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Justin Long Explains How the ‘Physicality’ of ‘Goosebumps’ Role Affected Him on November 18, 2023 at 4:00 pm Us Weekly

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Justin Long in ‘Goosebumps.’ Disney/David Astorga

Justin Long has been having a blast on Goosebumps — but his role as English teacher Nathan Bratt has come with some physical challenges.

During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly ahead of the Friday, November 17, season finale, Long, 45, opened up about filming the scenes where his character is possessed by the ghost of teenager Harold Biddle.

“[The show] gave me a lot of freedom to explore the physicality of jumping back and forth between bodies. And it was the first time that I really felt the consequences — the physiological effects of it,” Long explained to Us. “I started seeing a chiropractor in Vancouver [for] pretty regular adjustments. It kind of did finally take a toll on my body.”

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The actor clarified that his extensive filmography also contributed to his health issues, adding, “I don’t think it was this job necessarily. It was just all the other jobs before that I hadn’t been properly stretching and maintaining things. I just wasn’t doing that. I had the arrogance of youth.”

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Goosebumps, which premiered in October, follows five teenagers who must work together after accidentally releasing supernatural forces. Halfway through the first season, the main group ended up locked in Harold’s mind, and Mr. Bratt helped them escape.

Mr. Bratt was eventually able to regain control of his body, but not before Long got to play out the character being thrown against lockers and trying to physically fight his way back. After using his experience as inspiration for a book series, Mr. Bratt made a major mistake by bringing back Slappy the Dummy and resurrecting Kanduu so he would have an ending for his story.

Long has tried to justify Mr. Bratt’s controversial decision, which wreaked havoc on the fictional town of Port Lawrence.

“I like the idea that Harold Biddle — having occupied [Mr. Bratt] for a while — may have rubbed off on him a little bit. Just in terms of being a little bit more reactive and in the last episode making a real deal with the devil kind of thing. I wonder if that was influenced by Harold Biddle and Slappy and all that,” Long noted to Us. “I just tried to create [an explanation], because sometimes if you’re making these [narrative] swings [and] jumping in and out of bodies, then you have to try to justify them and keep track of the logic.”

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For Long, it was interesting to see Mr. Bratt’s reasoning come down to writer’s block gone awry.

Related: Every ‘Goosebumps’ Books Easter Egg Featured in Disney+’s TV Adaptation

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Goosebumps proves that creating a successful TV adaptation is all about incorporating the source material while still putting an original spin on the story. The spooky series, which is streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, is the newest take on R. L. Stine‘s iconic book franchise. Goosebumps follows five teenagers who must work together after accidentally […]

“Having written a few things, that’s always a relatable struggle to not be able to come up with an ending. That was also important, that the stakes [made it] clear that he really wanted this,” he continued. “Being a well-known writer and having this, it was important to him and to his ego and to his sense of purpose. That was to the point where he would dig up this body and that he would go to those lengths.”

During the season finale, viewers saw Mr. Bratt clearly shaken by how his decisions almost led to Kanduu killing all the people in town. Mr. Bratt’s problems, however, are far from over, because he’s now seemingly possessed by Kanduu.

Long, meanwhile, is excited to take on the challenge of playing Mr. Bratt as he is taken over by a much darker force. “It would be fun to explore a totally different character and wrestle with [being taken over] by a much different character,” the actor said. “In this case, [Kanduu] is kind of a real tyrant and a very self-centered person. Whereas I think Harold was more just like a confused and lost teenager.”

Despite Mr. Bratt’s mistakes, Long is thrilled about where the layered character’s story could go from here.

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“I was glad that they took it in that direction. I was also really advocating the exploration of what happens psychologically after you’ve been possessed,” he added. Once you get your body back — I was thinking about this a lot — and there’s a scene in the last episode about somebody struggling with this. How invasive it must feel to not have control of your body and somebody else is in there. I thought it was interesting. It was kind of funny to explore that and I hope it goes in that direction.”

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Although Long didn’t previously read R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books, all it took was a glance at the script to make him want to tell Mr. Bratt’s story.

“Horror in general allows a little bit more freedom to explore and to take some bigger swings with the character. Because this was an adult and then he’s possessed by the spirit of Biddle,” Long told Us. “It was interesting to explore that kind of teen alienation and how easy it was at that age to feel alone and unseen and unheard. Sometimes that can manifest in a really unhealthy way.

He concluded: “But really, it was fun playing a teenager. I love youthful characters, but this was different. I got to really explore both the limitations of being a teenager and the freedom of it.”

All episodes of Goosebumps season 1 are now available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu.

