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Inside Tom Cruise’s incredible £32m super yacht as he holidays in Cornwall after break from Mission Impossible filming

• Fay Leyfield
• Published : 13:08 ET, Jul 22 2021
• Updated : 2:18 ET, Jul 23 2021
• Published : Invalid Date,

HOLLYWOOD superstar Tom Cruise is staying aboard an incredible £32million super yacht as he holidays in Cornwall.

The 59-year-old’s incredible vessel - called the Triple Seven - was spotted sailing into the bay at Penzance last night as the actor travels around the stunning coastline.

Tom is currently enjoying a break from shooting the latest Mission Impossible film at the Warner Bros Studios in Hertfordshire, and on location around the UK.

The 68 metre yacht can host up to 12 people, as well as 17 crew members to wait on his every need.

It features a huge waterslide, a jacuzzi and various outdoor dining spaces, depending on where Tom fancies his dinner. 

It is tastefully decorated inside with cream interiors and an impressively sized master bedroom.

Last month The Sun revealed that filming on the seventh installment of the film had ground to a halt once again after someone on set tested positive for coronavirus. 

Some people pointed their fingers at the leading man himself, claiming they hadn’t seen him on set since. 

An insider said: “Filming on Mission Impossible 7 is on hold again because of coronavirus. And this time, those working on the production have said they think Tom could be the possible cause of the postponement.

“Everyone on the set was told that filming was being stopped again because of a positive test. And since then, Tom hasn’t been on set once.

“Now people are speculating that he could have come into contact with the person who tested positive. And in some cases, people are even gossiping and saying it could be him.

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“Obviously there is no proof of that but it’s not stopped people ­gossiping about it. It’s now become a joke on set, with people saying how ironic it would be if Tom was the reason they had to press pause again.”

In December, The Sun released an audio re­cord­ing of Tom, who plays spy Ethan Hunt in the franchise, giving workers at the set in Leavesden, Herts, the hairdryer treatment over Covid.

In an impassioned speech Tom pleaded with those on the production to stick within the rules to avoid further hold-ups.

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Top Gun: Maverick Finally Showcases The New J/125 Sailing Yacht

The long-awaited trailer for Top Gun: Maverick was released this week, giving fans a first look at the long-awaited sequel to the beloved 1980s blockbuster. One of the most highly anticipated scenes in the trailer is the sailing yacht scene, which features Tom Cruise and Jennifer Connolly.

It's no surprise that the scene was filmed on a J/125 sailing yacht, as the J/Boats shipyard is known for its high-performance racing yachts. The J/125 is a popular model among racing sailors and has been featured in several major films and TV shows.

This article takes a closer look at the Top Gun: Maverick sailing yacht scene and the J/125 yacht that was used in the filming.

What made the Top Gun: Maverick sailing yacht scene so iconic?

The sailing yacht scene in Top Gun: Maverick is one of the most iconic scenes in the movie. It's a beautiful, serene moment that starkly contrasts with the rest of the film, which is full of high-octane action and adventure.

But what makes this scene so iconic? Is it the beautiful location? The amazing cinematography? The fact that it's such a change of pace from the rest of the movie?

We believe it's all of these factors and more. The sailing yacht scene in Top Gun: Maverick is an iconic scene because it's a perfect example of how to use all the elements of cinema to create a truly memorable moment.

The J/125 sailing yacht that was used in the filming of Top Gun: Maverick.

The J/125 sailing yacht is a state-of-the-art vessel that was used in the filming of the 2020 movie Top Gun: Maverick. The yacht, which businessman John Pompa owns, was featured in a key scene in the film where it is seen sailing past the Golden Gate Bridge.  

The J/125 is a high-performance sailing yacht that is designed for long-distance cruising. It is equipped with a variety of features that make it ideal for sailing in rough conditions, such as a keel-stepped mast and a carbon fiber hull. The yacht also has a large onboard water tank that allows it to go for long periods of time without having to stop for fresh water.

How the J/125 yacht helped make the scene of Top Gun: Maverik so memorable.

In the film Top Gun: Maverick, the J/125 yacht plays a pivotal role in the iconic beach scene with Tom Cruise and Jennifer Connolly. The yacht, which is owned by Connolly's character, is central to the scene in which Cruise's character meets Connolly's.

The J/125 is a popular yacht among filmmakers due to its sleek design and its ability to turn on a dime. This makes it perfect for action scenes like the one in Top Gun: Maverick.

But the J/125 isn't just a pretty face. It's also a highly functional yacht that can accommodate several guests. This makes it perfect for entertaining.

Why the J/125 yacht is the perfect choice for a sailing adventure?

The J/125 yacht is the perfect choice for those looking for an exceptional sailing experience. This amazing yacht offers superb performance, unmatched comfort, and stunning good looks. Here are just a few of the reasons why the J/125 is the ideal choice for your next sailing adventure.

The J/125's extraordinary stability index of 143 degrees, with a stability curve ratio of positive to negative areas of 12.5:1, is what creates a sense of solidity and power when sailing it. This greater stability is paired with a balanced hull-form that has the right amount of reserve buoyancy forward. This makes the J/125 capable of safer and more controllable high-speed planing offshore in large waves. Also, the average helmsperson can maintain peak performance for sustained periods of time because the hull-form provides a wider steering groove upwind.

The J/125 is manufactured to ABS offshore standards by TPI Composites using the SCRIMP resin-infusion process. The US Naval Surface Warfare Center at Carderock, MD found that the properties of laminates created by TPI's patented SCRIMP resin-infusion process are better than the low-energy pre-pregs used by many custom boat shops--they're even twice as strong as hand lay-ups.

J/125 weighs in at 2700 pounds, which is 1500-2500 pounds lighter than its competitor designs, after subtracting the weight of the keel and adding 1000 pounds for the rig, engine, and hardware. This is not only due to the J/125's narrower beam. The Hull & Deck Laminate Design of the J/125 is stronger for its weight than E-Glass/epoxy laminates using slit CoreCell foam. J/125 uses epoxy with a combination Kevlar & E-Glass for the outer skin with two layers of carbon fiber (bi-axial & unidirectional) for the inner skin. The elevated strength of these exotic materials allows for a thinner, lighter skin than the equivalent E-Glass structure.

It's no surprise that the scene was filmed on a J/125 sailing yacht, as the J/Boats shipyard is known for its high-performance racing yachts. The J/125 is a popular model among racing sailors and has been featured in several major films and TV shows. In fact, the J/125 was also used in the film The World's End, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The J/125 is the perfect boat for cruising or racing, and it's no wonder that it was chosen for the Top Gun: Maverick film.

If you're looking for a high-performance sailing yacht, the J/125 is a perfect choice. Whether you're interested in racing or cruising, the J/125 will provide you with an amazing experience.

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Inside Tom Cruise’s incredible £32m super yacht as he holidays in Cornwall after break from Mission Impossible filming

• Fay Leyfield
• Published : 15:25, 22 Jul 2021
• Updated : 7:18, 23 Jul 2021
• Published : Invalid Date,

HOLLYWOOD superstar Tom Cruise is staying aboard an incredible £32million super yacht as he holidays in Cornwall.

The 59-year-old’s incredible vessel - called the Triple Seven - was spotted sailing into the bay at Penzance last night as the actor travels around the stunning coastline.

Tom is currently enjoying a break from shooting the latest Mission Impossible film at the Warner Bros Studios in Hertfordshire, and on location around the UK.

The 68 metre yacht can host up to 12 people, as well as 17 crew members to wait on his every need.

It features a huge waterslide, a jacuzzi and various outdoor dining spaces, depending on where Tom fancies his dinner. 

It is tastefully decorated inside with cream interiors and an impressively sized master bedroom.

Last month The Sun revealed that filming on the seventh installment of the film had ground to a halt once again after someone on set tested positive for coronavirus. 

Some people pointed their fingers at the leading man himself, claiming they hadn’t seen him on set since. 

An insider said: “Filming on Mission Impossible 7 is on hold again because of coronavirus . And this time, those working on the production have said they think Tom could be the possible cause of the postponement.

“Everyone on the set was told that filming was being stopped again because of a positive test. And since then, Tom hasn’t been on set once.

“Now people are speculating that he could have come into contact with the person who tested positive. And in some cases, people are even gossiping and saying it could be him.

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“Obviously there is no proof of that but it’s not stopped people ­gossiping about it. It’s now become a joke on set, with people saying how ironic it would be if Tom was the reason they had to press pause again.”

In December, The Sun released an audio re­cord­ing of Tom , who plays spy Ethan Hunt in the franchise, giving workers at the set in Leavesden, Herts, the hairdryer treatment over Covid.

In an impassioned speech Tom pleaded with those on the production to stick within the rules to avoid further hold-ups.

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Inside Tom Cruise's incredible £32M motor yacht holiday in Cornwall: Actor is living the high life on 68m vessel which comes with a giant water slide

• Tom Cruise, 59, is thought to be holidaying on an incredible £32million super yacht in Cornwall, UK
• The stunning 223ft vessel - named Triple Seven - was spotted in the harbour of Penzance on Thursday
• Triple Seven can be chartered for £460,573 per-week, and was last on the market for around £38,000,000 
• The 223ft motor yacht boasts sleek and neutral interior, including a plush living space fit for any A-list actor 

By Charlotte Dean For Mailonline

Published: 12:13 EDT, 22 July 2021 | Updated: 04:54 EDT, 23 July 2021

View comments

He is currently enjoying some downtime in the UK and has been spotted at several prestigious events including Wimbledon, the Silverstone Grand Prix and the Euros 2020 final at Wembley.

