weisz, was an engineer and inventor of Hungarian descent. The family fled to England in 1938 to escape Nazi persecution, and the actress was born there in 1970.

Peter Falk

Peter Falk was an American actor, best known for his iconic role as Lieutenant Columbo in the television series “Columbo.” Aside from “Columbo,” Falk appeared in many notable films, including “Pocketful of Miracles” (1961), “The Great Race” (1965), “A Woman Under the Influence” (1974), and “Wings of Desire” (1987), among others. Falk was born in 1927 to American accountant parents. However, the family is of Eastern European-Jewish descent, including Czech and Russian. His maternal grandfather, Peter Hochhauser, was born in Budapest.

Drew Barrymore

As we wrote HERE earlier, Drew Barrymore’s mother, Ildikó Makó, was born in a camp for Hungarian refugees post-WWII. Later, she moved to the USA in hopes of a glamorous acting career. Thus, she changed her name to Jaid. Drew Barrymore was born in 1975 and she became an actress as well. She gained fame as a child actress for her role in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), playing Gertie. In addition, she is also known for her performances in a variety of genres, including romantic comedies, dramas, and thrillers.

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix is an American actor, producer, and animal rights activist. He established himself as one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation. The actor is known for his dedication to his roles; he often undergoes physical and emotional changes. His most famous films include Gladiator (2000), Her (2013), Joker (2019) and Napoleon (2023). The Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix is also of Hungarian origin. His mother, Arlyn Phoenix, is of Hungarian descent and his grandparents were Hungarian-Russian Jews. His grandmother’s name is very revealing, her name was Margaret Lefkowitz.

Goldie Hawn

Goldie Hawn is an American actress, producer, and singer who rose to fame in the late 1960s. While most people are familiar with the talented actress, not many know that she is also a descendant of Hungarians. Her mother, Laura Steinhoff, was born in Hungary. The family moved to the USA before World War II. Goldie Hawn was born in Washington, D.C. in 1945. Only a few people know that Goldie was initially named Aranka. As we have reported HERE, it was later changed to Goldie, which sounds less odd in the USA. It is also the mirror translation of Aranyka, her mother’s jewellery shop in Hungary. In 2012, Goldie visited Hungary with her sister to discover their roots.

Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons is best known as the co-founder, bass guitarist, and co-lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. It may come as a surprise that he is also a descendant of Hungarian parents. His mother, Flóra Kovács, was born in Hungary and his father, Ferenc Witz, is also Hungarian. According to certain sources, Gene is an excellent speaker of the Hungarian language.

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February 27, 2024

PHOTOS: Drew Barrymore’s Hungarian mother was ‘worst parent ever’

Drew Barrymore’s Hungarian mother, born Ildikó Makó in West Germany after WWII, married John Drew Barrymore in 1971. However, neither of them knew how to raise a child. The father walked out on the family early on, while Drew found herself exposed to adult environments from a young age, accompanying her mother to parties, leading to her smoking at the age of 9 and falling into drug addiction by 11.

According to femina.hu, Drew Barrymore‘s mother Ildikó Makó was born in a camp for Hungarian refugees post-WWII before relocating to the USA with aspirations of becoming an actress, hence adopting the name Jaid.

In 1971, she tied the knot with John Drew Barrymore, only to part ways when Drew was just 9 years old. John, a violent alcoholic hailing from Hollywood’s esteemed Barrymore and Costello lineage, abandoned Drew and her mother, neglecting his responsibilities as a parent.

Jaid Barrymore, Drew’s mother. Photo: Creative Commons

Drew’s mother’s inability to lead a conventional life nearly led to catastrophe, with Drew finding solace in the spotlight at the age of 6 with her role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. By 9, smoking and alcohol were already a part of her life, and so were late-night parties, guided by her irresponsible mother.

Drew Barrymore in E.T. — Photo: FB/Drew Barrymore

According to Szeretlek Magyarország, Drew was exposed to Studio 54 at a young age, introduced to drugs, and encouraged to mingle with famous young men, earning her the label of a “party girl” by the age of 8. At 12, she received clinical treatment, escalating to intensive hospital therapy by her 13th birthday to combat her substance abuse.

