George Pimentel/Getty

Disney’s lengthy search for its live-action Aladdin lead has come to a close with Mena Massoud. The Egypt-born, Canada-raised actor was announced for the titular role during the D23 Expo, a three-day fan convention in California, alongside Naomi Scott from Power Rangers as Jasmine and Will Smith as Genie.

“So honored & grateful for the opportunity to help bring this magical story to life once again,” Massoud tweeted after the news dropped. “Let’s get to work!”

Massoud has been working in television and film since 2011, amassing credits on Teen Nick’s Open Heart, The CW’s Nikita, and the Canadian series Saving Hope. But he’s largely remained under the radar — until this new boost to his celebrity stock.

Get to know the new Aladdin star below.

His first role was on Nikita

In 2011, Massoud appeared on “Covenants,” the 17th episode of Nikita season 1, his first credited role. He portrayed a member of Al-Qaeda, whose convoy was stopped by the border of Chechnya, thanks to the titular assassin.

Massoud has felt the sting of Hollywood’s diversity fight

Open Heart was Massoud’s most well-known gig in 2015, playing the character Jared, and even that point in his career was hard won.

“I grew up in a culturally different household,” he explained in an interview with Defective Geeks. “My parents saw certain things differently than other people. I went to schools that had a significantly large Caucasian population and I feel very fortunate because I was able to compare that perspective with my family’s. It allowed me to create a wider world view on things. Also, though, at this point in my career, being a visible minority in this industry still affects me.”

RELATED: Disney’s Live-Action Aladdin Finally Finds Its Stars

He continued, “I can’t compete for roles that require me to be Caucasian or African American, even if those characters really connect with me and intrigue me. The competition may be less, some people would say, but the amount of work to be had is less as well. However, I think the industry is growing more and more and starting to support actors of all cultural backgrounds.”

We’ll be seeing more of him beyond Aladdin

Alongside stars like John Krasinski and Timothy Hutton, Massoud will appear in Amazon’s straight-to-series Jack Ryan from creators Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland. He’ll play Tarek Kassar, “the best and brightest” of the CIA analysts, as well as a friend to Krasinski’s Jack Ryan. Busting Jack’s chops is part of their relationship.

RELATED: Dumbo Live-Action Remake Flying Toward 2019

Robin Williams helped inspire him to pursue acting

Massoud’s new role in Aladdin couldn’t be more significant for the actor. According to an interview with the website The Hudsucker, the late Robin Williams, “in everything he did,” was a major inspiration for Massoud to pursue acting. Massoud would transfer from the University of Toronto to an arts program at Ryerson University. “He was an incredibly well-rounded actor but I grew up on his role in Mrs. Doubtfire,” Massoud said of Williams. “That role by itself is very well-rounded and he goes through an amazing journey in that movie. I think it’s very underrated.”

Williams, of course, iconically voiced the Genie in Disney’s animated original of Aladdin.

Stars are just like us—except for, you know … the multi-million dollar vacations, designer freebies, star-studded parties, and celebrity networks. But aside from those things, we’re all leading identical lives, right?

Case in point, Blackish actress Yara Shahidi met an idol of hers at the BET Awards on Sunday. Instead of hiding away and snapping far-off pics from her iPhone (what we would do, TBH), the Harvard-bound star actually went up to “the phenomenal” Chance the Rapper and not only met him, but offered to babysit for his 22-month-old daughter, Kensli Bennett.

“I met the phenomenal @chancetherapper and I offered to babysit (IM GEEKED) #MamaweMadeIt #BETAwards,” Shahidi wrote on Sunday.

Click Here: pinko shop cheap

Chance, another Obama fam favorite, took the actress up on her offer less than an hour later, writing:

“It was awesome to meet you! And yeah whenever your avail.”

Honestly not sure who we’re more jealous of in this situation. Probably Yara, though, because LOOK. AT. THIS. BABY:

RELATED: You Have to Hear Michelle Obama’s Shout-Out to Chance The Rapper at the BET Awards

We’re expecting live updates from Yara the second they meet.

Ever have an intense craving for Olive Garden breadsticks? Amazon understands. That’s why they’re currently testing a system where you can order your Olive Garden soup, salad, and breadsticks online through Amazon Prime. No restaurant guest pagers required.