And  Tom Cruise is certainly taking his time off in style, as he is thought to be holidaying on an incredible £32million super yacht in Cornwall.

The stunning vessel - named Triple Seven - was spotted in the harbour of Penzance on Thursday morning, hours after Cruise, 59, was seen boarding the boat in Mevagissey on Wednesday.

Wow! Tom Cruise certainly took his time off in style, as he is thought to be holidaying on an incredible £32M super yacht in Cornwall

 According to  Cornwall Live , Cruise was brought to shore by Triple Seven in the early hours of the morning, before being 'whisked away' in a chaffeur-driven black Mercedes.

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The local publication also reported that a 'silhouetted figure' could be seen on deck at sunrise, however they were unable to confirm whether it was the actor himself.    

As well as filming MI:7 in the UK, Cruise's appearance comes after a film crew moved into a quarry in Wiltshire, with many residents spotting A-list celebs in the area.

What a beauty! The stunning vessel - named Triple Seven - was spotted in the harbour of Penzance on Thursday morning, hours after Cruise, 59, was seen boarding the boat in Mevagissey on Wednesday

Triple Seven can be chartered for an eye-watering fee of £460,573 per-week, and was last known to be on the market for around £38,000,000 - before being sold recently to an anonymous buyer. 

Facilities on board include a deck jacuazzi, a gym, a sun deck and swimming platform. The boat also has the capacity to host an inflatable waterslide and carries jet skis, kayaks, wakeboards and jet skis for guests to enjoy.

Chartered: Cruise is believed to be currently staying on the boat

The 223ft motor yacht boasts sleek and neutral interior, including a plush living space fit for any A-list actor, boasting white sofas and a floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the sea views.

In the master suite the stylish and compatary decor - which is believed to have been updated in 2014 - continues, with a huge bed covered in white bed linen and a beige leather chaise longues.

The boat sleeps up to 10 guests in five different rooms, including the stunning master suite, three double cabins, one twin cabin and two pullman beds (a bed that pulls down from the ceiling or folds out from the wall).

The outside living space is just as enivable, judging by the spacious hot tub which is submerged into the decking on the back of the luxurious yacht.

Tom has spent much of the last year in the UK filming the seventh installment of the Mission Impossible franchise and has been pictured filming action-packed scenes in the Yorkshire Moors in recent months.

During his downtime, the screen star has also been pictured at several big events including Wimbledon and the Silverstone Grand Prix. 

He was also seen mingling with David Beckham at Wembley Stadium for the Euro 2020 final.

Last month, Mission: Impossible 7 filming has reportedly been paused again due to a positive Covid test with crew members speculating it could be Cruise.

Despite there being 'no proof' to back up the idle talk, it has been claimed that people are gossiping it could be Tom, due to his alleged absence on set.

A source told The Sun: 'Filming on Mission Impossible 7 is on hold again because of coronavirus. And this time, those working on the production have said they think Tom could be the possible cause of the postponement.

Glam: In the master suite the stylish and compatary decor - which is believed to have been updated in 2016 - continues, with a huge bed covered in white bed linen and a beige leather chaise longues

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'Everyone on the set was told that filming was being stopped again because of a positive test. And since then, Tom hasn't been on set once.

'Now people are speculating that he could have come into contact with the person who tested positive. And in some cases, people are even gossiping and saying it could be him.'

Impossible film representatives for comment.

INSIDE TRIPLE SEVEN 

• Built by German shipyard in 2006, Triple Seven underwent a maintenance refit in 2016.
• Triple Seven can host 10 guests within her five staterooms, cared for by a crew of 17. 
• She is fully kitted-out with a waterslide, jacuzzi, multiple alfresco dining areas and a lavish interior.
• Triple Seven travels at a maximum speed of 17 knots and cruising at 14 knots thanks to her twin diesel engines.
• The vessel's last-known asking price was €38,000,000.

It is not known whether Tom has received the Covid vaccine or not, although despite being proven to dramatically cut the risk of coronavirus, none of the jabs approved in Britain are 100 per cent effective.

It means some vaccinated people will inevitably get infected without having any symptoms, leaving them unaware they are infected and contagious — unless they get tested. 

In March, it was reported that Tom had  surprised NHS staff to thank them for working though the coronavirus pandemic.

The movie star is thought to have secretly visited the ExCel Centre in East London to 'pay personal tribute to frontline health staff'. 

A source told The Sun at the time: 'He told his team he wanted to pay his personal tribute to frontline health staff who have helped get movies back on track. 

'They were really shocked to see such a huge movie star. Tom wanted to keep it a secret and ensure it was a nice surprise for them.

'The world had heard his rant at crew on set and that proved just how seriously he has taken the pandemic.'

MailOnline contacted representatives for Tom Cruise and the ExCel Centre for further comment at the time. 

The ExCel Centre is a major vaccine centre with another part of the site being used for the NHS Nightingale Hospital's patient rehabilitation facility. 

Elsewhere it was claimed that Tom was reportedly in a rush to finish filming Mission: Impossible 7 in only three weeks. 

Thanks to several delays to the shooting schedule brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, there was said to be only 21 days left to get the film completed.

What a life: The outside living space is just as enivable, judging by the spacious hot tub which is submerged into the decking on the back of the luxurious yacht

A source told The Sun : 'Mission: Impossible has been hit by so many delays, there is now a huge pressure to finish on time.

'Tom and the team are tearing their hair out. Some of the crew are agency contractors and are already booked to move on to new projects.

'Without them, Tom will be left scratching around for replacements. And if that wasn't enough, he has his own scheduling conflicts.'

The source added that as Top Gun 2 is released in November, Tom will have to begin promotional work for the movie soon.

While the majority of the next Mission: Impossible is already filmed, there was said to be one final big scene to do that involved a speeding train being driven over the edge of a cliff.

MailOnline contacted a representative for Tom Cruise for comment at the time. 

Delays: Thanks to several delays to the shooting schedule brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, there was said to be only 21 days left to get the film completed (pictured in October) 

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Triple Seven Yacht, the one chosen by Tom Cruise

Triple Seven: one of the most expensive yachts in the world, and is the one chosen by Tom Cruise for the summer

A few days ago anchored in the British port of Penzance, the Triple Seven , the actor Tom Cruise was enjoying all the luxuries that are on board to rest.

Owned by magnate Roman Abramovich , owner of Chelsea Football Club, the boat is rented at a price of 537,000 euros per week.

The boat has an estimated price of 37 million euros, although it can also be rented for 537,000 euros a week.

The yacht is 68 meters long and was manufactured by the German shipping company Nobiskrug .

The Triple Seven has the capacity to receive up to 12 guests. She also has a crew of 18 members to attend to the guests.

She on board she has numerous open spaces, while the interior is equipped with comforts of the highest level and accompanied by a minimalist decoration.

There are also several spaces to enjoy, such as a jacuzzi, gym, bar and solarium. She also carries jet skis, kayaks, wakeboards, and an inflatable slide on board.

Her name is due to the fact that 777 is considered the lucky number in Germany where she was built She has 7 bulletproof windows, 7 engravings that adorn the floating spiral staircase in the center of the yacht.

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VIDEO: Top Gun: Maverick sailboat scene

Published on May 26th, 2022 by Editor -->

As Scuttlebutt HQ is located in San Diego, CA, this is very much a military town which proved to be a good backdrop for filming the Top Gun movie released in 1986. But the local locations weren’t limited to just the Navy bases for that movie, which is also the case for the sequel Top Gun: Maverick that gets released on May 27, 2022.

However, when they sought out San Diego Bay to film an action scene, nobody told them about the region’s light winds. “We filmed that sequence twice. We filmed it the first time in San Diego, and it was very beautiful,” describes actress Jennifer Connelly. “We got lovely shots, and there were even dolphins swimming alongside us. But Tom (Cruise) said, ‘No, this isn’t fast enough’.”

For the second attempt, somebody did their research and they went to San Francisco where Connelly and Cruise get a real taste of high wind sailing on a J/125.

“It was a very distracting environment,” said Connelly. “It was incredibly windy, with big waves. The boat was at an impossible angle, moving so fast, and we had to play the scene at the same time. I was so paranoid that I was going to forget something with all those distractions. I found myself standing on the coffee table in my living room, practicing with my kids spraying water at me and blowing on me while I ran my lines.”

Connelly shared the story on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and while Cruise is known for doing his own movie stunts, Connelly was pretty stoked to have taken on the role of a sailor. “I love it, it was great, it was amazing,” she said of the experience. “I was taking lessons to prepare for the role, starting in the New York harbor. Kind of like learning how to drive on the Autobahn.”

Tags: Jennifer Connelly , sailing movie , Top Gun

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Edinburgh docked Tom Cruise superyacht pictured with lucky guests on board

The Mission Impossible star chartered the 68-metre vessel for a holiday from filming, but crowds were left disappointed not to catch a glimpse of the Hollywood actor in Leith.

• 15:32, 18 AUG 2021

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Tom Cruise was nowhere to be seen despite the Hollywood star’s £33 million yacht arriving in Leith .

The Mission Impossible actor was said to be taking a break from filming the seventh instalment of the franchise in Hertfordshire by sailing around the East Coast of Scotland on the opulent Triple Seven.

