September 2025 – What You Missed This Month
If you’ve been scrolling through feeds and wondering what actually landed in September, you’re in the right spot. Below is a quick, no‑fluff run‑through of the stories that grabbed attention, from red‑carpet drama to a stray‑dog study in Chernobyl. Grab a coffee and see which headlines deserve a second look.
Entertainment Highlights
Dwayne Johnson revealed that his role in The Smashing Machine turned his career upside‑down, saying the raw, hidden‑camera style gave him a whole new perspective on acting. Over in pop news, Selena Gomez announced her engagement to producer Benny Blanco, sparking a wave of prenup chatter as her Rare Beauty brand continues to out‑earn him.
Music lovers got a big night at the MTV VMAs 2025. Lady Gaga walked away with four trophies, while Ariana Grande snagged Video of the Year. The show also featured a massive Ozzy Osbourne tribute that brought together YUNGBLUD, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Nuno Bettencourt for an eight‑minute rock salute.
The Weeknd rolled out his new album Hurry Up Tomorrow, mixing 80s synths with darker R&B vibes. He also extended his stadium tour into 2026, adding stops in Mexico, Brazil, Europe, and the UK, and pledged $1 per ticket to Global Citizen and the UN World Food Programme.
Culture, Tech & Oddball Stories
Gaming fans got a handy guide for the Umamusume Pretty Derby claw‑machine event, showing how to line up the grab for a guaranteed 100‑carat reward. Meanwhile, a fan‑made mod swapped the Haru Urara character into the game Zenless Zone Zero, proving the community still loves clever crossovers.
Scientists returned to the Chernobyl exclusion zone, mapping DNA from 302 stray dogs that survived decades of radiation. Their quick adaptation could give clues for cancer research and radiation medicine.
On the sports side, Paris Fury faced backlash after posting lavish birthday photos of her daughter, a 14‑year‑old who celebrated with a light‑up sign and designer heels. The family said it was a “long day” dealing with the public eye, while fans defended the right to celebrate.
Rising soccer star Lamine Yamal and singer Nicki Nicole had a whirlwind romance rumor that fizzled out as quickly as it started, leaving followers guessing what really happened. In another celebrity note, Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz were spotted sharing a kiss in London and strolling arm‑in‑arm through Rome, fueling fresh dating speculation.
Beyond the buzz, Lancaster University topped the North West in the Complete University Guide 2026, and Steve Wright’s long‑standing Radio 2 slot finally gave way to a new lineup, sparking debates about age and audience strategy.
All told, September delivered a blend of glitter, grit, and genuine curiosity. Whether you’re into award shows, gaming tricks, or the science behind radiation‑proof dogs, the month offered something to keep you scrolling. Bookmark this page to revisit the stories that matter most to you.
Dwayne Johnson says 'The Smashing Machine' changed his life
Dwayne Johnson’s Venice premiere of The Smashing Machine marks his most personal turn yet, portraying Mark Kerr under Benny Safdie’s raw, hidden-camera style.
Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco; prenup talk heats up
Selena Gomez is engaged to Benny Blanco after a year together. The Instagram reveal sparks prenup talk as Rare Beauty’s founder out-earns the producer.
Paris Fury says it was a 'long day' after backlash to daughter's lavish 14th birthday, as fans push back
Paris Fury faced criticism after posting photos from daughter Venezuela’s 14th birthday, which featured a light-up 14 sign, balloons, and pricey designer heels. Some users called the display tone-deaf during a cost-of-living squeeze. Fans defended her right to celebrate. Paris later said she’d had a “long day,” as the family’s growing profile keeps their private moments under public scrutiny.
Kneecap: London court drops terror-related charge against rapper, no sign of Canada ban
A London court has dismissed a terror-related charge against a member of Irish rap group Kneecap. Rumors that the group was banned from entering Canada aren’t backed by any public evidence. Here’s what was decided in court, what’s unclear, and why the group keeps drawing headlines.
House of Guinness: James Norton spotted with bloodied head on set — here’s what we actually know
Photos showed James Norton with a bloodied head while filming House of Guinness. It looked dramatic, but there’s no sign of a real injury. Here’s what we know about the scene, the safety playbook on set, and how Steven Knight’s new Netflix series—shot in Cheshire, Dublin, Stockport, and Liverpool—shapes up ahead of its September 25, 2025 premiere.