Drew Barrymore was a drug addict as a little girl

At one point, it even crossed the actress’ mind that she may not make it to her 25th birthday. Admitting to hitting rock bottom at the age of 13, Drew recalled her journey to journalists, attributing her premature upbringing to her mother’s irresponsibility. Despite the challenges, Drew’s life took a positive turn at 14. Despite facing ostracisation in Hollywood and being relegated to household chores, she managed to revive her career, starring in Poison Ivy in 1992 and gracing the pages of Playboy at 19. Afterwards, her godfather, Steven Spielberg, sent her a pillow with a note: “Cover yourself with it”.

With three marriages under her belt, including one that lasted a mere 19 days, Drew’s tumultuous childhood experiences are unsurprising. Now a mother of two daughters, Olive and Frankie, aged 11 and 9 respectively, Drew launched “The Drew Barrymore Show” in 2020. Here it is:

Drew prioritises her role as a parent over professional commitments, determined not to replicate her parents’ mistakes. She champions stability and prioritises her children above all, considering motherhood the most rewarding job in the world.

Read also:

World famous Hungarians – 5 celebrities with Hungarian origins – Check them out in THIS article
3 Hungarian actors who made it to the Hollywood Walk of Fame

February 24, 2024

Russell Crowe is in Budapest! – Here is where you can meet him

The world-famous Academy Award-winning Hollywood superstar, known for his roles in iconic films such as “Gladiator,” “A Beautiful Mind” and “State of Play,” Russell Crowe (59), is visiting the magnificent capital of Hungary, Budapest. Hungarian media have been abuzz with the places where one might chance upon seeing him.

As reported by Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid known for its insider insights into the activities of celebrities in Budapest, Russell Crowe has already arrived in Budapest.

Previously, we reported that the Hollywood star, along with Rami Malek, would be filming in Budapest alongside Michael Shannon. Their latest movie revolves around the Nuremberg trials, with James Vanderbilt directing.

In this production, Crowe plays Hermann Göring, Hitler’s right-hand man and the most prominent defendant of the Nuremberg trials. While the film’s portrayal of him remains undisclosed, history tells us that Göring committed suicide preceding his execution.

According to the Budapest Reporter, the production will explore a new aspect of the Nuremberg trial, remaining faithful to the events as documented in Kelley’s papers and medical notes.

Russell Crowe in the Benczúr House

As per Blikk, the filming crew has cordoned off Benczúr Street, stretching from Bajza to Munkácsy streets in Budapest’s Terézváros (6th district), for shooting downtown. The Academy Award-winning actors are filming at the Benczúr House, where the history flick’s most intense scenes will unfold.

The narrative centres on an American psychiatrist studying the minds of the defendants during the trials. Rami Malek portrays him (Douglas Kelly), who, after conducting lengthy conversations with Göring in 1956, took his own life. These pivotal conversations, central to the film, are being filmed at the Benczúr House in Budapest.

Access to the building is restricted, with a Hungarian set decorator company meticulously recreating the 1940s ambiance. The palace’s offices feature prominently in the film, serving as the backdrop for many crucial exchanges, a Blikk informant revealed.

Russell Crowe, counted among Hollywood’s “problematic” stars, is anticipated to navigate Budapest and its Hungarian workforce without incident. According to Blikk, the actor resides in a luxurious estate in the 16th district, where Johnny Depp stayed during the filming of Modi in Budapest in 2023, his multi-storey villa exudes Hollywood opulence, capable of hosting large gatherings. Recently, Hungarian fans caught glimpses of Crowe and Rami Malek at the Gresham Palace in Budapest’s 5th district.

Russell Crowe’s Budapest tennis ventures

According to Hungarian actress Éva Bátyai, Crowe not only works but also takes time off to enjoy the entertainment and sporting offerings of the Hungarian capital, every now and then.