Crowds gathered at Ocean Terminal to catch a glimpse of the massive boat after it docked, but fans were to be left disappointed as the 59-year-old was no longer on board.

READ MORE - 'Entitled' mum swore at plane passenger who refused to entertain her son

Instead, mystery guests were whisked away in a blacked out Mercedes people carrier after crew members had given the vessel a clean.

Cruise had previously chartered the yacht to sail around Cornwall during time off from filming.

It arrived in Leith at around 10:15pm on Tuesday evening having left Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands last week.

Triple Seven was built by German shipyard Nobiskrug in 2006, and underwent a maintenance refit in 2016.

The 68-metre boat can host 12 guests within her six staterooms, cared for by a crew of 17. She is fully kitted-out with a water slide, jacuzzi, multiple alfresco dining areas and a lavish interior.

The yacht has a whole host of impressive features including a wake board, knee board, fishing equipment, kite surfers, surf-skis, jet skis, stand-up paddleboards, and an inflatable water park - amongst a host of other toys.

Estimates put Cruise's wealth at around $600 million - which is just as well as the superyacht can be chartered for an eye-watering fee of £460,573 per-week.

It was previously owned Russian billionaire steel magnate Alexander Abramov but is believed to have been sold to an anonymous buyer in recent years.

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Tom Cruise's luxury £32m superyacht as he enjoys sailing getaway in Cornwall

Tom Cruise was reportedly spotted stepping off an enormous yacht in Cornwall while he takes a break from filming the latest Mission Impossible movie

• 09:56, 23 Jul 2021
• Updated 09:58, 23 Jul 2021

Hollywood star Tom Cruise's mega-yacht was reportedly spotted sailing around the Cornish coast as the actor enjoyed a break from filming Mission Impossible.

The 59-year-old actor, who is currently in the UK filming the latest instalment of the action saga, is making the most of the scorching British weather as he stayed aboard a yacht called the Triple Seven, which is said to be worth millions.

The enormous 65-metre vessel reportedly costs around £32 million and boasts 17 crew members and a host of exciting toys such as a huge slide and jet skis. There is even kite surfing equipment and stand-up paddleboards on the incredible yacht should Tom fancy even more adventure.

Onboard, there is also a jacuzzi and lots of gorgeous outdoor eating areas as well as several luxurious bedrooms to relax in. Inside the vessel, there are cream interiors and a stunning lounge area with sofas and pillows.

Although it is unclear who had joined Tom on the yacht, the vessel has enough space for 12 guests.

According to Cornwall Live , the actor was spotted on the yacht before stepping onto the shore and jumping into a Mercedes with blacked-out windows.

Tom has been hard at work in the UK where he has been filming lots of dramatic scenes that will form part of Mission Impossible.

He has also been spotted at lots of high-profile events in the country including Wimbledon and the Euros.

Mission Impossible 7 and 8 are being filmed back to back but unfortunately have faced major delays due to the ongoing global pandemic as the movies attempt to film scenes around the world.

In the latest setback, last month's filming was thrown into disarray when a crew member on set tested positive for Covid-19.

It meant that filming had to be halted for safety reasons.

An insider speaking to The Sun said at the time explained: "Filming on Mission Impossible 7 is on hold again because of coronavirus . And this time, those working on the production have said they think Tom could be the possible cause of the postponement.

The source added: “Everyone on the set was told that filming was being stopped again because of a positive test. And since then, Tom hasn’t been on set once."

It also came seven months after Tom was recorded furiously screaming at crew members and accusing them of jeopardizing the film industry after they failed to adhere to strict Covid health and safety rules.

Despite the setbacks, it is understood that Tom is desperate to get filming completed on time as the film industry struggles to bounce back from several lockdowns.

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Top Gun: Maverick

The story involves Maverick confronting his past while training a group of younger Top Gun graduates, including the son of his deceased best friend, for a dangerous mission. The story involves Maverick confronting his past while training a group of younger Top Gun graduates, including the son of his deceased best friend, for a dangerous mission. The story involves Maverick confronting his past while training a group of younger Top Gun graduates, including the son of his deceased best friend, for a dangerous mission.

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• Trivia At the insistence of Tom Cruise , minimal green screen and CGI aerial shots exist in the film, and even the close up cockpit shots were taken during real in-flight sequences. This meant that much of the cast had to undergo extensive G-force training sessions to withstand the physical demands of G-force pressures during flights.
• Goofs At 1h12'10" Coyote is in G-LOC, releases the stick and his aircraft falls towards the ground. Super-hornet are equipped with auto GCAS (automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System), which would react to the situation and take control to climb and level at a safe altitude with no obstacles.

Rear Admiral : Maverick. Thirty-plus years of service. Combat medals. Citations. Only man to shoot down three enemy planes in the last 40 years.

[Cain looks through pages of Maverick's records]

Rear Admiral : 'Distinguished.' 'Distinguished.' 'Distinguished.' Yet you can't get a promotion, you won't retire, and, despite your best efforts, you refuse to die. You should be at least a two-star admiral by now, if not a senator. Yet here you are: Captain. Why is that?

Maverick : It's one of life's mysteries, sir.

Rear Admiral : This isn't a joke. I asked you a question.

Maverick : I'm where I belong, sir.

Rear Admiral : Well, the navy doesn't see it that way. Not anymore.

Rear Admiral : These planes you've been testing, Captain, one day, sooner or later, they won't need pilots at all. Pilots that need to sleep, eat, take a piss. Pilots that disobey orders. All you did was buy some time for those men out there. The future is coming, and you're not in it.

[Cain faces the officer by the door]

Rear Admiral : Escort this man off the base. Take him to his quarters. Wait with him while he packs his gear. I want him on the road to North Island within the hour.

[surprised look on Maverick's face]

Maverick : North Island, sir?

Rear Admiral : Call came in with impeccable timing, right as I was driving here to ground your ass once and for all. It galls me to say it, but... for reasons known only to the Almighty and your guardian angel, you've been called back to Top Gun.

Maverick : Sir?

Rear Admiral : You are dismissed, Captain.

[Maverick proceeds to leave Cain's office]

Rear Admiral : The end is inevitable, Maverick. Your kind is headed for extinction.

[Maverick turns around]

Maverick : Maybe so, sir. But not today.

• Crazy credits "Top Gun 001: Tom Cruise" is listed among the other pilots who worked on the film.
• Connections Featured in Conan: Tom Cruise (2019)
• Soundtracks Danger Zone From Top Gun (1986) Original Soundtrack Written by Giorgio Moroder & Tom Whitlock Performed by Kenny Loggins Courtesy of Columbia Records By arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment

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• May 24, 2022
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• May 27, 2022 (United States)
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• Eldorado National Forest, California, USA (Forested mountain aircraft staging area)
• Paramount Pictures
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• $170,000,000 (estimated)
• $718,732,821
• $126,707,459
• May 29, 2022
• $1,495,696,292

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• Runtime 2 hours 10 minutes
• Dolby Atmos
• IMAX 6-Track
• 12-Track Digital Sound

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Inside Triple Seven superyacht ‘rented by Tom Cruise’ as stunning £33m boat tours Scotland

• Blair Meikle
• Published : 10:49, 16 Aug 2021
• Updated : 10:49, 16 Aug 2021

TOM Cruise's luxury superyacht has been seen touring Scotland.

We told two weeks ago how the £33m Triple Seven was in Greenock after being rented by the Hollywood superstar.

It has now been spotted off the cost of Fife, passing Anstruther yesterday.

Now, these stunning pics show inside the plush vessel, which Cruise had been staying on took a break from Mission Impossible filming.

It's not clear if the 59-year-actor is still on the boat.

The 68 metre yacht can host up to 12 people, as well as 17 crew members to wait on his every need.

It features a huge waterslide, a jacuzzi and various outdoor dining spaces, depending on where Tom fancies his dinner.

It is tastefully decorated inside with cream interiors and an impressively sized master bedroom.

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The £32million superyacht can be chartered for an eye-watering fee of £460,573 per-week.

It was owned by Russian billionaire  Alexander Abramov  but is believed to have been sold to an anonymous buyer.

It's not the only superyacht to have been exploring Scottish stores in recent times, with the £60m Ragnar sparking excitement among Oban locals.

The 223ft boat caught the eye after being docked at the bay in Oban, sailing under the flag of Malta.

Luxury Ragnar superyacht worth £60m with helipad, jacuzzi & pool spotted in Oban

The impressive vessel is believed to be owned by Russian millionaire Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, a former KGB agent, but is up for sale, or can also be rented out at £382,000 per week.

The businessman, worth £300m, bought it for £69.5m.

In June, The Sun revealed that filming on the seventh installment of Mission Impossible had ground to a halt once again after someone on  set tested positive for coronavirus.

Some people pointed their fingers at the leading man himself, claiming they hadn’t seen him on set since.

An insider said: “Filming on Mission Impossible 7 is on hold again because of coronavirus. And this time, those working on the production have said they think Tom could be the possible cause of the postponement.

“Everyone on the set was told that filming was being stopped again because of a positive test. And since then, Tom hasn’t been on set once.

“Now people are speculating that he could have come into contact with the person who tested positive. And in some cases, people are even gossiping and saying it could be him.

“Obviously there is no proof of that but it’s not stopped people ­gossiping about it. It’s now become a joke on set, with people saying how ironic it would be if Tom was the reason they had to press pause again.”

