The Culture

Third Suspect Arrested in Taylor Swift Terror Plot

We're unpacking this insane Taylor Swift terror plot. Also, who will perform at the Olympics closing ceremony? Let's get into it...

It's the end of another wild week, and well, everyone is still talking about this wild presidential election. (I mean, that Trump press conference, am I right?) Which is why I'm talking all about it and the rest of the major news of the week on the latest episode of Parting Shot podcast. Go have a listen!

But even though the Olympics and politics seem to be getting all the attention these days, there's still stuff poppin' in the world of pop culture. The biggest of which being this thwarted terror plot at the Taylor Swift concert in Austria. This one is wild!

On Wednesday, authorities in Austria canceled Swift's planned concerts in Vienna because of a potential terrorist threat. (Canceling a Taylor Swift concert is a tall order, especially considering the amount of people who are traveling the world following her Eras tour, not to mention the nearly 100,000 people who were scheduled to attend each night of the concert, both in the stadium and outside of it.) After the three shows were canceled, authorities arrested three suspects. The Associated Press reported the suspects range in age from 17 to 19 and were influenced by the Islamic State group (ISIS) and Al-Qaida.

Swift's tour will carry on with previously scheduled dates, the next being a set of shows in London. Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, told Sky News that he understands why authorities canceled the Vienna shows, and that London is prepared. He also referenced the 2017 bombing at an Ariana Grande concert where 22 people were killed in Manchester, U.K., saying "many lessons were learned after the awful Manchester Arena attack."

Here's what else is going on in the world of pop culture...

• The Olympics closing ceremony is Sunday, and the rumored lineup of talent is lit. We're talking Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg and Red Hot Chili Peppers. But they won't be performing in Paris. As a nod to the host city of the next summer Olympics in 2028, they'll be performing in Los Angeles. Oh, and Tom Cruise is set to make an appearance too. Yes, I will be watching, thank you very much. The closing ceremony will start at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday. An enhanced encore will air at 7 p.m. ET/PT. You can catch it on NBC and Peacock.

• Have you heard the rumors about the new Blake Lively film It Ends With Us? Social media keeps wondering... why isn't any of the film's talent doing press with the director/star of the film, Justin Baldoni? Go on and try to find any of them in the same picture or video in recent weeks, you won't find anything. Keep watching this space for that story, because people are up in my DMs about it.

• Gabriel Olds, an actor best known for his work on Six Feet Under and The Eyes of Tammy Faye, was arrested in Los Angeles for allegedly sexually assaulting three women. In a statement to People magazine, the Los Angeles Police Department said, "Each victim reported that Olds lured them into a false sense of security during their initial encounters, then turned violent without seeking their consent."

That's it for me today! I'll see you on Monday. Keep scrolling for more entertainment news.