Paul Feig went into the final stages of his latest film fully prepared for disappointment, never expecting Taylor Swift to say yes to a song he believed was too perfect to be approved. 

But to his surprise, the pop superstar not only watched the movie, she signed off on the track he had hoped for all along.

Speaking during the red carpet premiere of The Housemaid on Monday, the four-time Emmy nominee admitted he had little faith that Swift would clear the use of her 2017 Reputation track I Did Something Bad for the film’s shocking ending. 

As Feig explained, securing a Taylor Swift song is never simple. 

“Well, that’s the thing; you want to put a Taylor song in your movie, but she and her company have to approve it,” he said while discussing the editing process.

Even with that reality in mind, Feig and his team took a chance. 

“So, we were tempting with it, and we were like, ‘It’s so perfect, but she’s never gonna clear this,’” he added. 

The unexpected twist came after Swift and her team were shown the finished film. 

“Then we showed she and her people the movie, and she approved it. So, I guess she likes it. Thank you Taylor!”

The approval turned a long-shot wish into a defining moment for The Housemaid, which is now playing in theaters. 

The film’s soundtrack leans heavily into emotionally charged and recognisable music, blending Swift’s song with tracks like Lana Del Rey’s Cinnamon Girl, Renée Rapp’s Why Is She Still Here?, Kelly Clarkson’s Since U Been Gone, and Linda Ronstadt’s Tumbling Dice and Blue Bayou.

Based on Freida McFadden’s 2022 novel, the thriller stars Sydney Sweeney as Millie, a housekeeper who steps into what appears to be a flawless household run by the Winchesters, played by Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar. 

As the story unfolds, dark secrets begin to surface.

Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are quietly stepping into the spotlight, with hints they may play future roles in the Sussexes’ newly rebranded charity, Archewell Philanthropies.

The organisation, originally launched as the Archewell Foundation in 2020 following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from royal duties, has now marked its five-year milestone with a fresh name and a subtle family-forward message. 

To mark the occasion, the charity released a celebratory video reflecting on its work over the past five years and fans were treated to a rare on-camera appearance from Archie, six, and Lilibet, four. 

The siblings featured alongside their parents during a recent visit to Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles, offering a glimpse into the Sussexes’ hands-on approach to community work.

In the heartwarming footage, Archie is seen earnestly scooping ingredients from a mixing bowl while Lilibet watches attentively from the counter. 

Archie opted for a bright yellow long-sleeved top, while Lilibet stole the scene in a sweet tartan dress, her flame-red hair styled in a Rapunzel-like plait that eventually came loose as she busied herself in the kitchen.

According to Archewell, the family visit focused on preparing and packaging meals for people experiencing food insecurity. 

Our Big Kitchen LA, a community-run nonprofit, typically produces around 70,000 meals for schools, shelters, senior centres and local organisations.

When it comes to parenting, Prince Harry and Meghan have made kindness a non-negotiable family value and Archie and Lilibet are clearly getting the message early.

Back in 2022, Meghan offered a rare glimpse into their hands-on approach during an interview with The Cut, when she invited journalist Allison P. Davis along for Archie’s school pick-up. 

The moment captured everyday lessons with lasting impact. “If Archie forgets to say please or thank you, Meghan gently reminds him that manners matter,” Davis wrote.

At one stoplight, Meghan was seen retrieving a brand-new backpack from the car boot and asking her security team to pass it to an unhoused man nearby. 

The Sussexes, Davis noted, explain to Archie that some people live in big homes, some in small ones, and others are temporarily without one at all. 

The family even prepares care kits stocked with water, peanut-butter crackers, and granola bars to give out.

Rob Reiner’s circle was wide and eclectic, spanning comedians honing punchlines and Oscar-winning actors and filmmakers shaping Hollywood itself. 

As the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, he entered the world of entertainment early – but went on to make a name for himself as a director, filmmaker, and actor in his own right.

He’s perhaps best known for his breakout role at age 23 as Archie Bunker’s liberal son-in-law, Michael “Meathead” Stivic in the hit 1970s sitcom “All in the Family,” though others may know him more recently as Bob Day, the father of the quirky Jess Day in “New Girl.” Reiner also directed iconic films such as “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally…,” “This is Spinal Tap,” “Stand By Me” and “A Few Good Men.”.

Friends and colleagues who worked with Reiner through the years sat down with CBS News to share their personal anecdotes and fond memories of him following the news of his tragic death. Reiner and his wife, Michele, were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Dec. 14 and their son, Nick, was charged in their murders.

Here’s a look at some tributes from those who knew Reiner best, featured in “CBS News: Rob Reiner – Scenes from a Life,” a one-hour special that will be broadcast Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

Albert Brooks

Albert Brooks said he’s still in disbelief over the death of his good friend, who he’s known since the pair attended drama class together at Beverly Hills High School more than 60 years ago.

“Rob was my oldest friend. It’s that simple. He’s the person that I’ve known the longest. I met him when I was 14 years old. So I’m still in that not believing it stage,” he told CBS News.

Brooks said he still finds himself dialing his pal’s number to chat, and then freezes when he realizes what he’s done. 

“I know it happened, but, you know, I’m driving around and all of a sudden – I actually two days ago, I called his number,” he recalled.

Kathy Bates

Oscar-winning actress Kathy Bates has credited Reiner with changing “the course of [her] life” by directing her unforgettable performance as Annie Wilkes in “Misery” in 1990.

“If I hadn’t done ‘Misery,’ it would be like George Bailey going back and seeing what his life would have been like if he had never been there,” she said. “I wouldn’t have had some of the friends that I have now. I wouldn’t have had the richness in my life. I quite frankly probably would have stayed in the theater and I doubt I would have had a movie career. I might have dropped out altogether.”

Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland who played Lt. Jonathan Kendrick in the 1992 legal drama “A Few Good Men” said Reiner had an unforgettable presence on set as director. He recalled the tense courtroom scene where Jack Nicholson – Colonel Nathan Jessup – had to deliver his now famous line, “You can’t handle the truth!” 

After the first moving take, Sutherland recalled Reiner asking Nicholson if he wanted to go again.

“No one said a word, and Rob went up to Jack Nicholson and whispered in his ear, ‘Do you want to do another one?’ And Jack Nicholson said, ‘Well, we’re here,'” Sutherland recalled. “So they did another one, and it was just as extraordinary.”

The actors planned a marathon filming day, but Sutherland said Reiner was so blown away by Nicholson’s performance that day that he sent everyone home early.

“They had planned to shoot the whole day, and Rob looked at everybody and said, ‘I couldn’t ask for anything more, so you guys all have the rest of the day off,” Sutherland said.