MTV Video Music Awards 2025: Lady Gaga leads with four wins as CBS simulcast drives six-year ratings high
The 2025 VMAs hit 5.5 million viewers—the best in six years—thanks to a first-ever CBS simulcast. Lady Gaga led with four wins from 12 nominations but left early to perform at Madison Square Garden. Ariana Grande won Video of the Year, and Mariah Carey received the Video Vanguard Award. New fan-voted categories and veteran honors rounded out a tightly produced night.
The Weeknd’s ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ Review: Big Hooks, Dark Corners, and a Risky Middle
Hurry Up Tomorrow folds The Weeknd’s 80s glow back into a darker, more reflective space. Led by singles “Timeless” and “Sao Paulo,” the album opens with a surge, dips into a slower, moody middle, and re-emerges with sharp electronic flourishes. It balances rap, R&B, electronic, and Funk carioca touches while tracing themes of fame’s fallout, coping, and isolation.
Ozzy Osbourne Tribute Stuns at 2025 MTV VMAs: YUNGBLUD, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry Lead 8-Minute Medley
An all-star crew honored Ozzy Osbourne at the 2025 MTV VMAs with an eight-minute medley led by YUNGBLUD and featuring Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Nuno Bettencourt. The set rolled through “Crazy Train,” “Changes,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” and aired live from New York City. YUNGBLUD wore Ozzy’s cross and called him his “northstar,” while performers nodded to Ozzy’s recent farewell shows.
Umamusume Pretty Derby Claw Machine Guide: Trigger the Event, Master the Grab, Earn 100 Carats
The claw machine minigame in Umamusume Pretty Derby pops up during recreation in Career Training after you clear the Junior period. You get three tries, faster each time, and success comes from perfect center alignment over a plushie. Grab 3+ in one drop to clear the mission and earn 100 Carats. Smart timing, energy management, and target selection can turn a random event into reliable gains.
The Weeknd Extends ‘After Hours Til Dawn’ Stadium Tour Into 2026: Mexico, Brazil, Europe, UK
The Weeknd has pushed his record-breaking ‘After Hours Til Dawn’ stadium tour into 2026, adding Mexico, Brazil, Europe, and the UK. The run opens April 20 in Mexico City and closes August 30 in Madrid, with Anitta on Latin American dates and Playboi Carti in Europe/UK. Backed by Live Nation and Nespresso, the tour has already grossed $635.5M and donates $1 per ticket to Global Citizen and the UN WFP.
MTV VMAs 2025: Why Some Coverage Stays Out of Reach—and What You Can Do
Couldn’t open Pitchfork’s “Best and Worst” take on the 2025 MTV VMAs? You’re not alone. Between paywalls, geo-blocks, pop-ups, and outages, big-night coverage can vanish just when you want it. Here’s why it happens, how entertainment media handles access, and smart ways to find reliable recaps without sketchy sites.
Uma Musume Pretty Derby fans crash grass-gifting site to feed Haru Urara, the beloved underdog
Fans of Uma Musume: Pretty Derby bought so much premium ryegrass for Haru Urara—a real racehorse who never won in 113 starts—that they crashed a Japanese donation site. A single viral tweet drew global supporters, who ordered more than 2.5 tons of grass. The service says all orders will be delivered over time, turning a game’s underdog story into real-world care.
Ozzy Osbourne Tribute at VMAs 2025 Unites Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Nuno Bettencourt and Yungblud
The 2025 MTV VMAs staged a moving salute to Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July at 76. Yungblud led with 'Crazy Train' and 'Changes,' before Steven Tyler and Joe Perry joined for 'Mama, I'm Coming Home,' with Nuno Bettencourt on guitar. Jack Osbourne and his four children introduced the performance with a personal message to fans.
Bagpuss row: BBC 'wrong' to end classic after 13 episodes, say creators’ families
Half a century after its debut, the families of Bagpuss creators say the BBC called time too soon on the classic children's show. Despite only 13 episodes, Bagpuss topped a 1999 BBC poll as Britain’s favourite kids’ programme. Daniel Postgate says executives wanted faster, flashier shows. The families now welcome talk of a remake.
Haru Urara: How a Losing Racehorse Became a Pink-Haired Gacha Icon—and a Cultural Phenomenon
Haru Urara, Japan’s famously winless racehorse, became a global fan favorite thanks to Umamusume: Pretty Derby. The pink-haired anime version ignited viral attention, pushed a farm to address fandom directly, and even jammed a donation site. Her real-life story ended on Sept. 9, 2025, with her death from colic at age 29, leaving a rare legacy that bridges racing, gaming, and internet culture.