Mrs Bátyai’s husband, a tennis coach, bumped into the Hollywood star on a tennis court. “They didn’t even recognise him at first. As they were leaving, the Hollywood star stopped them to ask for help with a net glitch. It was then that it struck them who he actually was,” added the actress. While she didn’t reveal the exact location, she mentioned that the tennis court lies “somewhere in Budapest’s Wekerle-telep,” in the 19th district.

As reported by Blikk, Crowe has been spotted in Zugló (14th district) and various other tennis clubs in Buda. Reportedly, he goes to different clubs on each visit in order to avoid being swamped by fans wherever he shows up. That’s what also prompted the closure of Benczúr Street to maintain privacy during filming. The heightened security and occasional sightings of people in Nazi attire lend an air of intrigue to the area.

Crowe also went out of his way to truthfully portray Göring, he has shed his beard, which he was sporting for five long years.

Read also:

Famous Hollywood movies shot in Hungary – Read more HERE
Hungarian set decorator of Poor Things may win the Oscar! – Details in THIS article

February 24, 2024

Russell Crowe and Rami Malek to film in Hungary!

Starring Russell Crowe, Rami Malek and Michael Shannon, the film about the Nuremberg trial will start shooting in Hungary in March. The project is directed by James Vanderbilt.

Russell Crowe, Rami Malek and Michael Shannon will star in the film about the Nuremberg trial, which will start shooting in Hungary in March, according to Film New Europe.

Russell Crowe plays Hermann Göring, while Rami Malek plays Douglas M. Kelley, a US Army psychiatrist whose job is to make sure that prisoners, including Göring, are fit to stand trial for war crimes at Nuremberg, Telex reports.

According to the Budapest Reporter, the production will explore a new aspect of the Nuremberg trial, and will faithfully depict the events based on Kelley’s papers and medical notes.

It is not yet known which Hungarian company has been selected for the job, Telex writes.

Read also:

February 14, 2024

Hollywood star thinks Hungarian weddings are much better than American ones

Hollywood star Dylan Sprouse wedding Barbara Palvin

Hollywood star Dylan Sprouse, well-known for his role in Disney’s The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and its spin-off, The Suite Life on Deck series and Big Daddy with Adam Sandler, married Hungarian supermodel Barbara Palvin last year. Now he talked about Hungarian weddings and compared them to American ones.

According to Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, Barbara and Dylan said their vows at a traditional Hungarian wedding at the estate of the Palvin family not far from Budapest. Barbara shared details about their big day, but her husband remained silent until now. Dylan was a guest of Whoopi Goldberg’s The View show and said some interesting things about Hungarian weddings.

The Hollywood star was invited to talk about his new movie, Beautiful Wedding (2024), in which he portrays Travis, a 19-year-old who discovers after a crazy night in Las Vegas that he married Abby (Virginia Gardner). The film is the sequel to Beautiful Disaster (2023) and follows the couple to Mexico, where they will spend their honeymoon. Here is the trailer:

Since the new film is connected to a wedding, the hosts asked Dylan how he felt during his traditional Hungarian wedding on his father-in-law’s estate.

Dylan had to ‘win back’ her wife on the wedding

Dylan said that weddings in Hungary were completely different from what they were used to in the US. Hungarian “weddings are based on games and activities”, he said. “At some point, traditionally, the bride gets kidnapped by the groomsmen. And I have to win her back by completing a set of challenges”, he said.

All five hosts liked that idea. But what they liked the most was how Dylan had to win back Barbara.

He sat on a chair, and the bride and all her bridesmaids lined up behind him, so he could not see them. In front of him stood the groomsmen. The girls had to dance, which the boys tried to replicate, and Dylan had to figure out which one of them did his wife’s moves.

When Whoopi Goldberg asked him whether he had ever been to Buda or Pest, Dylan said he visited them both. And he pronounced Pest with a [ʃ] sound, like in shush. That is how Hungarians pronounce it, so congratulations, Dylan!