“The only way Amazon is in our world right now is through Amazon Prime delivery,” said Gene Lee, the CEO of Darden Restaurants. “We have a test going on with them. We’ll continue to partner with them and see if we can make that work.”

And, well—can it? We need to know ASAP. Hey, we’ll even be in the test group if that makes things a little easier.

This partnership may be taking place because ToGo orders are becoming more and more popular. According to CNBC, Olive Garden has seen a 16 percent rise with their takeout orders.

Click Here: mochila fjallraven

Coinage Video: Amazon Is Changing the Way We Shop

So, it makes sense for them to research other ways for guests to grab some of their food without having to, y’know, put on pants.

Of course, there’s a few details about this deal that Lee hasn’t been as open with. For one, we don’t know if we’ll be able to order from the full menu. And, we also don’t know if the other Darden Restaurants—which include but aren’t limited to LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s, and Bahama Breeze—will also be participating.

Tapping into the restaurant industry is nothing new for Amazon. In fact, some major cities have the ability to order from their Amazon Restaurants section with their Prime membership. With this program, Amazon promises delivery within one hour, and even offers $10 off your first order. That’s a pretty good deal, as far as breadsticks are concerned.

RELATED: Chanel Just Won a Multimillion-Dollar Lawsuit Against Amazon Sellers

If the team over at Olive Garden find a solution that works, we’ll truly believe that there’s nothing Amazon can’t do.

If your mother is Madonna, we’re guessing you spend a lot of days (and perhaps a few evenings) dancing, singing, and having the most fun any child could have.

Well, our theories were proven true by Madonna’s latest post on Instagram. It features a video of her adorable twin daughters, Stella and Esther Mwale, whom she adopted back in February. In the clip, the cute duo is dancing and singing their hearts out to Shakira’s hit song, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”

The pair matched in yellow, rose-embroidered T-shirts and matching tutus. (So we may also be using them for style inspiration before the summer is over.)

Naturally, Madonna’s loyal fans went crazy in her comments to show their love for the girls. “I love seeing videos of these beautiful children,” and “I live for these posts on your Instagram,” are just a couple that demonstrate how happy the video made everyone.

Ilya S. Savenok/Getty

Stella and Esther have become quite the social media stars since Madonna adopted them from Malawi. She frequently posts pictures of them in darling outfits and simply just having a good time.

RELATED: This Just in: Madonna Adopts Twin Sisters from Malawi

Click Here: liverpool mens jersey

Talk about being put in the best mood ever.

Warning: This post contains spoilers for season seven of Game of Thrones.

After more than three seasons without even a mention of his name, Gendry finally made his triumphant return in Sunday’s episode of Game of Thrones. But after recruiting him to Jon Snow’s cause, Davos Seaworth tried to convince Gendry to introduce himself to the King in the North using an alias.

“The King’s got a lot on his mind…He doesn’t need to be thinking about harboring the bastard of a dead king,” Davos told him, referring to the fact that Gendry is the illegitimate son of Robert Baratheon. “You’re just Clovis, a smith who’s come to pay his respects before he heads off to work at the Winterfell forges.”

Gendry completely ignored Davos’ advice, choosing to reveal his true identity to Jon. But some fans believe the fake name was a clue about what’s in store for the lovable blacksmith.

“Before Gendry goes rogue and tells Jon exactly who he is, Davos tries to convince him to use an alias,” Reddit user fifthpilgrim wrote. “The fake name that Davos comes up with for Gendry is ‘Clovis’ and appears to be a little insight into Gendry’s future role in the show. In the real world, there is a stone tool technology (see: spear/arrow heads and other stone tools) called Clovis. The significance of dragonglass (obsidian) this season, along with Gendry’s skill as a smith highlights the importance of Davos’ fake name for him. This appears to be a clever connection put in by the writers to suggest that Gendry will survive beyond the Wall and will become the person to make the weapons out of the dragonglass for the war against the dead.”

This theory seems plausible considering Jon recently came into an entire mine’s worth of dragonglass that needs to be forged into viable weapons. However, there is also speculation that the name may have been a reference to the Frankish king Clovis I.

“Clovis was the first king of the Franks to unite everyone (in what is now France) under one ruler, fixing a huge succession issue,” user yogurtraisin wrote. “He created the Merovingian dynasty, which lasted for two centuries. I think this was very intentional, and the Gendry will have a big part in repairing the issue of succession in Westeros.”