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Justin Long has been having a blast on Goosebumps — but his role as English teacher Nathan Bratt has come with some physical challenges. During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly ahead of the Friday, November 17, season finale, Long, 45, opened up about filming the scenes where his character is possessed by the ghost 

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Entertainment

Mother’s Day AfroFun Praise Party: Gospel Dance, Fitness & Feel‑Good Stats in 60 Minutes

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This Mother’s Day in Spring, Texas, you’re invited to do more than just sit at brunch—come dance, sweat, and celebrate at the Mother’s Day AfroFun Praise Party: Gospel Dance, Fitness & Feel‑Good Stats in 60 Minutes. This one‑hour Afrobeat gospel dance class is for men and women, bringing live worship, high‑energy choreography, and real fitness benefits together in one unforgettable experience.

Shawna Pat Official Music Video

Live gospel + Afrobeat energy

On the mic is powerhouse gospel singer Shawna Pat, known for her heartfelt worship, energetic praise songs, and ministry that makes every room feel like church and concert at the same time. She’ll be leading live vocals all class long, turning each track into a moment to sing along, shout, or just soak in the presence while you move.

On the floor, Andrew from WoWo Boyz and the Kingdrewwskyy crew bring the Afrobeat power. Expect easy‑to‑follow, Afro‑inspired choreography that looks hype on video but still feels doable if you’re brand new to dance. Together, Shawna and Andrew create a “praise party meets fitness class” vibe you can’t get from a playlist or a regular gym session.

A co‑ed Mother’s Day celebration that counts

This event is built for men and women—moms, dads, sons, daughters, couples, and friends who want to honor the mothers in their lives while doing something healthy and fun. The format is simple: warm‑up, dance‑cardio, a short ministry moment focused on mothers and families, and a cool‑down to breathe and stretch it out.

All levels are welcome. If you can walk and two‑step, you can do this class. You choose your intensity: go all‑in with every jump or keep it low‑impact and still stay in the groove. The music is clean and faith‑filled, so you never have to worry about lyrics or the vibe if you’re inviting church friends or bringing teens.

The feel‑good fitness stats

Behind the fun, this one hour delivers real health wins. Health guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate‑intensity cardio per week, but less than half of adults hit that number. AfroFun helps close that gap—by making movement feel like a celebration instead of a chore.

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In just 60 minutes, many people can:

  • Hit 4,000–6,000+ steps, based on what similar dance‑fitness and Mother’s Day cardio sessions log in under an hour.
  • Spend solid time in their heart‑healthy zone, where cardio actually strengthens the heart and builds endurance.
  • Knock out a big chunk of their weekly 150‑minute cardio goal in one fun, faith‑filled session.

You walk out with more than photos and memories—you leave with better numbers for your heart, body, and mood.

Get your tickets

AfroFun Praise Party happens Sunday, May 10, 4–5 PM at 2400 FM 2920, Spring, TX 77388, with free parking and in‑person, high‑energy vibes. Tickets are limited, and early spots always move fastest once people see Shawna Pat and WoWo Boyz are in the building.

🎟️ Grab your tickets now on Eventbrite for the Mother’s Day AfroFun Praise Party and lock in your spot before it sells out.

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How Far Would You Go to Book Your Dream Role?

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The question Sydney Sweeney’s career forces every serious artist to ask themselves.


Most people say they want to be an actor. But wanting the life and being willing to do what the life requires are two entirely different things. Sydney Sweeney’s performance as Cassie Howard in Euphoria is one of the clearest examples in recent television of what it actually looks like when an artist refuses to protect themselves from the story they are telling.


The Performance That Started a Conversation

Cassie Howard is not a comfortable character to watch. She is messy, desperate, and heartbreakingly human in ways that most scripts would have softened or simplified. Sydney Sweeney did not soften her. She played every scene at full exposure — the breakdowns, the humiliation, the moments where Cassie is both completely wrong and completely understandable at the same time.

What made the performance remarkable was not the difficulty of the scenes. It was the consistency of her commitment to them. Night after night on set, take after take, she showed up and gave the camera something real. That is not a small thing. That is the kind of discipline that separates working actors from generational ones.

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What the Industry Does Not Tell You

The entertainment industry sells you a version of success built around talent, timing, and luck. And while all three matter, none of them are the real differentiator in a room full of equally talented people. The real differentiator is willingness — the willingness to be honest, to be vulnerable, and to let the work require something personal from you.

Most actors hit a wall at some point in their career where a role demands more than they have publicly shown before. The ones who say yes to that moment, who trust the material and the director enough to go somewhere uncomfortable, are the ones audiences remember long after the credits roll.

Sydney Sweeney said yes repeatedly. And the industry took notice.


The Question Worth Asking Yourself

Before you answer, really think about it. There is a moment in every serious audition room where someone might ask you to go further than you are comfortable with — to access something real, to stop performing and start revealing. In that moment, you have to decide what your dream is actually worth to you and, more importantly, what parts of yourself you are not willing to trade for it.

That is the question Euphoria quietly raises for anyone watching with ambition in their chest. Not “could I do that,” but “should I ever feel pressured to.” There is a difference between an artist who chooses vulnerability as a creative tool and one who is pressured into exposure they never agreed to. Knowing that difference is not a weakness. It is the most important thing a young actor can understand before they walk into a room that will test it.

