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French split over Brigitte Bardot tribute due to her far right views

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French split over Brigitte Bardot tribute due to her far right views


Paris —  French politicians were divided on Monday over how to pay tribute to the late Brigitte Bardot who, despite her screen legend, courted controversy — and convictions — in later life with her far-right views.

The film star died on Sunday at the age of 91 at home in the south of France. Media around the globe splashed iconic images of her and tributes following the announcement.

Bardot shot to fame in the 1956 film “And God Created Woman” and went on to appear in about 50 films, but turned her back on cinema in 1973 to throw herself into fighting for animal rights.

But her links to the far-right stirred controversy.

Bardot was convicted five times for hate speech, mostly about Muslims but also about the inhabitants of the French island of Reunion, whom she described as “savages.”

She died before dawn on Sunday morning with her fourth husband, Bernard d’Ormale, a former adviser to the far right, by her side.

“She whispered a word of love to him … and she was gone,” Bruno Jacquelin, a representative of her foundation for animals, told BFM television.

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed her as a “legend” of 20th century cinema who “embodied a life of freedom.”

Photographs, plush toys and flowers displayed on barriers at the entrance of “La Madrague” house, property of late Brigitte Bardot in Saint-Tropez, southeastern France on Dec. 29, 2025. The French film legend died at the age of 91 the day before.

MIGUEL MEDINA /AFP via Getty Images


Right-wing politicians laud Bardot

Far-right figures were among the first to mourn her.

Marine le Pen, whose National Rally party is riding high in polls, called her “incredibly French: free, untameable, whole.”

Bardot backed Le Pen for president in 2012 and 2017 and described her as a modern “Joan of Arc” she hoped could “save” France.

Conservative politician Eric Ciotti suggested a national farewell like the one organized for French rock legend Johnny Hallyday.

He launched an online petition that had garnered just over 7,000 signatures Monday.

France Obit Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Bardot poses with a huge sombrero she brought back from Mexico, as she arrives at Orly Airport in Paris, France, on May 27, 1965.

AP


Left-wing politicians temper praise and some are sharply critical

But few left-wing politicians have spoken about Bardot’s passing.

“Brigitte Bardot was a towering figure, a symbol of freedom, rebellion, and passion,” Philippe Brun, a senior Socialist party deputy, told Europe 1 radio.

“We are sad she is gone,” he said, adding he did not oppose a national homage.

But he did hint at her controversial political views.

“As for her political commitments, there will be time enough — in the coming days and weeks — to talk about them,” he said.

Communist party leader Fabien Roussel called Bardot a divisive figure.

But “we all agree French cinema created BB and that she made it shine throughout the world,” he wrote on X.

Lawmaker Sandrine Rousseau, of the left-leaning Greens Party, was more critical.

“To be moved by the fate of dolphins but remain indifferent to the deaths of migrants in the Mediterranean — what level of cynicism is that?” she quipped on BlueSky.

Bardot’s remarks on her funeral raised some eyebrows  

Bardot said she wanted to be buried in her garden with a simple wooden cross above her grave — just like for her animals — and wanted to avoid “a crowd of idiots” at her funeral.

Such a burial is possible in France if local authorities grant permission.

Born on Sept. 28, 1934 in Paris, Bardot was raised in a well-off traditional Catholic household.

Married four times, she had one child, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier, with her second husband, actor Jacques Charrier.

After quitting the cinema, Bardot withdrew to her home in Saint-Tropez to devote herself to animal rights.

Her calling apparently came when she encountered a goat on the set of her final film, “The Edifying and Joyous Story of Colinot.” To save it from being killed, she bought the animal and kept it in her hotel room.

“I’m very proud of the first chapter of my life,” she told AFP in a 2024 interview ahead of her 90th birthday.

“It gave me fame, and that fame allows me to protect animals — the only cause that truly matters to me.”



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Bunnie XO details discovering Jelly Roll’s affair in new memoir

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Bunnie XO details discovering Jelly Roll’s affair in new memoir


The couple marked their nine-year anniversary last year

Bunnie Xo is opening up about the darkest chapter of her marriage to Jelly Roll.

In her new memoir, Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic, the podcaster, 44, reveals she contemplated suicide in 2018 after discovering the country star, 41, was having an affair just two years after tying the knot — a betrayal that nearly ended both her marriage and her life.

After an explosive fight, Jelly Roll, born Jason Bradley DeFord, moved out of their Nashville home with his daughter, Bailee. Bunnie, whose real name is Alisa DeFord, grew increasingly suspicious.

Despite his denials, she later learned “he had his ex-fling waiting for him in a hotel down the street.” When a friend confirmed the affair, the weight of it all crushed her. 

“That night I contemplated taking my life,” she revealed. “The pain was so intense that I genuinely just wanted to end it all.” She recalled staring at a bottle of pills and wondering, “Would J even care if I was dead?” Ultimately, she stopped herself.

The road back wasn’t easy. “I’m not going to pretend that we just went back to normal. We absolutely did not,” she admitted, adding, “It would take years to actually feel like this man loved me — that I wasn’t disposable.”