Read more on the Scottish Sun

Bank of Scotland to close MORE branches - check if your local is affected

In December, The Sun released an audio re­cord­ing of Tom, who plays spy Ethan Hunt in the franchise, giving workers at the set in Leavesden, Herts, the hairdryer treatment over Covid.

In an impassioned speech Tom pleaded with those on the production to stick within the rules to avoid further hold-ups.

We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at [email protected] or call 0141 420 5300

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Tom Joyner Foundation

Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage Cruise

November 7, 2019 by KC Burks

The Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage was created as a fundraiser to support students in schools at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the long-running  music and empowerment-themed event generally features more than 50 plus live entertainment acts, seminars, daily inspiration, celebrities, and fun theme nights.  Cabins are going fast!

We will be sailing aboard ROYAL CARIBBEAN’s Independence of the Seas, departure is from Miami, Florida on Saturday, April 27, 2024 returning on Saturday, May 4, 2024

For more information, interested travelers can visit www.FantasticVoyage.BlackAmericaWeb.com or call (214) 495-1963 to get on the cabin waitlist.

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Janet Jackson

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Janet Jackson To Headline Tom Joyner Foundation's 20th Fantastic Voyage

More GRAMMY winners cruising on the "party with a purpose" include Shirley Caesar, Maxwell and Smokie Norful

On April 7–14, the 20th cruise of the Tom Joyner Foundation's Fantastic Voyage will ship off from Miami and tour the Caribbean with wide-ranging activities and an incredible array of musical performances planned. Headlined by Janet Jackson , the "party with a purpose" also includes  Shirley Caesar , Fantasia , Maxwell , Chrisette Michele , Smokie Norful , and Fatman Scoop .

<iframe width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RNHwXTC9o2s" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

In addition to concerts, enriching activities and fun, as well as Fantastic Voyage's fundraising for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), this year a Filmmaker's Scholarship Program in partnership with Denny's will spotlight the work of a half dozen HBCU creatives who've made movies on the reality of hunger at the community level. Through the years, the Tom Joyner Foundation has awarded more than a half million dollars in scholarships, also including support for K-12 students.

"I'm proud of a lot of things we've accomplished on the Tom Joyner Morning Show ," said Joyner, "but I think I'm most proud of all the students we've helped stay in school for the last 20 years, and our biggest fundraiser for HBCUs is the Fantastic Voyage cruise."

With 13 GRAMMY nominations, R&B/Gospel singer Charlie Wilson stands out among the previous nominees in the announcement. Others include  Kem , Mase , MC Lyte , Sheila E. , War , and Brian Courtney Wilson .

Check out the full list , which includes emerging DJs and many more memorable artists such as Biz Markie, Midnight Star and the S.O.S. Band.

Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation 1814': For The Record

Photo: Raven B. Varona

"Nasty" Girl Tinashe On 'Quantum Baby' & Her Newfound Agency As An Independent Artist

In an exclusive interview with GRAMMY.com, Tinashe talks about her latest viral hit "Nasty," the creative journey of her new album 'Quantum Baby,' and her collaborations with artists like Kaytranada and more.

Tinashe is riding high on creative freedom. Since stepping away from the major label system in 2019, the 31-year-old artist has been thriving independently, allowing her to drop new music as often as she pleases. 

"It's given me a newfound sense of belief in myself and my agency," she tells GRAMMY.com.

Her seventh studio album, Quantum Baby , released on August 16, fully embraces this autonomy — evidenced by its catchy, sultry lead single "Nasty," which went viral in May and quickly became an inescapable summer hit.

She channels this momentum into Quantum Baby , part two of the ANGEL/BB trilogy. The breezy eight-track album explores the duality of confidence and vulnerability while showcasing Tinashe's vocal chops…and waits until the very end to unleash "Nasty."

"Nasty" not only showcases Tinashe's ability to create infectious music but also her savvy in capitalizing on its success. The song climbed to No. 61 on the Billboard Hot 100 — her second-highest charting single to-date — and spurred the release of the Match My Freak EP in June. The project features six remixes that include spins from UNIIQU3 with her signature Jersey club bounce and a jittery-yet-smooth take from swaggy beatmaster Kaytranada , with two new versions featuring Tyga and Chlöe as special guests. The original Nasty queen Ms. Janet Jackson even jumped in on the action, mixing Tinashe's tune into her 1986 classic of the same name during her Together Again world tour.

This isn't Tinashe's first rodeo. Since her 2014 breakout with the debut single "2 On," featuring  ScHoolboy Q and its infectious trap beat laced with a Sean Paul sample, she has consistently pushed her musical boundaries. Her fourth album, Songs For You, marked her first release as an independent artist, featuring hits "Hopscotch" and "Die A Little Bit" with UK rapper Ms Banks. Tinashe is also a sought-after collaborator, having been tapped by Shygirl, Britney Spears , and a plethora of electronic music producers including Gryffin, Snakehips, TOKIMONSTA and Calvin Harris .

Ahead of her tour and the release of Quantum Baby , Tinashe spoke with GRAMMY.com just before boarding a flight to China, where "Nasty" first caught fire. She discussed her new music, the phenomenal success of "Nasty," embracing her creative independence, and shared valuable advice for emerging artists.

Quantum Baby , your seventh studio album is almost here. What does this album mean to you and what emotions were you processing or experiencing while working on it?

This album is kind of a representation of where I am right now in my life, and the feelings that I'm going through, of sometimes teetering on this hyper-confident, in-your-face persona, and then something that feels a little bit more vulnerable underneath, and how that paradox exists within me. That was the mind state I was in when it came to the concept for this album.

What are you hoping fans experience or feel when they listen to it?

I just hope that it continues to push the narrative of what I've been creating and move it forward into a slightly new territory. I love evolving with every project and getting deeper and even taking it down different lanes that maybe people wouldn't necessarily expect. I'm excited for people to take that journey with me.

"Nasty" is one of your biggest songs to date and has had a huge impact on pop culture — I'm not mad that it's one of the inescapable songs this summer. When you finished it, did you think that you had a hit on your hands?

No, not necessarily. The last few years, I have been focused on making music that inspires me or that I like, and using that as the barometer for if I want to put it out, not considering if I think it's a "hit" or not. In the past, in my experience, there were times where chasing things or trying to create things that felt like hits led me to a not-as-pure creative place. I think it sometimes does a disservice to the art. I guess I could have created it and then realized that it sounded like a hit, but I think a lot of my songs sound like hits, so you never know.

Why do you think "Nasty" resonated so strongly in this particular moment?

It's summertime, I think people are ready to get out there and just feel free and have fun. There's so much heaviness that's going on in the world around us, and sometimes people just need a release and something that feels playful. And I think people can relate to the song in a lot of ways. It's just youthful and free and it feels like summer.

One of the other tracks on the album that really feels like it's also gonna pop off is "No Broke Boys." When you create from that super confident space you were referring to, are those songs coming to you in a different way than some of the more introspective or vulnerable tracks?

I think in terms of what type of song I make on any given day, it really just depends on my mood, or perhaps the weather, the time of year, or how I'm feeling any given week, whatever's going on in my life. There're so many elements that could play into why I would want to make a certain song, but I find myself also wanting to make songs that feel hyper-confident and in your face like "No Broke Boys" as a means of almost harnessing that energy for myself. A lot of times I don't necessarily feel as confident as the characters that I portray via music. I think that's a cool way to conjure up and harness that energy and make something that feels that way, and to be able to share that with other people. That's the intention behind making songs like that.

Do you see it as an alter ego?

I wouldn't say it's as deep as an alter ego, but it definitely feels like a side of my persona that I really just relate to through music. In real life, I'm a little bit more laidback and easygoing, kind of quiet. Through my art, [I can tap into] a whole different side of my personality.

What's one thing that you think people either get wrong about you or don't know about you?

I think people assume that someone who's in the entertainment industry or has a public-facing job is extremely outgoing and always wants to be on and talking all the time and surrounded by people. As much as I want my art to communicate that and I love playing shows and things of that nature, I'm definitely more of a homebody and [keep] to myself. I just want to just hang out, to be chill. I'm not super social. I have a really small social circle.

Read More: Love "Nasty"? Get To Know Tinashe With 10 Songs That Show Her Honesty & Artistry

It was cool how fast you responded to the virality of "Nasty" with all the different remixes. How did that happen so quickly? How did you kind of choose who to bring into it?

It's a couple things. I think there was an aspect of just being ready for the moment. I have a whole album coming out and I have all these different things that I'm already planning on doing. So when I had this amazing viral moment and there were a lot of new eyes on my work, I had the work already prepared to continue the momentum or use that energy to move into my album roll out, as opposed to it feeling unexpected and unprepared.

I also think the song just had so much energy with its initial burst of virality that there were so many people already remixing it and just popping on it in a super organic way. That felt extremely organic to put out all the different versions because I was hearing so many dope interpolations and interpretations of it online everywhere. It just felt very of the moment [by] embracing the energy that was already naturally happening.

It's amazing how worldwide it gets too, because it was trending in China before the United States. I was out there doing some shows, so I got to see that firsthand. That was crazy. It's been really fun.

One of the remixers was Kaytranada, who's also tapped you for features on his last two albums, including " More Than A Little Bit " on his latest. Both of your styles always sound so good together. Can you speak to that particular creative relationship?  

We've always just had a natural chemistry when working together. It's always felt very effortless and just really easy. And he's also super laidback and cool. I think we just gel, personality wise and creatively. Like I said, it just feels really effortless and that's the best [kind of] collaboration. So we just keep doing it.