Below, you can watch the full ‘The View’ show with Dylan Sprouse:

Here is a video of their wedding:

Read also:

Hungarian supermodel Barbara Palvin started a series with American TV star Dylan Sprouse – Read more and check out their first video HERE
EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS of supermodel Barbara Palvin’s wedding with Dylan Sprouse in Hungary in THIS article

February 9, 2024

Beautiful, world-famous series actress is in Budapest – PHOTOS, VIDEO

The beautiful and world-famous Turkish series actress, Hande Erçel, arrived in Budapest. She posted several photos on her Instagram page, having almost 32 million followers, but Hungarian media could not discover yet why she is or was in Hungary.

According to Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, Hande is very popular. She is known for her leading role in a Turkish romantic series, Sen Çal Kapimi (Love is in the air), in which she plays Eda Yildiz, the main protagonist.

Her character misses an Italian scholarship because of a successful architect, an idol of all women, Serkan Bolat (Kerem Bürsin) and wants to take revenge. Of course, love evolves from that ‘serious’ conflict. In Hungary, the 155th episode will be screened on RTL Klub, the country’s most popular commercial TV channel, on Monday. On port.hu, a Hungarian movie rating website, its rank is 9.2 out of the available maximum 10. The series is very popular, probably that is why Hande chose to travel to Budapest.

Read also:

More Wizz Air flights to Türkiye, major refurbishment works at Budapest Airport – Read more HERE
PM Viktor Orbán presents Erdogan with a horse – Details and VIDEO in THIS article
Turkish combat vehicle will be manufactured in Hungary

In Budapest, she posted several photos on her Instagram, but, unfortunately, they were only visible for 24 hours. In THIS article, you may check out the first one (embedded by Ripost) taken on Budapest’s famous Szabadság (Freedom) Bridge.

In the video below, there are two other photos. One of them was taken in front of Budapest’s iconic Matild Palace on Ferenciek tere, in the city’s downtown, close to the Gellért Hill and the Elizabeth Bridge. Maybe she stayed in the hotel while being in Budapest. In the second photo, she is in a restaurant. We wrote more about the Matild Palace in THIS article.

Here are some more photos of Hande:

A bejegyzés megtekintése az Instagramon

Hande Erçel (@handemiyy) által megosztott bejegyzés

February 2, 2024

PHOTO: Oscar-winning British actor visits Budapest

Budapest is a place many celebrities love to visit – and revisit. Whether it’s for a shoot, a business trip, or a personal vacation, world-known stars frequent the Hungarian capital. Just like on 29 January, when the Oscar-winning British actor Eddie Redmayne popped up in a café.

Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne stopped by for coffee today.

– Madal Cafe wrote on its Facebook page, sharing a photo with the 42-year-old actor.

British actor Eddie Redmayne is back in Budapest after appearing at a student protest last year, which we reported HERE. (According to Blikk’s article at that time, the actor was presumably unaware that he was taking part in a protest – he even posed for selfies with people during the demonstration.)

The Oscar-winning artist has previously starred in films such as The Pillars of the Earth, The Theory of Everything and Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them. This time, the Hollywood star turned up at a café in Budapest, where he was happy to pose for photos with fans and staff, Index writes.

Read also:

Hollywood celebrities visit Budapest

Apart from Redmayne, several world-famous celebrities are planning to visit the Hungarian capital this year. For example, Eric Roberts, brother of Julia Roberts, and Graham McTavish are to show up at this May’s Comic Con in Budapest. Roberts is the star of Batman – The Dark Knight, while McTavish is featured in fantasy films and series like The Hobbit film trilogy. Read more HERE.

Not too long ago, Mark Ruffalo and Emma Stone were in Budapest, praising the Hungarian McDonald’s. In a joint interview with LadBible, the duo shared that what they liked to eat the most in the city was McDonald’s French fries. According to the two stars, when abroad, eating McDonald’s is a must-do. Ruffalo said they ate fast food every other day when they were in Hungary, and he even got Emma McDonald’s food. Emma said she loved to try the popular burger place everywhere she went.