MTV VMAs 2025: Winners and Big Moments From a Night of Visual Power
Lady Gaga led the MTV VMAs 2025 with four wins after topping the field with 12 nominations. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter scored three each. Bruno Mars, despite 11 nods, took home two awards, as did Tate McRae, Doechii, and Mariah Carey. The show added Best Country and Best Pop Artist, with fan voting running Aug 5–Sep 5 and Best New Artist open until the end of the broadcast.
VMAs 2025 After-Party Fashion: Tate McRae and BLACKPINK’s Rosé Lead a Daring Night in New York
From Sabrina Carpenter’s Studio 54-themed bash to rooftop finales, the VMAs 2025 after-parties turned NYC into a runway. Tate McRae went sheer, Rosé dazzled in fringe and pins, and Mariah Carey switched to rocker chic after her Vanguard honor. Lady Gaga topped the winners list, while Ariana Grande took Video of the Year.
Ozzy Osbourne Tribute Unites Rock Legends at 2025 MTV VMAs
At the 2025 MTV VMAs, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Yungblud, and Nuno Bettencourt delivered an emotional, eight-minute tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne. The medley featured Crazy Train, Changes, and Mama, I'm Coming Home. Tyler came out of retirement for the performance, while Yungblud wore a cross Ozzy gave him. The multigenerational set highlighted Osbourne’s enduring impact on rock.
Haru Urara Mod Brings Umamusume to Zenless Zone Zero in Slick Fan Crossover
A fan creator has added Haru Urara from Umamusume: Pretty Derby to Zenless Zone Zero with a cosmetic mod that replaces S-Rank agent Ju Fufu. The mod keeps gameplay intact while swapping in Haru Urara’s signature racing outfit. It’s available on GameBanana and has drawn strong community reaction, highlighting how modders keep building clever crossovers between big games.
Lamine Yamal and Nicki Nicole: Timeline of the Rumored Romance and Sudden Breakup Buzz
Lamine Yamal, 18, and Nicki Nicole, 25, lit up summer 2025 with dating rumors after birthday sightings, a Monaco trip, and a romantic Instagram Story. Days later, traces of the fling vanished from social media, sparking breakup talk. Neither star has confirmed their status, while fresh rumors tie Nicole to Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono. Fans are left parsing stories, posts, and a very quiet clean-up.
The Roses Trailer: Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman Turn Marriage Into War
Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman go head‑to‑head in The Roses, a modern dark-comedy spin on The War of the Roses. Directed by Jay Roach and written by Tony McNamara, the film tracks a marriage from bliss to battlefield between 2011 and 2025 after a life-upending crisis in 2021. Early reviews praise the leads’ crackling chemistry and sharp dialogue. In theaters now from Searchlight Pictures.
Verónica Echegui, Spanish star of Intimacy and Fortitude, dies at 42 after private cancer battle
Spanish actress Verónica Echegui has died at 42 after a private cancer battle, her death confirmed in Madrid on August 24, 2025. Known for Netflix’s Intimacy and Apple TV+’s Love You to Death, she worked across Spanish and international film and TV. A Goya-winning director for Tótem Loba, she was named a European Film Promotion Shooting Star in 2009. Tributes poured in from across Spain, including Antonio Banderas and PM Pedro Sánchez.
Love Island USA Season 7 Reunion on Peacock: How to Watch and the Biggest Fallout
Love Island USA Season 7’s reunion aired August 25, 2025 on Peacock at 9 p.m. ET, reuniting the Fiji cast for fresh drama and long-awaited answers. Winners Bryan and Amaya faced cheating whispers. Jeremiah and Ace clashed over a “scammer” accusation. Huda’s post-show comments sparked emotional pushback from Chris, Chelley, and Olandria. An extended heart rate challenge capped the special.
Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz Spark Romance Rumors After London Kiss and Rome Stroll
Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz have fueled dating speculation after being seen kissing in London and walking arm-in-arm in Rome in late August 2025. Sources say they’ve been spending time together during Kravitz’s European press tour, but stress it’s early with no labels. Fans are buzzing, and the pair plan to reconnect in the U.S. once schedules calm down.