Last year, the couple marked nine years of marriage.





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Stephen Colbert slams CBS, says lawyers told him James Talarico interview could not air on “The Late Show”

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Stephen Colbert slams CBS, says lawyers told him James Talarico interview could not air on “The Late Show”


“The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert criticized CBS on Monday night, saying the network blocked his interview with U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico from airing. 

“You know who is not one of my guests tonight? That’s Texas State Representative James Talarico,” Colbert told his studio audience. “He was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast. Then I was told in some uncertain terms that not only could I not have him on, I could not mention me not having him on. And because my network clearly doesn’t want us to talk about this, let’s talk about this.”

Colbert said the reason CBS prevented “The Late Show” from broadcasting Talarico’s appearance was rooted in new guidance from the FCC for daytime talk shows and late-night TV programs, which requires the shows to provide equal time to opposing candidates.

While “The Late Show” didn’t air Talarico’s interview on TV, it did post it on YouTube, where FCC rules don’t apply.  

“The network says I can’t give you a URL or a QR code, but I promise you, if you go to our YouTube page, you’ll find it,” Colbert said.

Talarico, a Democrat, has served as a Texas state representative since 2018 and is campaigning in the Democratic primary to represent his state in the U.S. Senate.  

CBS said in a statement: “THE LATE SHOW was not prohibited by CBS from broadcasting the interview with Rep. James Talarico. The show was provided legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC equal-time rule for two other candidates, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and presented options for how the equal time for other candidates could be fulfilled. THE LATE SHOW decided to present the interview through its YouTube channel with on-air promotion on the broadcast rather than potentially providing the equal-time options.”

CBS News has reached out to the FCC for comment.

The FCC issued a notice last month that daytime talk shows and late-night programs must give equal time to opposing candidates. The announcement hinged on a decades-old federal law requiring any FCC-licensed broadcaster that lets a political candidate appear on its airwaves to also offer “equal opportunities” to all other candidates running for the same office. The law exempts “bona fide newscasts” and news interviews from the equal time rule.   

FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who was appointed by President Trump and is an ally of the president, wrote on X as he shared the notice: “For years, legacy TV networks assumed that their late night & daytime talk shows qualify as ‘bona fide news’ programs – even when motivated by purely partisan political purposes. Today, the FCC reminded them of their obligation to provide all candidates with equal opportunities.”

On “The Late Show” Monday, Colbert said, “Well, sir, you’re chairman of the FCC, so FCC U, because I think you are motivated by partisan purposes yourself.”

“Let’s just call this what it is: Donald Trump’s administration wants to silence anyone who says anything bad about Trump on TV, because all Trump does is watch TV, OK? He’s like a toddler with too much screentime. He gets cranky and then drops a load in his diaper,” Colbert said.

CBS News has reached out to the White House for comment. 

Talarico shared a clip on social media early Tuesday, saying, “This is the interview Donald Trump didn’t want you to see. His FCC refused to air my interview with Stephen Colbert. Trump is worried we’re about to flip Texas.”

Tuesday marked the first day of early voting in Texas for the March 3 primary, in which Talarico faces U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and businessman Ahmad Hassan. They are facing off to take on the winner of the Republican primary, in which longtime GOP Sen. John Cornyn is being challenged by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt. Both races could go to runoffs if no candidate in either party gets 50% of the vote.

Networks, individual shows and talk show hosts have come under fire by Mr. Trump for what he has claimed is their politically biased programming. Mr. Trump has at times called for broadcasters to lose their FCC licenses. 

After taking over “The Late Show” from David Letterman in 2015, Colbert is preparing to wrap his final season as its host in May, when CBS will retire the late-night franchise. Although many suggested the cancellation was politically motivated, as Colbert has been an outspoken critic of Mr. Trump and his administration, the network insisted its decision was purely financial. 



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Oscar-nominated star Rose Byrne gets real about burnout behind the camera

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Oscar-nominated star Rose Byrne gets real about burnout behind the camera


Oscar-nominated star Rose Byrne gets real about burnout behind the camera

Rose Byrne has opened up about how she relaxes after long and emotionally draining days on film sets.

The 46-year-old actress is currently starring in new psychological comedy drama If I Had Legs I’d Kick You and got nominated for Oscars, where she plays a mother going through a deep personal struggle.

While talking about the pressure of intense roles, Rose admitted that she keeps her coping routine simple once filming wraps up.

She shared: “I drink a lot of alcohol. To be honest, it’s sometimes as simple as having a cocktail after a long day on set or switching on the TV.”

The Platonic actress also explained that she does not follow any spiritual routine but she focus on her quiet family life.

She, however, lives in Brooklyn with her husband Bobby Cannavale and says that they now want calm and private lifestyle.

The actress went on to add that she leans heavily on her close family and home community.

Her children Rocco and Rafael play a big role in keeping her grounded. Rose said, “My children couldn’t care less if I’ve had a long day but in the best and most refreshing way.”

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is written and directed by Mary Bronstein and also stars Conan O’Brien as her therapist.





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