RELATED: Ikea Released Instructions on How to Make Your Own Jon Snow-Style Cape

Whatever the case, let’s just hope nobody sends Gendry away in a rowboat again anytime soon.

The sixth episode of Game of Thrones‘ seventh season airs Aug. 20 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

Click Here: liverpool mens jersey

Michelle Obama might have left the White House, but she’s still inspiring women each and every day. The former First Lady spoke at the Women’s Foundation of Colorado’s 30th anniversary celebration on Tuesday in Denver, giving a powerful speech asking women not to give up.

The former FLOTUS was interviewed by WFCO President and CEO Lauren Casteel, who asked Obama what it was like breaking the glass ceiling to become the first black first lady—and which of the “falling shards” cut the deepest.

Jason Bahr/Getty

“The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut,” she said, according to The Denver Post. “Knowing that after eight years of working really hard for this country, there are still people who won’t see me for what I am because of my skin color.”

Click Here: liverpool mens jersey

“Women, we endure those cuts in so many ways that we don’t even notice we’re cut,” she continued. “We are living with small tiny cuts, and we are bleeding every single day. And we’re still getting up.”

VIDEO: Michelle Obama Gets Honest About Post-White House Life

For the rare public appearance since leaving the White House, Obama looked radiant in a pink printed dress and white stilettos. As her husband, Barack Obama, has done for public appearances, she steered clear of addressing specifics regarding the current administration, but she did bestow a message of hope upon the 8,500-person audience. “The people in this country are universally good and kind and honest and decent,” she said. “Don’t be afraid of the country you live in. The folks here are good.”

RELATED: Michelle and Malia Obama Tour the Indonesian City Where Barack’s Mom Worked in Breezy Summer Looks

Wise words.

Coca-Cola is dropping Coke Zero and adding a different diet option.

The soda company announced Wednesday that it will start selling Coca-Cola Zero Sugar in August. The new drink option will feature an updated look and a new taste.

“We’ve made the great taste of Coke Zero even better by optimizing the unique blend of flavors that gave Coke Zero its real Coca-Cola taste. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar is our best-tasting zero-sugar Coca-Cola yet, and it will be available across America in August,” Coca-Cola said in a release.

Coca-Cola added that the Zero Sugar drink has sold well in over 30 countries around the world already.

VIDEO: Seltzer vs. Club Soda vs. Tonic Water—What’s the Difference?

Before the new drink’s launch, Coca-Cola will hold an “experimental sampling tour” where people throughout the country can try Coca-Cola Zero Sugar.

RELATED: These Narciso Rodriguez Bags Are Made Out of Soda Tabs

“We’re confident that loyal Coke Zero fans will love the new-and-improved recipe, and that fans of original Coca-Cola fans—who are looking to reduce their sugar intake—will want to try it, too,” the release said.

Click Here: liverpool mens jersey

Gwyneth Paltrow is taking off the gloves.

The actress, 44, has been fiercely defending her controversial lifestyle brand Goop as of late — especially since the recent launch of Goop Magazine — and she continued to taunt her haters in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

“I’m interested in criticism based on fact, not on projections,” she said. “If you want to f— with me, bring your A game.”

Earlier this month, the star-turned-wellness guru defended her brand as a surprise guest on The Late Late Show. Paltrow stood behind host James Corden as he relentlessly mocked Goop, which offers controversial health advice for women — and its new magazine, which featured Paltrow wearing nothing but mud on its debut cover.

“The cover features Gwyneth Paltrow lying down in mud,” Corden joked. “I can’t believe Gwyneth Paltrow beat out the competition to be on the cover of the new Gwyneth Paltrow magazine.”

He even mocked the cover, changing its name to Poop – “We actually fixed the cover to be more appropriate,” he quipped.

RELATED: Gwyneth Paltrow’s Daughter Apple Loves Fashion

Poking even more fun at the star, Corden said, “Pretending to be down to earth has been Gwyneth Paltrow’s best performance yet.”

That’s when Paltrow chimed in, saying, “Hi, James. Just wanted to stop by.” She added, “James, I mean, to be fair, I think you’re being a little harsh. There are a lot of people that listen to the advice that we give in Goop.”

