Hollywood Headlines: Dyan Cannon’s White House Mix-Up and Julia Roberts’ Defense of Controversial New Film
In the latest buzz from the entertainment world, two iconic actresses are making waves for very different reasons. Dyan Cannon, the 88-year-old Oscar-nominated star, found herself hilariously denied entry to the White House due to a decades-old fib on her passport, while Julia Roberts passionately defended her new psychological thriller After the Hunt against backlash over its #MeToo themes at the Venice Film Festival. These stories highlight the lighter and more contentious sides of celebrity life, drawing attention to ageism in Hollywood and the ongoing cultural debates around sexual misconduct allegations.
Dyan Cannon’s Passport Prank Backfires at the White House
Dyan Cannon, best known for her roles in classics like Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969) and Heaven Can Wait (1978), was left in stitches outside the White House gates after Secret Service agents flagged a discrepancy on her passport. The incident unfolded on August 28, 2025, during a promotional trip to Washington, D.C., for Cannon’s new podcast, God’s Table Hollywood. Accompanied by co-hosts Kym Douglas, Tracey Bregman, and chef Christine Avanti-Fischer, the group had lined up for a tour when security checks revealed Cannon had lied about her age on official documents years ago.
In a video shared on social media by Douglas and reposted by Cannon, the actress can be seen laughing uncontrollably as her friends tease her. “We are lined up for a great tour, and we have these Secret Service guys and all of the federal agents. We can’t get in because someone lied about their age,” Douglas explained, pointing at Cannon. Cannon, doubling over in giggles, admitted, “Years ago, here’s the thing—I lied about my age on my passport.” She later captioned the clip: “And I’d do it again… It’s nobody’s business what the number is they’ve pinned on me… right, girls? Right guys? It’s just a blinkin’ number… no matter what number they put next to me, there’s one thing that never changes… I WUV WU!!!”
Cannon, who has long resisted Hollywood’s fixation on age, turned the mishap into a lighthearted statement on privacy and empowerment. Fans flooded the comments with support, praising her youthful energy and spirit. One wrote, “Dyan has laughed her whole life—that’s why she’s so energetic and enthusiastic and positive!!!” Another added, “You go, Dyan! You’re right: it’s no one’s business!” The episode underscores the strict identity verification protocols for White House visits, enforced by the Secret Service to ensure security.
Cannon’s storied career includes three Oscar nominations, making her the first woman nominated in both acting and producing categories for her 1976 short film Number One. Her personal life has been equally headline-worthy: she was married to Cary Grant from 1965 to 1968, with whom she shares daughter Jennifer, and later to businessman Stanley Fimberg until 1991. In a recent interview, the vibrant nonagenarian revealed she’s still dating, joking about having “friends with benefits.” Despite the denied tour, Cannon and her podcast crew turned the moment into viral gold, promoting their show while celebrating her unapologetic attitude.
Julia Roberts Slams Critics Over After the Hunt Backlash at Venice
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, Julia Roberts found herself in the hot seat defending her latest project, After the Hunt, a psychological thriller directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name, Challengers). The film, which premiered out of competition on August 29, 2025, has ignited controversy for its exploration of sexual assault allegations in an academic setting, with some critics accusing it of undermining #MeToo principles by “reviving old arguments” about believing women.
Roberts stars as Alma Imhoff, a charismatic Yale philosophy professor caught in a moral dilemma when her star student, Maggie Resnick (Ayo Edebiri), accuses her close colleague and friend, Hank Gibson (Andrew Garfield), of misconduct. As Alma navigates loyalty, career ambitions, and her own buried secrets, the story delves into themes of cancel culture, feminism, and the clash of personal truths. The ensemble also features Michael Stuhlbarg as Alma’s husband and Chloë Sevigny in a supporting role.
During a tense press conference, Roberts pushed back against suggestions that the film pits women against each other or dismisses accusers. “Not to be disagreeable, because it’s not in my nature,” she began with a smile, “but the thing you said that I love is it ‘revives old arguments.’ I don’t think it’s just reviving an argument of women being pitted against each other… There are a lot of old arguments that get rejuvenated that creates conversation.” When pressed further, she lamented society’s “losing the art of conversation in humanity right now,” emphasizing that the movie portrays complex characters in a specific moment rather than making overt statements. “We’re not making statements; we are portraying these people in this moment in time… If making this movie does anything, getting everybody to talk to each other is the most exciting thing that I think we could accomplish.” She quipped, “I love the softball questions early in the morning,” drawing laughs from the room.
Guadagnino echoed her sentiments, describing the film as an exploration of “clash of truths” rather than a manifesto, and noting influences from Woody Allen’s oeuvre for its intellectual depth. Edebiri added that the role allowed her to grow through challenging material, calling it “the type of movie I enjoy watching.” Despite the debate, Roberts wiped away tears during a six-minute standing ovation at the premiere, blowing kisses to the crowd.
Early reviews are mixed, with a Rotten Tomatoes score hovering around 60% as of September 3, 2025. Critics praise Roberts’ commanding performance—”monumental” and potentially Oscar-worthy—but fault the script for being “muddled” and “too smart for its own good,” with some calling it a “#MeToo misfire.” Others, like The Times’ Kevin Maher, predict it could earn Roberts her fifth nomination and second win. Amazon MGM Studios plans a theatrical release on October 17, 2025, where audiences can weigh in on the film’s provocative themes.
These stories remind us of Hollywood’s enduring fascination with personal revelations and cultural reckonings. Cannon’s playful defiance celebrates aging gracefully (or not disclosing it), while Roberts’ bold stance on After the Hunt underscores the power of art to provoke dialogue in a divided world. As both stars continue to captivate, fans eagerly await their next moves.
Sources: Newsweek, Fox News, The Daily Beast, Parade, Variety, USA Today, The Guardian, Deadline