You just announced the Match My Freak world tour — what can fans expect from this tour and these shows?

I think the biggest thing they can expect and look forward to is that I will be playing new material. I think that's something that's also really cool for the fans, they get to experience a new show that's always evolving. It's really fun for me because as someone who performs the show so often, you get bored sometimes doing the same thing. It's exciting to be able to add new numbers. We're going to have new choreography, new numbers, new transitions — it's going to be an entirely new production. I think that's always something to look forward to, because then you always get a new experience, even if you've been to a show before.

Going back, it's been a decade since you put out your debut studio album, Aquarius. How have you felt that you've grown as an artist since then and what's one of the biggest things you've learned about yourself in the process?

I think the biggest thing I've learned about myself is also the biggest way that I've grown, which is my level of confidence. I know now that my ideas are good and when I stick to what I believe in with the creative, that's ultimately when the music and the art is the purest and most authentic. The audience can tell the difference when it comes to authenticity, so [it's important to] never doubt your perspective as a creator.

A big part of your story the last couple years has been leaving the major label system and stepping out on your own. What has that freedom felt like for you, and how does that specifically come out in Quantum Baby?

It's given me a newfound sense of belief in myself and my agency. I'm my own boss, the captain of my ship; as a creative that's very empowering. I like having that kind of pressure and responsibility.

Is there music that you can release now that you couldn't before?

It's more so the cadence of my releases, being able to release a lot faster and to make decisions easier. I wouldn't necessarily say [it's resulted in] totally different songs, but it's little things creatively that feel different. Not having to answer to anyone is cool. It's fun. I feel like that's the way it should be as a creative.

You've had some pretty iconic collabs over the years, including Britney Spears , Usher , Devonté Hynes , Normani, and many more. What have been some of your biggest pinch-me moments meeting artists you admire?

The top for me are probably my girls. Britney Spears was insane, so surreal. And I recently met Janet Jackson, that was also super surreal and really, really cool. I think those moments are so affirming as an artist, because to see people that you've looked up to your entire life connect with you in that way, you've almost hit all the benchmarks. Where do you go from there? That's such an ultimate sign that you're on the right path.

Are there any other dream collabs you've yet to realize?

I would love to work with SZA , James Blake , Janet — that would be amazing. I'll put that on the bucket list, why not? I'd still love to work with André 3000 ; that would be crazy.

What's your advice to younger artists, particularly women of color, navigating the music industry, trying to get their music heard, trying to find their creative voice?

One: teach yourself to use the computer programs that are required to record your music. That's extremely advantageous, and that way you don't have to wait around for studio time or for someone to do it for you. There're so many ways that you can record music at home, on your own. So get that DIY spirit and start creating your music on your own.

The second thing I would say is just be fearless in putting your art out there. Just share it. Don't wait.

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How Ravyn Lenae Found Comfort In Changing Perspective

"I really wanted to give people a glimpse into my life," Lenae says of her new album, 'Bird’s Eye.' The singer/songwriter discusses taking the right risks, and the song that helped repair her relationship with her father.

With massive crowds and countless critics raving about her debut album, Ravyn Lenae knew what she had to do: completely ignore all of the expectations that led to it.

"I knew in order for me to keep evolving as an artist and a person, there was no choice but to let those boundaries go,"she says from her home in Los Angeles.  

After building up a growing following in Chicago alongside other members of the Zero Fatigue Collective (which includes producer Monte Booker and rapper Smino ), Lenae relocated to the West Coast. She made a massive mark on 2022’s Hypnos , which featured a beguiling mix of alt R&B, house and soul alongside Renae’s magnetic vocal presence.

And rather than coast , Lenae dug deeper for the followup , Bird’s Eye (due Aug. 9). Working with frequent Kendrick Lamar collaborator and in-demand producer DJ Dahi , Bird’s Eye flutters across genres and influences — pulling from Fleetwood Mac on one track, drawing in Childish Gambino on another, and adding Jimmy Jam ’s bass elsewhere. Indicative of these multifarious influences are two pre-release singles: the retro pop-leaning "Love Me Not" and the soulfully skipping "Love Is Blind."  

Lenae uses that shapeshifting methodology as a way to interrogate the concepts of love and relationships — never content to rest on her laurels, learning how best to grow and adapt. "Making the songs and getting to the bottom of what they meant for me was me kind of retracing my steps a little bit and really acknowledging all these moments in my life, in my childhood, that were pivotal for me and my identity," she says.  

Nearing the release of Bird’s Eye , Lenae spoke with GRAMMY.com about directing the video for "Love Me Not" in Chicago, blending Brazilian music with Prince inflections, and how the album helped her reconnect with her father.

A lot seems to have happened in the two years since 'Hypnos.' On a month-to-month, day-to-day basis, how much do you shift creatively?

It feels like night and day to me, even though it's been a really short amount of time. During this time between Hypnos and this album — the recording and creating process —  a lot unlocked with me. [There was] a lot of personal growth that happened that allows me to approach music in a much freer and kind of impulsive way.

With the last album and that process, I think I did place a lot of parameters around what I had to be, what I had to sound like, what it had to feel like, who I had to connect with. And I kind of just released all of those expectations with this and made music that I wanted to hear.

How easy was it to actually release those boundaries and work more more in the moment?

I knew in order for me to keep evolving as an artist and a person, there was no choice but to let those boundaries go, if I wanted to keep pursuing music in a way that felt honest. And then being able to collaborate with people such as Dahi, who has kind of mastered that in a lot of ways, and learning from him and seeing his process, seeing how easy and natural it is to just fall into what feels right…

I think the longer you're in an industry or you're in something, the more rules you place on [creativity] and the more you overthink it and try to mold it in a way that doesn't feel impactful. As an artist, being around him and him encouraging that type of process, I think that was a lot of it, too.

Dahi's worked with some incredible artists, and clearly in a way that accentuates that artist rather than making it about DJ Dahi. That must have been so perfectly aligned with your openness, to go in and let yourself learn what you wanted to do. They always say if you know too much and plan everything out, you’ll end up stifled creatively.

It's so true. And that's why I describe it as me kind of returning back to that 12-year-old me, that 13-year-old me, before I cared about opinions, what people thought about me and what I was doing, what I was wearing . I think we start off that way, and then the older we get, the more we get so self-conscious and we judge ourselves more harshly than everyone else.

Why do we do that?!

[ Laughs. ] I think it's just human nature. And then we try to unlearn all of it.

Even just in daily life, it's so hard to not think about what I could have done at any given moment. And when you’re creating music, there are 5 million ways you can create the same idea and you have to just land on that one.

A hundred percent. During this process, we would have a song idea and then three different versions of that song that hit completely different feelings — maybe a more soft rock version of it, maybe a more indie version of it, maybe a more soulful version. Then it was about having to settle into what is "the one" and what feels the best, versus like what's going to chart or what's going to get in the club. Having to release all of that and just really lean into what feels good is what works every time.

That relates even to how the album was announced, with two tracks that almost speak in conversation with one another. Those songs balance such clever hooks with more nuanced conversation about how conflicted and complex love and relationships can be. How did you find that balance between emotional realism and such immediate music?

It was just really feeling empowered and confident in my decision making. And that's something that's developed over time, too. Really listening to my voice and what I want out of music in my career and my rollout, you know?

Listening to that, obviously having people around me who are like-minded in that way like my management and my team. We all kind of empowered each other to lean into those feelings. At no point in this process did anything feel forced or like I was reaching for something.

That’s so interesting. You want your team to feel supportive but you also want to feel empowered to take risks away from that support. And that reminds me of “Love Me Not,” which has some really smart risks. It's that vintage pop feeling, right down to the clap-along beats, and the vocals feel right in your ear. So when you started working on that track, for example, did you always imagine it being that nostalgia, that warmth?  

I thought that there was just something so cool and timeless, a classic feeling about it. And my songs are the ones where you can really pinpoint what the influences are, or when this was made, or the person behind it. Having a song like that, that really reminded me of Outkast . Like, What is this ?

Even before it dropped, I remember having some anxiety around maybe my fans not liking it because it feels a little different from Hypnos . I think anytime you kind of jump outside of the bubble you've kind of created, it's scary because there are people living in that bubble with you who like the temperature in there.  

It’s so important to be constantly revitalized in your work. If you’re doing the same thing, even if your fans are demanding it, you’re not going to get that. And hopefully when your fans see all that you can do, they’ll follow it.  

Yeah. And there's so much left in me to explore into and put out into the world. And look at an artist's career, someone like Tyler, the Creator : Seeing where his sound started and how he's almost trained his fans’ ears to be receptive to something new every time. They've completely grown up with him in a lot of ways and expanded their palate. Kind of forcing the hand of listeners is something that's really interesting to me. [ Laughs. ]

I love that idea of pushing yourself and pushing your fans, but still within the realm of what's good. [Laughs] Not just experimenting for the sake of it. Speaking of growing and experimenting, I wanted to ask about the “Love Me Not” music video that you directed. It feels so well shot but still so intimate and casual.

I knew with the album and how I wanted the imagery to feel, it would be very homey. Making the songs and getting to the bottom of what they meant for me was me kind of retracing my steps a little bit and really acknowledging all these moments in my life, in my childhood, that were pivotal for me and my identity, those first moments where I felt like I was getting closer to myself in a way.  

