Entertainment
How Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin Pass Her Asian Heritage on to Their Kids (Exclusive)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Brenda-Song-and-Macaulay-Culkin-attend-the-2025-Vanity-Fair-Oscar-Party-032825-tout-f546ba6c81234bb59d0300d3c31fffda.jpg)
Brenda Song is proud of her heritage — and she’s making sure her children are, too.
The 37-year-old actress, who is of Thai and Hmong descent, reflects on growing up in a “tight-knit” community where language and culture were deeply rooted.
“My parents growing up would only speak to me and my brother in Hmong at home,” Song shares with PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “I’m so incredibly grateful that my parents made such a point that we didn’t lose our language or culture. We are a very tight-knit family. With my parents being refugees, I think it makes you stay even closer.”
Now a mother to two sons — Dakota, 4, and Carson, 2 — with partner Macaulay Culkin, The Last Showgirl actress is passing down those same traditions. “Every single night, my kids say ‘Good night’ and ‘I love you’ in English and also Hmong,” she says. “It’s about helping them understand that this is a part of who they are. My parents, cousins and grandma are here all the time, so it’s nice for my kids to experience both sides of their heritage. I don’t want them to lose that because it’s really easy, especially in LA.”
Amy Sussman/Getty
Song’s pride in her Thai and Hmong roots extends to every part of her life. “I always like to joke that when I started dating my partner, I’m like, ‘Oh, honey, you’re not just dating me. You’re dating my entire family,” she laughs, referring to Culkin, 44. “My mom literally has a room in our house. We also taught Mac how to speak some Hmong, and my grandma brought the boys and Mac traditional outfits, which is amazing.”
Throughout her career, from The Suite Life of Zack & Cody to Netflix’s Running Point, Song has remained grounded in her identity while demolishing Asian stereotypes in Hollywood.
“I truly believe Disney was ahead of the curve,” she says, reflecting on her breakout role as London Tipton. “They were allowing me to even audition for these roles and to star in my own projects without having this huge conversation behind it all. For kids to see themselves represented on TV in any way is so important. Sometimes you feel like, ‘Oh, is there even a place for me?’ I’ve struggled with that my entire career. Disney was trying to change that. They were mirroring what the world actually looks like.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Kat Marcinowski/Netflix
Talking about Running Point, she adds: “I was sort of at this crossroads, having been a new mom, not quite understanding again where I fit in this industry. Then I met with the creators, and within five minutes, I was like, ‘I’ll do anything to be part of this show.’ Working with Mindy Kaling has been really eye-opening because she’s made such strides in the AAPI community, pushing for strong stories and roles for East Asian women. Being able to speak Hmong on the show and represent my community means so much to me. And working with Kate has been such a dream, because, obviously, it’s fricking Kate Hudson.”
Reflecting on her journey, Song shares a message she hopes others will take to heart.
The PEOPLE App is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more!
“Sometimes you walk into a room and think, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m the only Asian actress here. They’re not going to want me because they’re looking for something else.’ But you can’t let that stop you,” she says. “If you love something and you work hard enough, anything is possible. You have to believe in yourself, because if you don’t, no one else will.”
Entertainment
‘Hunger Games’ actor arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, intent to kill

“Hunger Games” star Ethan Jamieson was arrested for allegedly assaulting three men with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill.
The actor, who portrayed the District 4 male tribute in the 2012 movie, was taken into custody after allegedly attacking the men with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun in Raleigh, North Carolina, TMZ reported Tuesday.
The alleged victim’s names weren’t revealed and were instead listed as E.F., J.M., and K.W.
According to Jamieson’s arrest report, he was previously arrested for allegedly “resisting a public officer” while in Raleigh in March 2025, per Us Weekly.
He was sentenced for the offense on March 26, according to People.
Jamieson, 27, got his start in the limelight when he scored a guest role in “One Tree Hill” in 2009.
He then starred in the 2010 movie “The Rusty Bucket Kids: Lincoln, Journey to 16” as Ethan.
Jamieson’s last role was in a 2013 episode of “Justified” as Milo Truth.
The actor previously gushed over filming “The Hunger Games” alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson.
“I knew that the books were popular, but I didn’t know that the movie was going to be so big,” he told Lancaster Online when the movie was released in 2012.
However, Jamieson admitted that he didn’t want to be a full-time actor and wanted to be a “normal person.”
That same month, he recalled working on the Gary Ross-directed set, telling Clevver TV, “There are a lot of good things [about production], but pulling pranks on each other was pretty fun.”
Entertainment
Katy Perry under investigation by Australian cops after Ruby Rose’s sexual assault allegation