Members of Corden’s crew then proceeded to demonstrate some of Goop’s lifestyle recommendations like “grounding” — the website claims walking barefoot could cure insomnia — and “vaginal steaming” — which doctors have previously told PEOPLE is “probably not good for your vagina.”

RELATED: Gwyneth Paltrow Is Topless and Covered in Goop

Nevertheless, Paltrow has already opened up her first Goop brick and mortar location in Los Angeles, and is even setting her sights on TV.

During her interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Paltrow announced plans to launch a show with the working title of The Radical Wellness Show.

“I would be going into the field and talking to any number of doctors, scientists, civilians, people in crisis in Flint, Michigan, where there is something to uncover and confront about wellness,” she explained. “We would want it to feel more Vice-y in its vibe, but we’re just in the brainstorming phase.”

But don’t expect an entire Goop network.

“Dude, then I’ll be hospitalized,” she joked.

At least 50 people have been killed and 200 wounded after a gunman opened fire on a country music festival with a fully automatic weapon Sunday night.

The shooting started just as Jason Aldean began his show at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, a three-day country music festival.

Videos posted on social media show Aldean singing as very rapid gunfire begins in the background. He can be seen running from stage as he, and the thousands in the crowd, realized what was happening.

One off-duty officer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, who was attending the concert, is among the dead, Sheriff Joseph Lombardo told reporters early Monday.

Witnesses reported that a gunman continued to rain bullets on the terrified audience for up to two hours. The victims took the short pauses while the shooter reloaded to run to safety, according to NBC News. Many were trapped in the concert venue as police searched for the gunman.

Police SWAT officers killed the shooter – identified as Stephen Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada – after finding him on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Casino, Lombardo said.

“Right now we believe it’s a solo act, a lone wolf attacker,” Lombardo told reporters early Monday. “We are pretty confident there is no longer a threat.”

The gunman has not yet been officially identified.

Aldean called the scene “horrific,” but said he was safe in an Instagram post early Monday.

“Tonight has been beyond horrific. I still dont know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that Me and my Crew are safe. My Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved tonight,” he wrote. “It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night.”

Aldean’s wife Brittany posted a message on Instagram early Monday saying, “We are safe… our angels were definitely watching over us tonight. No words for what happened… Just horrific. Praying for everyone.”

Witness Ivetta Saldana told the Las Vegas Review-Journal, “It was was a horror show. People were standing around, then they hit the floor.”

Robyn Webb, who was at the concert with her husband, told the newspaper, “It just kept coming. It was relentless.”

Authorities are searching for a 62-year-old woman named Marylou Danly, whom they call the gunman’s roommate. She is being called a person of interest in the investigation.

NBC reports that police have searched a home in Mesquite, Nevada, 85 miles from Las Vegas. It’s believed the gunman lived there with Danly.

Country star Jake Owen has just finished his set and was still on stage when the shooting started. He told the Today show that he ran off the stage and ducked for cover.

“I was crouched down behind a cop car. There was blood on people and you could see a couple of people in the streets that looked like they had been shot,” he said.

It’s a well-known fact that Reese Witherspoon has the perfect mini-me in her 18-year-old daughter Ava Phillippe, but every time we see them together, we still marvel at how much they really do look like twins.

The mother-daughter duo hit the HBO after-party of the Emmy Awards on Sunday after mom Reese’s show Big Little Lies won big with eight Emmys, and, as always, they looked perfectly in sync.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

During the bash, guests chowed down on roasted plums and champagne while Witherspoon posed for snaps on the red carpet. The actress kept her deep sea blue suit dress on from the award show, while Phillippe kept things classic in a black dress and hoop earrings.

VIDEO: What Snack Would You Smuggle In At The Emmys?

At the party, Witherspoon opened up to InStyle about what the Big Little Lies wins meant to her. “When we got four nominations for different female performances, I felt like that was a big moment. All I did … set out four years ago to create better roles for women in film and television. That was the win,” she said. “I feel like we won before we got there that night. Just to have this, it’s just icing on the cake … We feel so lucky!”

RELATED: Reese Made Daughter Ava Phillippe Cry on Her 18th Birthday

Witherspoon added that she planned on celebrating her achievements “with her girls,” and we’re sure that means Phillippe, too.

Click Here: liverpool mens jersey

Talk about mother-daughter goals.

—With reporting by Brianna Deutsch