A lot of that started on the South side of Chicago, at my grandmother's house, in the basement. Even the cover of the album symbolizes that transition for me. That's where I dyed my hair red for the first time in the basement, in the sink, so coming back to the sink and dyeing my hair ginger on the cover was something that felt so powerful and defining for me. It just made perfect sense that we were going to go back to Chicago for the first video, in my grandmother's house, with all my family members involved. Those are my grandparents, my mom, my sisters, so that's why it feels so loose and candid. I really wanted to give people a glimpse into my life and what it felt like walking into my childhood home.

Getting to see a place through someone else’s eyes is so extraordinary. It really makes the little details pop. For example, the plantains cooking on the stove at the beginning.

Yeah. I associate plantains with my grandparents, my family. We’re of Panamanian West Indian descent, so those smells and those sounds, I really wanted to incorporate into the video.

That really speaks to bringing some comfort along with the risk-taking, same as having your family around. The features do a great job of bolstering you, setting up that stability, particularly Ty Dolla $ign on "Dreamgirl."

I think we just had the idea to kind of take the song into a different world in a way. When we first started the first section of the song, I just knew there was magic there. Those Prince drums and that Brazilian guitar — why do those make sense together? It shouldn't ever make sense together. But when I heard it? Oh my god, this feels like something fresh and new, but also like I've felt this feeling before .

Dahi's brain is just incredible, and then even bringing in Jimmy Jam on it to do bass was a dream come true. I knew it kind of felt like it existed in that Janet stratosphere, and I thought it would be such a cool touch for him to do that personally. Dream come true on all spectrums. I love Ty Dolla $ ign , obviously grew up listening to him. He's incredible and I was so honored that he wanted to do it.

Besides Janet, were there any particular artists who were kind of central inspirations for this album specifically?

Sonically, Janet is always in the mix. With this one in particular, some Gwen Stefani , No Doubt , a little bit of Fleetwood Mac in there. I just love taking these worlds that are very different from each other and kind of mashing them and seeing what happens. It's like my favorite thing ever.

You’re trained in classical music, and it's so clear that you understand the range of emotion that you can convey. I'm just curious what happened when you went into recording — or even before that, in the writing. What was it like digging into yourself to find the narrative that matched the mashing?

Honestly, I don't think there was much premeditation with the writing and what I wanted to touch on in a way. Really leaning into those impulsive initial first feelings that a song gives me is something I really valued with this album. And moving forward, that'll be my process.

What was premeditated with the writing process with this album was, with every song, trying to really peel back those layers in my brain and those barriers lyrically. Like, What would I naturally say? Think of that and then think, Okay , how can I make this even more literal, even more personal? Even in working with my girl [songwriter] Sarah Aarons, I learned a lot from her as far as songwriting and how to really paint a picture that feels clear and concise and emotional. Not trying to find the prettiest words or the most interesting words, but really writing what feels real. And that's something that I've really, really valued and learned with this process.

Even with “One Wish” with Childish Gambino, the whole album feels like this big conversation on relationships. Being more direct feels like some advice someone would get with a relationship itself, let alone writing about it. Did that process help you actually process what was happening in your life too?

Oh man, 100 percent. And that's why music is so beautiful to me. It's really a means of opening dialogue between me and myself, and then me and the people in my life. With a song that's so important to me like “One Wish," it’s not just because it's a great song, but because this has really catapulted me into this different part of my life and repairing relationships, opening up difficult conversations — like with my father in particular . Hearing such a simple song and the response I've gotten from it has only validated me much more in the fact that these real stories, real emotions are what connects.

Have you played the album for your father?

We started repairing or rekindling our relationship maybe two years ago. The making of Bird’s Eye was at its peak and I felt like it was important for me to have a song on the album that addressed my relationship with him in order for me to release it and start to move on in a positive way.

So sharing the song with him, inviting him to be in the music video was huge for us. And then even after debriefing about maybe some feelings that came up when he heard certain lyrics or when he saw certain scenes in the video, it just opened up this really honest , candid dialogue between us and I couldn't be more grateful that I have this outlet.

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Living Legends: MC Lyte On Her New Album '1 of 1,' Building An Empire & Being The Guiding Light

"What I'm saying is real. And it's important," Lyte tells GRAMMY.com on her groundbreaking work and new release, '1 of 1,' featuring Stevie Wonder, Queen Latifah, KRS-ONE, and more. "It's just real talk, and I think we haven't had that for some time."

MC Lyte is hip-hop's original female emcee. Born in Brooklyn, the multi-hyphenate rapper, actor, entrepreneur, and fearless advocate for women is a pioneering force. Nine years since her last album, Lyte is finally ready to release her ninth studio album, 1 of 1 , on Aug. 9.

Lyte is celebrated not only for her conscious lyrical prowess, but also for shattering gender barriers. At 16, she released her debut single, " I Cram to Understand U (Sam) ," making a poignant statement about addiction in the '80s. In 1988, she unleashed her debut album, Lyte as a Rock , becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full album.

"[Early hip-hop] was so much freedom that we were able to really make a difference," Lyte tells GRAMMY.com. "That's myself with Heavy D and KRS-One and Rakim and all of the greats having the opportunity to use their voices the way that they wanted to use it."

Her 1993 release, Ain't No Other , earned her (and all female solo rappers) two firsts: the first GRAMMY nomination for " Ruffneck ," and the first song to be certified gold. In 1996, she struck gold again with Bad As I Wanna B , featuring " Keep On, Keepin' On " with Xscape . Lyte's ability to illuminate powerhouse female voices in music shines through her collaborations with Janet Jackson on " You Want This " and Brandy 's remix of " I Wanna Be Down " with Yo-Yo and Queen Latifah .

Earlier this year, she released two singles ahead of 1 of 1 : "Woman," featuring Salt of Salt-N-Pepa , Big Daddy Kane , and Raheem DeVaughn in support of Women's History Month, and " King King " featuring Queen Latifah. Other legends on the new work include Stevie Wonder , KRS-One, Common , Q-Tip , Mary Mary , and Muni Long .

Beyond music, she is also a voiceover artist, actress, and active mentor through her organization, Sunni Gyrl , which focuses on artist development and creative services, and co-founded the Hip Hop Sisters Foundation , to promote positive images of diversity.

Learn more: 9 Teen Girls Who Built Hip-Hop: Roxanne Shante, J.J. Fadd, Angie Martinez & More

Lyte has been honored with a special salute at the 2024 Black Music Honors, received the I Am Hip Hop Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards, and Harvard University's W. E. B. Du Bois Medal. At the Recording Academy, she has served in multiple roles, including President, Trustee, and Governor of the Los Angeles Chapter.

"I think we've sort of permeated every space of entertainment you can ever imagine," Lyte says of the culture in hip-hop. "Never could I have imagined years ago that we'd be here."

Over Zoom from the set location where she plays Detective Monroe in the BET original series "Angel," GRAMMY.com caught up with MC Lyte to discuss the new album, the source of her limitless passion, and her advice for the next generation.   

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

It's been nine years since you released your last album, Legend . What can fans expect from 1 of 1 ?

It's executive produced by Warryn Campbell , who by far has won his share of GRAMMYs through his own work and through production for others. But just so happens that he's also my pastor.

When we set out on this mission, I knew that I would feel comfortable enough to stay in the new lane that I have created for myself. It's interesting to now be in this space and not only navigate what's new, but also be at the forefront of what is my career. You know, starting at 16, 17, you're doing everything that everyone else wants you to do. You're standing that way. You're moving in that way. You're wearing this.

But this album, because I'm in a different, spiritual place, it felt good to be in collaboration with Warryn Campbell because there was nothing on it [trying] to be something that I was ; something that he sees me being. And I think a lot of times, at least in my experience, producers have said, "Oh, we need to do something that sounded like that," or "You need to attack the mic like you did in that song." It's just a bunch of references made to older things.

So, 1 of 1, to me, is sort of a second coming of age. Where I'm able to stay in my truth and also give inspiration to others who are at a point where it feels like they can't get beyond the ridge.

** Your new single "Woman" was released during Women's History Month and "King King " was recently released with Queen Latifah. Who else shows up on this album? **   I made a lot of calls for this album. A lot of people answered the calls. So we've got some really great talent on the record, which I'm really excited about. We've got Common and Stevie Wonder and Q-Tip .

Our leading charge is a song called "Thank You," and that's with Mary Mary and Muni Long. And I just think, for all of the times where I didn't make the call, making a call at this time feels great to have people answer like, "Yes, I wanna do it." We've hit a space with people wanting to engage without, you know, [dollar] signs.

You've always been such an outspoken proponent of celebrating and sharing the experience of womanhood through your music — why is that so important to you?

I do believe having the opportunity to release music shouldn't be taken for granted. And so with that notion, I always, I guess, even from "I Cram to Understand U," my very first song, I always wanted to record with a purpose.  

We recorded ["Woman"] before the pandemic, actually . And we knew that it needed to come out for Women's History Month. So if we missed Women's History Month, we had to wait for the next year. That's the type of focus that we wanted to have on that particular record. I think we were able to achieve it, and it's also one of those songs that we don't hear a lot of these days.

To have a song that celebrates women simply — with a wonderful hook by Raheem Devaughn — but then also seeing what's important to the two women that are in the song, myself and Salt, the perspective that we're coming from is in alignment with the way that a lot of women think. So we wind up speaking not just to them, but for them. Then to have Big Daddy Kane say all that he adores about women is just icing on the cake.