Because the only role that truly costs too much is the one that asks you to abandon who you are to play it.

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What You Can Take From This

Whether you are an actor, a filmmaker, a content creator, or someone simply building something from scratch, the principle is the same. The work that connects with people is almost always the work that cost the creator something real. Audiences can feel the difference between performance and truth. They always could.

Sydney Sweeney did not become one of the most talked-about actresses of her generation because she got lucky. She got there because she was willing to be completely, uncomfortably human in front of a camera — and because she knew exactly who she was before she let the role take over.

That combination — full commitment and a clear sense of self — is rarer than talent. And it is the thing worth chasing.


Written for Bolanle Media | Entertainment. Culture. Conversation.


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Entertainment

Bieber’s Coachella Set Has Everyone Arguing Again

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And honestly? That might be exactly what he wanted.

Justin Bieber stepped onto the Coachella stage Saturday night as the highest-paid headliner in the festival’s history — reportedly pocketing $10 million — and proceeded to sit down at a laptop and play YouTube videos.

The internet, predictably, lost its mind.


What Actually Happened

This was Bieber’s first major U.S. performance since his Justice era — a long-awaited comeback after battling Ramsay Hunt syndrome in 2022, which caused partial facial paralysis, plus years of mental health struggles and a very public disappearing act from the industry.

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The stage setup was minimal: a fluid cocoon-like structure, no backup dancers, no elaborate lighting rigs. Just Bieber, a stool, and a laptop.

He opened with tracks from his 2025 albums Swag and Swag II, then invited the crowd on a journey — “How far back do you go?”

What followed was a nostalgic scroll through his entire career: old YouTube covers before he was famous, classic hits Baby and Never Say Never playing on screen while he sang alongside his younger self. Guests including The Kid Laroi, Wizkid, and Tems joined him throughout the night.

He even played his viral “Standing on Business” paparazzi rant and re-enacted it live, hoodie on, completely unbothered.

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The Moment Nobody Predicted

But here’s what the critics burying him in their hot takes chose not to lead with: Bieber closed his set with worship music.

In the middle of Coachella — one of the most secular stages on the planet — he performed songs rooted in his Christian faith, openly crediting Jesus as the reason he was standing on that stage at all.

It wasn’t subtle. It wasn’t a quick prayer and a thank-you. He leaned into it fully, in front of a crowd of 125,000 people who came expecting pop bangers and got a testimony instead.

For fans who have followed his faith journey — his deep involvement with Hillsong and later Churchome, his baptism in 2014, and his very public declaration that Jesus saved his life during his darkest years — the moment landed like a full-circle miracle.


Why People Are Mad

Critics have been brutal.

Zara Larsson summed up the skeptics perfectly, posting on TikTok: It’s giving let’s smoke and watch YouTube — and that clip went just as viral as the performance itself.

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One fan on X wrote: I’m crying, this might actually be the worst performance I’ve ever seen. He’s just playing videos from YouTube… zero effort, pure laziness.”

The comparison to Sabrina Carpenter’s Friday headlining set — elaborate staging, multiple costume changes, celebrity cameos — only made Bieber’s stripped-down show look more controversial.

And the $10 million figure kept coming up. People felt cheated.


Why His Fans Think Everyone’s Missing the Point

Here’s where it gets interesting.

One commenter on X put it best: “He did not force a high-production machine that could burn him out again. Instead, he sat with his past, scrolling through old YouTube videos, duetting with his younger self, and mixing nostalgia with new chapters.”

As the set progressed, Bieber visibly opened up. He removed his sunglasses. He took off his hoodie. He smiled, made jokes about falling through a stage as a teenager.

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One Instagram account with millions of followers posted: This Justin Bieber performance healed something in me.”

That healing language is intentional for Bieber — it mirrors how he talks about his faith. In interviews, he has repeatedly said Jesus didn’t just save his career; He saved his life. The worship set at Coachella wasn’t a gimmick. It was a confession.

The Hollywood Reporter noted the performance also sparked a broader debate about double standards — whether a female artist could ever get away with the same low-key approach without being completely destroyed.


The Bigger Picture

Love it or hate it, Bieber’s Coachella set is the most talked-about moment from Weekend One — more than Karol G making history as the first Latina to headline the festival, more than Sabrina Carpenter’s spectacle.

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That’s not an accident.

In an era where every headliner tries to out-produce the last one, Bieber walked out with a laptop, a stool, and his faith — and made it personal. For millions of fans watching, the worship songs weren’t filler. They were the point.

Whether you call it lazy or legendary, one thing is clear: Justin Bieber isn’t performing for the critics anymore. He’s performing for an audience of One — and the rest of us just happened to be there.


Drop your take in the comments — was Bieber’s Coachella set lazy, legendary, or something even bigger?

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