A bit prior to Ruffalo and Stone’s interview, at the beginning of December last year, Angelina Jolie was spotted in a Budapest restaurant having lunch with ther son. Jolie had been in Budapest for months before that, shooting a film about the life of renowned opera singer Maria Callas. In December, the actress and her son enjoyed a hearty lunch at a Vietnamese soup kitchen called Dang Muoi on Attila Road in Budapest.

Superstars to perfom in Hungary

The live music scene in Hungary promises to be huge this year: HERE is a list of artists you will be able to see live this year in the country!

January 31, 2024

Hungarian beauty says her daughter’s father is Brazilian football star Neymar – PHOTOS

The famous Brazilian football guru, Neymar, already has two children from two women. Here is the third, a Hungarian ex-model, who claims they have a 10-year-old daughter and demands a DNA test.

According to 777score.com, Gabriella Gáspár, a Hungarian ex-model, would like Neymar to recognise her 10-year-old daughter as their child and demands retroactive alimony from the Brazilian football star.

The girl’s name is Jázmin Zoé and Ms Gáspár claims they had a relationship with Neymar in 2013, so the girl is his. They met after a friendly match in Bolivia but spent together only one day because, on the next day, she had to travel back to Budapest.

“SBT Sports contacted Gabriella’s lawyer, Angelo Carbone, who confirmed his client’s request for a DNA test to confirm paternity”, 777score.com wrote.

The alimony she demands is quite a sum: 30 thousand euros per month and retroactive alimony for the last ten years. That is 3.6 million euros. She said she tried to get in touch with Neymar and his family in the last few years but did not succeed. ‘I’m not asking for much,’ she says. ‘I just wanted Neymar to get in touch with us.’

Read also:

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Gabriella and the Brazilian football legend:

The girl resembles Neymar

Neymar has two kids. Davi Lucca is from his relationship with Carol Dantas, and Mavie, with Bruna Biancardi. Neymar’s press office did not comment on the Hungarian ex-model’s story.

The Hungarian woman talked to azscore.com about Neymar’s daughter. She said Jázmin Zoé loved soccer and would like to play like her father one day.

The online media outlet wrote Gabriella works as a stocker in Budapest and worries it will be hard to speak with anybody from Brazil because of the time difference. Gabriella still knows a bit of Portuguese, but she often says ‘ele’ (he) instead of ‘ela’ (she) when referring to Jázmin.

Family photo?

Gabriella says her daughter looks like Rafaella Santos and Nadine Gonçalves, the Brazilian striker’s sister and mother. “Her nature and personality are 100% Neymar’s. My daughter loves football and wants to be a football player like her father”, she added. About her daughter’s feelings towards her father, Gabriella said she regularly watched him on TV and “is eager to finally see him and hug him”.

“I think she looks a lot like Neymar. Many people say that she is the spitting image of Rafaella and very similar to Nadine. Her nature and personality are 100% her father’s”, Gabriella highlighted.

January 31, 2024

Hungarian Hide The Pain Harold shares secret of his long marriage in TV show

The former Hungarian electrical engineer, András Arató, known to the world as Hide The Pain Harold, shared the secret of his 52-year-long marriage.

András Arató was a guest on a popular Hungarian TV show Szerencsekerék (“Wheel of Fortune”).

Hide The Pain Harold is one of the most well-known Hungarians in the world because of the many memes that use his face. The 78-year-old former electrical engineer has been living in a happy marriage for 52 years. He talked about that in a Hungarian TV show since the anchorman, Tibi Kasza, spotted when he talked with his wife via phone, Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, wrote.

He asked what their secret behind the long marriage was. Mr Arató replied, laughing, the main rule was that his wife was always right.

The famous Hungarian man won HUF 2,750,000 (EUR 7,088) and an electric fireplace, so he was probably not in pain at all at the end of the show.

According to Ripost, Arató said he would spend some of the money on charity. For example, he will support the Budapest Association of Persons with Disabilities.

Hide the Pain Harold is one of the most famous Hungarians

But how did Mr Arató become a world-known meme? The story started in 2010 when an American stock photographer asked him for some photos due to his “painful smile”. He aimed to extend his stock collection. A Nashville (Tenessee) teenager found the photos and made some memes using one of the photos, which became viral on the internet and made Mr Arató one of the world’s best-known guys.