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To bring it all the way up to now to "King King ," which wasn't really planned to do as let's do a song for women, and now let's do a song for men . It didn't go like that. And when I tell you that "King King " and "Thank You" I wrote in bed at about 1 o'clock in the morning — it was just God downloading the lyrics so quickly. I couldn't even believe it. As I was writing it, I was like, oh my goodness. It's gonna stop. It won't stop .

Having this kind of conviction for your testimony speaks to the spiritual nature of your music. How else does that influence your work?  

It brings people together. I think it just falls to me in a space of responsibility. It's not anything that's separate from me. Often I'll let the music lead me. And if I listen to a track, and it's like, oh, this is great. But it doesn't incite power or purpose , I'll put that track to the side. When I'm ready to just rap about nothing or rap about how dope I am, I'll pick that up. But when I'm looking for something that I want a message attached to it, the music literally will lead me into the place where I need to be open to whatever God puts on my heart.

So much of what is said in "Woman" is who I am. And same thing with "King King ," it's what I believe. It's the times when I see guys in huge celebrations when they're winning, you know, trophies for basketball, and it is just like one of the most vulnerable moments to see them as they celebrate with their friends. You can see the pain and the anguish and the triumph and the tears. And it just brings chills all over my body.  

To see that from these men that usually have to have these hard faces with this stance that's so mighty and strong. That's how I feel about, specifically men of color. No no one knows him. And so I wanted to celebrate them and then also their walk towards responsibility and not shying away from what it means to be in a long lasting, loving relationship.

What about your relationships with men in hip-hop? I know you and Rakim just performed together on the same stage at Rondos Day in St. Paul, Minnesota.  

The interesting thing about Rakim , he's probably one of the emcees I know the least about, on a personal level. But yet , whenever we're in one another's company, we have such a high level of admiration and adoration for one another. It feels like we know one another really well. I really give honor to that. However, there are others like Biz Markie and Heavy D and Chuck D and KRS-ONE. These are my big brothers in the business.

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Those are people that would just call me and say, "What is going on? How are you feeling?" Or they'll see some performance… That's Big Daddy Kane. He's gonna tell me, "I like what you was wearing on there," or "I like the energy." It's all of these moments where I am the little sister. You know, they've seen me grow up in this business. And many times over, they've assisted in some capacity.

It's so funny how many layers, relationships exist within hip-hop, and you may not know it because you don't see it. But we know that, you know, that connection is real.

Has your songwriting or creative process evolved through the years?

Yeah. Absolutely. There's a few things that have happened. One, when you're in the spell of writing, stay there. When I was younger…you leave a song open ended to have to try to find the same sentiment days later. And it may not be there. And so [I've learned] to stay still during the writing process. And then I've also learned much more melody than usual.

Coming from New York, we have a way of wanting to put all the words that we can find to show how dope and how advanced we are as emcees. And I think for me to be able to slow down on this record and find melody and nuances that weren't as important to me before, I think that it really benefited me with this record, and that's where I will give the credit to Warryn to push me.

I remember long ago, I was talking to Nelly , and I was about to embark upon a new album. It might have been 14 years ago. But what Nelly began to explain to me, is that "I lived in New York for a summer, you guys moved so quickly. It's no wonder you all rap like that." He said, "Where we're from, we're driving to our destinations." I think that was brought to the forefront for me here with this album. I'm not in a rush. I don't need a lot of tricks with what it is that I'm saying because what I'm saying is real. And it's important. I don't need a lot of influence. You know, I'm simply speaking. It's just real talk, and I think we haven't had that for some time.

You live in Los Angeles now, but do you get back to New York?

I've lived in Brooklyn. I've lived in Manhattan. I've lived in Queens, and I've lived in Jersey. And then I came to California. I've been in California for some time now. But I go back and forth often enough that I don't really feel like I'm missing anything. I'm going back this first week of August, which is pretty exciting, doing a lot of press for the album, and then also, performing at Wingate Park, which is where I attended high school.  

**Speaking of, where are we going to see MC Lyte performing soon?**   I'm on the Queens of R&B tour. So we did Atlanta, Charlotte, New York, and then Madison Square Garden. There's going to be a show [in Los Angeles] at the [Kia] Forum. Cincinnati Music Festival, I'm performing out there, and I'm doing "King King ," bringing them, you know, some new music at the same time, which is pretty exciting .  

You also have a full plate with your other endeavors: acting, voice overs, mentorship. Do you get fuel from these different activities to inspire the other work you do?

Absolutely. I'm actually on set now. I played detective Monroe in a [BET] show called "Angel." I'm on set all week with this.

We have a full fledged production and management company [Sunni Gyrl ]. Right now, our premier talent is Van Van , who is an internet sensation turned actor, recording artist. She's actually 5; she just released her first album. She also plays a character called Vancy with Snoop Dogg on Doggyland .

We've got other talent, gospel singers, Dave Hollister. And then production wise, we had a sitcom that I wrote ["Partners in Crime"], and we did some really great things with that with AMC. And now we've got a few deals around town with different projects, TV shows, cooking shows, competitive shows. I just signed on to be music supervisor for a short film called The Memo , by a new company called A Seed Productions and it's pretty powerful . I'm looking forward to all that comes from that.  

But, yeah, each day it's a different hat. It makes it completely exciting.

What drives you to continue to commit yourself to mentorship and fostering new talent in the next generation through all that you're doing through Sunni Gyrl ?

It just feels it feels like the right thing to do. I don't know any other way. And it's crazy because I meet people all the time that had met me at a younger age. And they say to me, "You said this to me and that really mattered at that time. I wanna tell you what it did for me."

My close friends would call me grandma because I'm always imparting something that can be used later — and I don't even know that I'm really doing it. I'm just talking. It's just the idea of never being afraid to share your weaknesses and your shortcomings. Just being an open book to help someone else get to the next step, the next phase.

There have been some autobiographies that I've read throughout time, and you know the ones that are just ink on the page. And you know the ones that had to see past their tears to actually write it. And that alone is what brings people closer to you. It's the human bond. And if you're willing to just be that open book, so many people can learn from what it is that you're saying. And it may not even be what you're saying. It could be the cornerstone for them to go get the knowledge or, you know, educate themselves about something completely different. I think as an emcee, I have to really be in tune with the power that I have and that words are powerful and have meaning. And so why not use them, responsibly and purposefully?

Can you tell me a bit more about the importance of listening? And have you always felt like a good listener?

No. Even now, it's still a struggle with me. You know, acting is all about listening.

I think a lot of times [what] we do in life is we take the part that incites some sort of reaction, and then we don't even pay attention to what was said before or after. For me, it's important that I slow down in order to listen. Because first off, I'm quick. And so are a lot of other people.

I've tasked myself each and every day with slowing down enough to listen.

Listening during acting has taught me how to listen in life. And that not everything said deserves a response or requires a response. It's the admittance of not knowing that's humbling.

How do you find the energy ? What is the source of this well that you're continually pouring from?  

The source: God. That's all I can attribute it to, because it's certainly not me. I just allow myself to be used as the vessel to get the thing done. It's a part of the dream. So while I'm doing it, I'm just grateful like, wow. I asked for this . Oh, yeah. And I asked for that . And so I only ask that God give me the wherewithal to handle it as it comes and also to say no to the things that I just don't have time to do and don't fulfill the ultimate goal .  

What artists today are you excited about or you're listening to?

I love what Common and Pete Rock are doing right now. Rapsody , Tierra Whack . I listen to a lot of people in terms of Kendrick , in terms of Drake . And, I listen to Tems .

I just hope that the new artists coming in today find their strength at an earlier turn than a lot of us.  

A lot of times , I believe artists understand who they are much more when they've gone out into the world and understand how blessed they are to even be in the position to speak their minds. There are plenty of places where not just women, but anyone who wants to speak out against the system, or disagree with a certain politic, or a political stance, or political agenda [cannot].

What other advice would you give a younger you or artists coming up now?

Surround yourself with people that have your best interest. And when you're young, you don't really know who those people are. But I would just say what you see, believe it. And you can see things much better than what you're told. Because people lie. Unfortunately, if everybody told the truth, then I wouldn't have to advise you to watch people show you much better than they tell you anything.

There's always room for improvement and to stay focused on what it is that you started out with. Because many times, there will be distractions. There will be distractions along the way, and you wanna make sure that you reach the intended goal. And know what you're in it for.

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Celebrating 30 Years Of Essence Fest: How New Orleans & Multi-Generational, Diasporic Talent Create The "Super Bowl Of Culture"

Ahead of the 30th Essence Festival Of Culture, held July 4-7 in New Orleans, GRAMMY.com spoke with executives and curators of the legendary celebration of Black excellence.

Every July, millions of Black people, specifically Black women, descend upon New Orleans for the Essence Festival of Culture (EFOC). Known for many years as the Essence Festival, the festival is a celebration of Black culture, community, and heritage. Since its inception in 1995 as a one-off event to commemorate the publication’s 25th anniversary, the festival has evolved into a diasporic jubilee, drawing in people of African descent from across the diaspora.  

In addition to its global presence, the festival pours millions of dollars into the local New Orleans community, which has served as the festival's home for 30 years ( with the exception of 2006, when the festival was held in Houston, because of Hurricane Katrina). In 2020, the festival was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, the annual festival continues to be one of the most sought-after and attended festivals in the United States.  