Katy Perry is being investigated by Australian officials over Ruby Rose’s bombshell sexual assault allegation.
“Melbourne Sexual Offenses and Child Abuse Investigation Team detectives are investigating a historical sexual assault that occurred in Melbourne in 2010,” Acting Sergeant Paul Hogan of Victoria Police said in a statement Tuesday.
“Police have been told the incident occurred at a licensed premises in Melbourne’s Central Business District.”
Earlier that same day, Rose wrote via Threads that she had “finalized all reports” about Perry, 41, allegedly “pull[ing] her underwear to the side and rubb[ing] her disgusting vagina on [the actress’] face” at the Spice Market nightclub nearly 20 years ago.
“This means I am no longer able to comment, repost, or talk publicly about any of those cases, or the individuals involved,” the 40-year-old noted. “It’s going to look like I am ignoring everything from supportive messages, to other people’s experiences, but I’m not.”
The “Orange Is the New Black” alum added, “This is a standard request from the police and in many ways, quite the relief.”
Rose explained that she plans to “start the healing process” and “move forward.”
Perry’s rep did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
After Rose went viral for accusing the pop star of sexual assault over the weekend, Perry’s rep dubbed the allegations “categorically false” and “reckless lies.”
On Monday, the songwriter’s spokesperson said, “Ms. Rose has a well-documented history of making serious public allegations on social media against various individuals, claims that have repeatedly been denied by those named.”
Perry shared a powerful message via Instagram Stories the following day, sharing her 2013 song “Grace of God.”
The lyrics, notably, center around the ability “to rise above” during hard times — and feature a line about how “the truth will set you free.”
Rose claimed on Sunday to have “photos” and “multiple” witnesses to back up her accusation.
The “Batwoman” star, who said she “threw up” on Perry after the alleged incident, added, “I told the story publicly but changed it to be a ‘funny little drunk story’ because I didn’t know how else to handle it.”
“Later [Perry] agreed to help me get my US visa. So I kept it a secret,” she continued.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
Entertainment
Dave Portnoy claims Dianna Russini’s resignation letter makes ‘zero sense’

Dave Portnoy says Dianna Russini’s resignation from the Athletic makes “zero sense” after the sports journalist’s letter announcing her exit was publicized.
“If we’re just being honest this explanation really makes zero sense. I don’t think anybody should lose their job over alleged canoodling but this statement makes it seem like there was definitely canoodling happening,” the Barstool Sports founder wrote via X Tuesday.
“An innocent canoodler would prob welcome a thorough investigation to prove their innocence and exonerate themselves right? This screams guilty canoodler to me.”
Russini’s resignation letter, addressed to Athletic Executive Editor Steven Ginsberg and sent Tuesday afternoon, comes days after Page Six published photos of her at a luxury hotel with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.
Portnoy first weighed in on the bombshell snaps on Monday, speculating that “something beyond a friendship was happening” between Russini and Vrabel — who are both married to other people.
“They’re both married with kids. So, in that respect, very sad story,” Portnoy, 49, said during his “Wake Up Barstool” sports talk show, claiming that it is nothing but a “personal issue” for the NFL coach.
For Russini, Portnoy admitted it got “dicey” because “you cannot cross the line with your sources.”
He still argued that neither party should lose their jobs over the scandal.
“So maybe she crossed a work line, which will cause her to be terminated. Now she’s not dealing with nuclear codes. She’s not dealing with politicians. It’s football,” he explained.
Russini had been at the Athletic since 2023 and had the title of Senior NFL Insider.
In her resignation letter, the journalist said her decision to resign is because “commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts,” and she wants to stop more damage surrounding the situation.
After her bombshell statement, Ginsberg confirmed Russini’s resignation in a memo to the Athletic staff, noting that “additional information emerged” and “new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.”
Last week, Page Six exclusively obtained photos of Russini and Vrabel holding hands and hugging at the Ambiente in Sedona on March 28.
An eyewitness us that the pair had breakfast on the patio of the hotel restaurant around 10:30 a.m. on March 28 before spending a leisurely hour or so together at the pool and lounging side-by-side in a hot tub.
After the photos surfaced, the Athletic, which the New York Times obtained in 2022, sidelined Russini and launched an investigation into the matter.
Both Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, addressed the photos in statements to Page Six.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response,” Vrabel told us.
Russini also told us, “The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
-
Trending2 weeks agoWho Are Illinois Guard Keaton Wagler’s Parents?
-
Trending2 weeks agoPolice to charge suspect in fatal shooting of infant in Brooklyn
-
Trending2 weeks agoTexas Rangers 2026 Home Opener: How to watch and what to look for
-
Trending1 week agoBill Raftery, college basketball’s poet laureate, calls 2026 Final Four
-
News2 weeks agoIf Life Exists in Venus’ Atmosphere, It Could Have Come From Earth
-
News2 weeks agoAn Aerobot With ISRU Capabilities Could Explore Venus’ Atmosphere for Years
-
News2 weeks ago
Stephen Miller Is Still Pursuing His Immigration Agenda, but More Quietly
-
News2 weeks agoOldest Carbon-rich Stars Open a Window to Early Cosmic Chemistry