Interestingly, he stayed incognito until 2016. Since then, he has been travelling all around the world meeting and inspiring people. Moreover, he even got a role in a Coca-Cola ad, Magyar Nemzet wrote. Here is the video:

We wrote about how he paralysed traffic in Canada in THIS article.

Read also:

Hide the Pain Harold András Arató stars in video clip of world-famous band – VIDEO and details in THIS article

Last November, he was in Hongkong:

In Brussels:

Now it is your turn. Guess where Hide the Pain Harold is in this photo and let us know in a comment:

+1 Bonus: As a young man:

January 28, 2024

World-known Hungarian actress Zsa Zsa Gabor receives life-size statue in Budapest

Renowned Hungarian actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor, who died aged 99 in 2016, is to receive a life-size statue in Buda. She had a remarkable career in the United States, winning a Golden Globe Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Here is where and when the statue will be inaugurated.

Very soon, a life-size statue will commemorate Zsa Zsa Gabor. The announcement was made at a press conference following the completion of the statue of the Hungarian-born film diva, which will be erected in Mechwart Square in District II. The statue will be unveiled in a Budapest gallery on Zsa Zsa Gabor’s birthday on 6 February, Blikk reports.

The press event was attended by the diva’s ninth and last husband, Prince Frederic von Anhalt.

Read also:

Widower of Hungarian socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor brutally assaulted and robbed in Budapest

The life-size statue is known to be the work of János Babusa. It will be located in District II of Budapest, at the corner of Keleti Károly Street and Margaret Boulevard.

“I’m a bit embarrassed, I’ve never done what I’m doing today. I’m grateful to everyone who has helped to create this sculpture, to make this project happen. Let’s not forget Hungary itself, which has always stood behind Zsa Zsa Gabor. I have been here many times over the years. Many people have contacted me saying they have seen Zsa Zsa’s films and remember her,” Frédéric von Anhalt said, according to Bors.

Read also:

The celebrated Hungarian actress, Zsa Zsa Gábor, and the secret for men’s heart

“Many people have asked before why there is not a Zsa Zsa Gabor Museum or a statue? I thought about it a lot, and I thought that if we could come up with a common idea, I would work on it. After all, I oversee the Zsa Zsa Gabor Foundation in America, where all the money goes, and I thought: why not use it for this noble cause?” Frédéric von Anhalt added.

The Hungarian-born actress died in 2016 in Los Angeles, due to sudden cardiac arrest. Her husband wanted to bury her in Hungary, but she was finally laid to rest in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. Some of her ashes were laid to rest in 2021 in Budapest, in the artists’ plot of the Fiumei Road Graveyard. The star died at the age of 99.

You can watch a video of the press conference HERE and some photos HERE.

January 25, 2024

Impressive VIDEOS: Justin Bieber is a Rubik’s Cube guru!

Who would have thought that the Canadian celebrity, singer and pop icon, Justin Bieber, is a Rubik’s Cube guru? Here are some fun videos showing how quickly he tackles an original Hungarian Rubik’s Cube.

The Rubik’s Facebook page boasts over 563 thousand likes and almost 600 thousand followers, affirming that the original Hungarian 3D puzzle invented by Ernő Rubik in 1977 remains one of the globe’s most beloved toys.

Surprisingly, even Justin Bieber is an avid fan and adept solver. As revealed in a video posted a couple of years back, he’s quite the Rubik’s Cube maestro. Here’s the footage:

Or, at least he was, considering the original carpool video shot in Los Angeles is now eight years old:

The iconic Hungarian Rubik’s Cube has ignited inspiration worldwide. Take Giovanni Contardi, a 24-year-old visual artist and trailblazer in the global Rubik’s Cube art movement, whom we featured HERE. His creations draw inspiration from pop culture icons, street art and music, crafted to be shared, sparking conversations and motivating others to push the boundaries of personal creativity and expression.

