Independent Toronto news, explainers and analysis across politics, business, technology, world and community
Noah Gagnon 
Few actors find themselves sharing a first name with their spouse and a werewolf alter ego, but Taylor Lautner has made both work. Born on February 11, 1992, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he became one of the most recognizable faces of the 2010s before stepping back from the spotlight. Birthdate: February 11, 1992 · Height: 5’10” (1.78 m) … Read more
For millions of fans, Brian May is the man behind the soaring guitar solos of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Will Rock You.” But few realize that the same hands that shaped Queen’s sound also spent years studying interplanetary dust clouds—and recently faced a health scare that made him reassess everything. This page separates the verified … Read more
When Whitney Wolfe Herd walked away from Tinder in 2014, few could have predicted the drama that would follow — a harassment lawsuit, the creation of a female-first dating app, and a billion-dollar fortune that would later shrink. This article connects the dots between her legal battle, the founding of Bumble, the rise and fall … Read more
Few public figures generate as much conversation—or as many conflicting claims—as Candace Owens. The conservative commentator’s journey from viral YouTube clips to a national platform has produced a mix of confirmed facts and still-unverified narratives. This article separates what is documented by official sources from what remains unclear, drawing on records from Britannica, Forbes, and … Read more
A boy who weighed barely 90 pounds at 14 and was told his curved spine might keep him out of the weight room now has 6 million Instagram followers watching him lift. David Laid’s story starts with a scoliosis diagnosis and a decision to train anyway — and turned into one of fitness social media’s … Read more
Halle Berry has spent decades in the spotlight, but some of her most defining moments have unfolded far from the red carpet. Between managing type 1 diabetes, navigating partial hearing loss from an assault, and becoming a mother at 47, her personal story is as layered as any film role. Born: August 14, 1966 (age … Read more
Despite Robert De Niro’s casual announcement of a newborn daughter in 2023, Tiffany Chen — the mother — has kept a remarkably low public profile. Here’s what we actually know about her age, her relationship with De Niro, and their family, as of 2026. Who: Tiffany Chen · Age (2026): 46 years old · Partner: … Read more
If you’ve watched Sullivan’s Crossing and wondered about the actress behind Lola Gunderson, you’re not alone. Born on June 2, 1999, in Oakville, Ontario, Amalia Williamson has built a career across TV dramas, comedy, and directing. This article pieces together her biography, career milestones, and the answers to the most common questions fans ask. Born: … Read more
Few actors have managed to walk away from a thriving on-screen career at the peak of their fame—and then return, almost two decades later, in a slapstick comedy. Sarah Polley did exactly that. Born: January 8, 1979 · Age: 46 (as of 2025) · Academy Awards: 1 (Best Adapted Screenplay for Women Talking) · Notable … Read more
You might know Rob Zombie as the guy who screams “Dragula” through a wall of guitar distortion, or as the director who turned a clown’s nightmare into House of 1000 Corpses. But behind the horror-punk persona is Robert Bartleh Cummings — a man whose career spans two distinct creative worlds, and whose personal choices have … Read more