Meanwhile, in THIS piece, we wrote about Lago Mendoza, who has gained thousands of followers on social media sites. There, he shares his latest acquisitions and the swiftest methods to conquer them, showcasing his prowess in cube-solving.

VIDEO: Iconic Star Wars actor speaks Hungarian

From time to time, celebrities attempt to say a few words in Hungarian, the language that is (in)famous for being extremely difficult. Star Wars’ Obi-Wan Kenobi is quite legendary for a set of reasons. Did you know that he once spoke Hungarian as well? He did a pretty good job, we must add. What do you think?

The Star Wars legend

Ewan McGregor, a renowned Scottish actor, has attained global fame for his multifaceted acting career, most notably for his portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequels, which garnered widespread acclaim. McGregor’s versatility as an actor was showcased through his exceptional depiction of the Jedi Knight. Beyond Star Wars, his diverse filmography includes iconic performances in Trainspotting, Moulin Rouge! and The Impossible. With a compelling on-screen presence, McGregor continues to captivate audiences, leaving an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape. Ewan McGregor brought his iconic role as Obi-Wan Kenobi back to life in his recent series, a move that sparked mixed reactions among fans. Despite the divided reactions, it was unanimously agreed that McGregor continues to perfectly embody the character.

Multilingual commercial

As Promotions has noted, in a surprising twist from his usual Hollywood spotlight, Ewan McGregor took on a lesser-known role a decade ago, featuring in a commercial that stretched across various languages, including our beloved Hungarian. Now, you may be wondering, what was the commercial all about? A decade ago, ING made waves with its announcement to float its European insurance and asset management business on the stock exchange through an open share issue. ING wrote in an announcement:

In this context, ING Insurance announced today its plans to rebrand in the future as ‘NN’, a new identity that balances the heritage and Dutch roots with the requirements of an international and future-proof brand.

This strategic move aimed at securing an independent future also involved a significant rebranding, with the insurance company opting to change its name to NN. To effectively communicate this transformation to a diverse audience across different nations, ING needed two key elements: a compelling commercial and a catchy name.

Read also:

Speaking Hungarian

The famous actor conveyed a straightforward message in multiple languages. In the video that featured Czech, Slovak, Bulgarian, Romanian, Greek and notably Hungarian, McGregor explained the shift from ING to NN in a very simple way. He says:

Or as we say in Hungarian… ING becomes NN

While this short sentence may sound as easy as pie, just think about the challenge of saying it in six languages. We can all agree that learning any of these languages can be a hard nut to crack. Even if it is just one sentence, you have to repeat it over and over again to master it. It would be interesting to know how many retakes it took for McGregor to say that sentence in each language. Although, it is quite likely that we will never know the answer to that. We have to give it to him, he gets an A for effort for sure! Wonder if he did a great job with the pronunciation? See the video for yourself and decide!

January 22, 2024

Mark Ruffalo, Emma Stone: “McDonald’s in Hungary is so good!”

Poor Things’, a 2023 science fantasy black comedy film starring Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo, principal photography took place in Hungary. Therefore, they spent much time in Hungary, especially in Budapest. Mark Ruffalo (Hulk, Zodiac, Shutter Island, The Avengers, Begin Again, Spotlight) and Emma Stone (Zombieland, Crazy, Stupid, Love, Birdman, Amazing Spider-Man, Cruella) gave a joint interview for LadBible and shared their opinion about Hungarian McDonald’s.

According to hvg.hu, Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo liked to eat most in Hungary the French fries of McDonald’s. At least that is what they said in a joint interview following their Golden Globe for the Poor Things shot in Budapest.

The two Hollywood stars gave a joint interview for LadBible in which they had to express their view about different arguments the narrator said. One was that “Eating McDonald’s abroad is a must-do”.

They both strongly agreed with that statement. Ruffalo said they ate McDonald’s every other day, when they were in Hungary, and he even got Emma McDonald’s food. Emma said she loved to try McDonald’s everywhere she went.

“McDonald’s in Hungary is so good”, Mark said nostalgic. He said Hungarians killed the animal within a 10-mile radius, so the food is super fresh. Of course, he did not share where he got that information.

McDonald’s meets Hollywood

McDonald’s for Emma Stone means meat, bun, fried, Dr Pepper or a Coke, depending on the day and a McFlurry.

Mark Ruffalo likes cheeseburgers, but without onions, since that ingredient gives him gas. Thus, he eats onion only if he is alone.

Mark Ruffalo regularly visits Hungary. Furthermore, he even helped the anti-Orbán coalition in the 2022 parliamentary elections with a Twitter video. He encouraged people to go to vote and vote out Orbán from power. In April 2022, Orbán’s Fidesz won a fourth consecutive supermajority.

Here is the video:

Read also:

Hollywood blockbuster: Emma Stone hits Mark Ruffalo in Hungary! – Read more HERE
Jane Fonda speaks Hungarian in this Netflix series – Details and video in THIS article

January 14, 2024

VIDEO: Jane Fonda speaks Hungarian in this Netflix series

Have you ever heard the two-time Academy Award-winner Jane Fonda speak Hungarian? Here is your chance.

Jane Fonda, the American film icon who won two Academy Awards, seven Golden Globes and several other prestigious awards, spoke Hungarian in a Netflix series. The Hollywood star plays the leading role in the streamer’s Grace and Frankie series with Lily Tomlin. The series is about two ageing women who form an unlikely friendship after their husbands reveal they are in love with each other and plan to get married. The series premiered on Netflix on May 8, 2015, and has seven seasons.

Promotions.hu found the episode titled “The Paprikash” (7th season), in which Jane Fonda speaks Hungarian. Of course, Hungarian viewers already knew what the episode was about: the chicken paprikash, a traditional Hungarian dish.

Chicken paprikash (paprikás csirke or csirkepaprikás in Hungarian) is one of the most popular Hungarian dishes because it has everything that characterises our cuisine: paprika, pepper, onion, garlic, green pepper, tomato, meat and sour cream.

It’s a must-try meal, and you can prepare it following the instructions of THIS article of ours.

Jane Fonda wants to eat a chicken paprikash in the episode, her mother’s paprikash to comfort her. Her pronunciation is not the best since she says something like “paprigázs” instead of paprikash, but we know what she is trying to refer to.

Heroin is best in Hungary?

A friend of hers says in the episode that she had spent some time in Hungary, so the series creators knew paprikash was a typical Hungarian food. Interestingly, she adds that heroin was “incredible” there. Several heroin smugglers were caught in Hungary, for example HERE and HERE.

According to an IMF report, in Hungary, about one-third of the drug addicts and regular consumers take pills (LSD, SPEED, Ecstasy, Amphetamine), 19% take Marijuana, and 14% take Heroin.

Here is the video:

@ldvgnnmr Hungary everywhere #magyar #sorozatokfilmek #netflixseries #hungarianlanguage ♬ eredeti hang – annamari ludvig

Grace and Frankie received mixed reviews upon its debut, but its second and subsequent seasons have been met with a largely positive reception from television critics. It has received several accolades, including five Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy.

Read also:

Famous Hollywood movies shot in Hungary – Read more HERE
Several Hollywood stars to come to Budapest – Details in THIS article

January 13, 2024

Several Hollywood stars to come to Budapest

Two Hollywood celebrities will come to Budapest for this year’s Comic Con. Eric Roberts, Julia Roberts’ brother, is the star of the Batman – The Dark Knight, while Graham McTavish is a star of fantasy movies and series.

According to Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, Eric Roberts and Graham McTavish will come to this May’s Comic Con in Budapest, the organisers of the event announced on Facebook.

Eric Roberts was the ‘bad guy’ in the 1990s and 2000s. He is the brother of Julia Roberts and played in movies and series like The Specialist and Batman – The Dark Knight or The Expandables. Meanwhile, Graham McTavish was in The Hobbit, Aquaman, Rambo, Creed, The Witcher, Outlander and 2023’s favourite, House of Dragons.

Here is the post of the organisers:

January 12, 2024