This year’s Essence Festival of Culture will be held at the Superdome from July 4-7, replete with legendary and fast-rising talents. On July 5, Birdman & Friends will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Cash Money Records. The following day will feature a special performance by Charlie Wilson, while Usher will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Confessions .

Janet Jackson and Victoria Monét will headline the festival's final night, while Frankie Beverly and Maze close out the festival with the return of All-White Night. Other performers include The Roots featuring Mickey Guyton , Ari Lennox and T-Pain , Busta Rhymes , Raphael Saadiq , D-Nice featuring Shelia E , Big Boi , and many more.   

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EFOC has been compared to SXSW , Coachella , Austin City Limits, and other notable festivals, yet it stands out for its empowerment-centered approach. It is not simply a festival, it is a family reunion. The one festival in the United States that does not pander to or take advantage of Black audiences, but truly celebrates them and their achievements. Although music has always been an integral part of the festival’s ethos — Aretha Franklin and B.B. King performed at the first iteration — the festival excels in its multi-generational and interdisciplinary programming. On any given day, attendees can attend sessions on Black entrepreneurship, politics, mental health, and literature, as well as seminars focused on issues impacting the Black community.   

There’s a reason why the festival is referred to as the party with a purpose. For decades, it has operated as a celebratory convening place for Black people, Black families, and Black communities. Now, more than ever, spaces like EFOC are needed, as the Black community experiences an onslaught of changes — from Historically Black Colleges and Universities in North Carolina and Tennessee being subject to intense government oversight, to Black women-owned venture capital firms being targeted by conservatives , and Black voting rights becoming at risk during an election year. 

Ahead of the festival’s 30th celebration, Michael Barclay, Executive Vice President of Experiential for ESSENCE Ventures and Barkue Tubman Zawolo , Chief of Staff, Talent and Diasporic Engagement for Essence Ventures, spoke to the Recording Academy about the history, legacy, and future of the Essence Festival of Culture.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Are you part of the generation that grew up with the Essence Festival of Culture? If so, how does it feel to be a part of it?

Barkue Tubman Zawolo : I'm originally from Liberia. And even being in Liberia, prior to my family moving to the U.S. in 1980, Essence was always a thing for my mom and my aunts. When we came here, fast forward to me, as an adult, [after] graduating college, I got into the music industry. I've managed artists that have gone through the Essence stages and pages in different ways.

Essence Fest has always been something that we were familiar with. I have to say, I had not really experienced Essence Fest until 2019 when Essence was actually a client. One of the things that I was doing [at that point] was integrating the Diaspora and African creatives within the festival in fashion and music.

To be in the role that I'm in right now and to be on a team with people who have been a part of Essence for a long time…. Essence seems to be ingrained in all of our fabric. [What] started as a music festival now is the Super Bowl of Culture that is the Essence Festival of Culture. To be on the team that helps bring this to life for our community is a daunting but rewarding task all in the same.  

Essence is something that I don't think anybody in our community takes lightly. Even our partners understand the value of it. We certainly understand that we serve the Essence -inverse and, and we are in service to this community. It is a huge honor to be able to be a part of the team that brings this to life and, and, and constantly hear what it means to the community globally too. 

One thing that I admired, especially about last year's festival, was GU Kickback — a music event hosted by Girls United, the publication’s Gen Z vertical. I saw a number of local artists from New Orleans, such as 504ICYGRL. ESSENCE just released a series of cover stories celebrating the 30 year relationship between the publication and New Orleans; how do you highlight the city and their history?

Michael Barclay: As somebody who's worked in experiential, creating gatherings and experiences for almost 25 years now, the venue is always important when you're trying to set the box where you are creating for your community, for your audience. New Orleans has been that backdrop for us for almost 30 years now.  

New Orleans is the convergence of our mission, our brand, in a city that is perfectly matched for that energy. New Orleans is as much a part of Essence Festival of Culture as Essence Magazine is to Essence Festival.  

It is very much a partnership that has created this cultural movement. To be more inclusive, and highlight more of those local relationships and talent is very intentional. It has been something that we have put a lot of energy and effort into over the last couple of years.  

This will be my third festival this year. I think Barkue , you started maybe a year or two before me. We're a fairly new crew that is working to help grow and reshape and solidify those relationships. Even with how we handle the management of the festival.  

Our VP of Essence Festival, Hakeem Holmes is a hometown boy from New Orleans. He's the pride and joy. They love to see him coming. He's always enlightening us on the things that we need to be focused on for the city and how we make the best partnership and make the best impact on the area.

It was intentional what you saw last year. It's intentional this year. We dedicated our entire festival edition of the magazine as a love letter to New Orleans. It's a symbiotic relationship that is one of the key reasons why this festival is the Super Bowl of Culture.   

I would love to hear about the talent aspect of the festival. Last year, Megan Thee Stallion headlined. In previous years, Beyoncé and Prince have served as headliners. What is the formula between balancing local talent, national talent and diasporic talent at the festival?

Zawolo : As we grow the festival, the intentionality becomes even more and more important. And, what we do in understanding where we are as a brand.  

We're 30 years into the festival, the brand is 55 years. What's traditionally known as the Essence Woman is now bringing her daughter. It's multi-generational. We also know that the world is as big as your cell phone, so people are now exposed to different types of content and music.  

We see the influence of Afrobeats and Caribbean music. We are intentional about making sure that every night really speaks to multiple generations, but it's anchored in a generation. It's like, who's bringing, who to the concert on Friday? Is it the daughter bringing her mama?  

It's anchored in  that younger demo, but we're going to make sure that they're going to have a collective good time there. Saturday is usually our heaviest night. We have our living legends that show up there; that really cuts across generations. This is anybody can bring anybody, but let me tell you, you're going to be able to teach each other, connect with each other with the different groupings of talent that we have.

We try to make sure that there is something that speaks to us, but that that connects with the diaspora on as many nights as possible. Sometimes it's not because they're from a different country, but because we know the music also resonates.

If you think of Janet Jackson, you can go anywhere in the world. She can check off that box, although she's not from there. You can create those ties, but we also are intentional about having Ayra Starr and Machel Montano . Last year we had Tems and Wizkid . The goal is to continue to grow what that looks like, because we are a global brand and that is our diasporic and global intent in connecting the global Black community is really important.    

We are intentionally multi-generational. We intentionally lead into where a multitude of generational communities can come together and have fun together. There is something for everybody. We have a unique opportunity with Essence as the brand grows to be able to not only speak to what they want to call the aunties, I call the punties . I also think that this is where we get to educate the next generation on where we're coming from. We also get to learn from them on where they are and where they want to go.  

What a beautiful way to kind of tie all of these connections. Last year, the festival celebrated 50 years of hip-hop ; this year you're celebrating the 30th anniversary of the festival. What is the intention behind this year’s music programming?

Zawolo : Paying homage to people who had done some historical things on our stages. We have Janet [Jackson] back. People are like, “Oh, we saw Janet two years ago,” but Janet is also one of the highest sellers in the festival's history.  

If we're going to celebrate, let's celebrate, because we know Janet never disappoints. We also want to lean into some of the [older] talent, like Charlie Wilson, Uncle Charlie. He's graced that stage so many times, but yet it's still very relevant. Using this moment to reignite things that we've done in the past and bring them back to life that we know the audience missed.

Frankie Beverly, who is going to come , this is probably going to really be his last performance. The passing of the torch. This year was about having to be intentional about what other milestones are happening that are important to this culture. Cash Money is also celebrating 30 years. Who better , right?   

Essence has been in New Orleans for 30 years. Cash Money and crew are from New Orleans. Juvenile just got the key to the city from the mayor. We want to honor and celebrate him, but we also want to recognize the influence that this group of very creative, entrepreneurial, rappers and artists have had on culture, because there was a time where we all were backing that ass up.  

Making sure we highlighted milestones, connecting with people who have historically been a part of making history with us, introducing some new ones — that's what we have to do. We have to set up now for the next 30 years. We want to go to the soul of what appeals to our audience, and we're really all about good music.    

I think the 30th year just continues to do what we do. As we look to grow and connect demos, Megan Thee Stallion is a very viable option because again, the daughter now is going to bring the mama. Intergenerational diasporic and connecting demos, I think that only happens at the Superdome. That's also happening in the convention center, which I believe is honestly the soul of the festival. 

What are your hopes and aspirations for the next 30 years of the Essence Festival of Culture? Will Essence Fest always be in New Orleans? Are we going to have an Essence Fest in Lagos, Nigeria?

Barclay: Being on this side of [EFOC], seeing the true impact of the festival and how it impacts the communities, how it impacts the folks that come to New Orleans, and now, because we've expanded to our virtual audience, the 1.7 million that are viewing around the world, my hope for the festival is that we continue to show up where our community needs us.

We're going to be in New Orleans. We're going to be in our official world as we call it. If you can't make it to New Orleans, you can tune into Essence.com and you can see what's going on there. We are creating virtual experiences, AR experiences, VR experiences, all those things, so really keeping up with the way that people continue to connect with each other, whether they're physically in the same place or halfway across the world.

I think that type of innovation is what I want to continue to see us do and allow us to create that joy that we generate in New Orleans and wherever it's needed for our community.

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Jennifer Connelly Describes Her 'Magical' Experience Flying With Tom Cruise (Exclusive)

The 'Top Gun: Maverick' actress opened up to ET on Tuesday about her high-flying adventures with her pilot co-star.

Jennifer Connelly's experience shooting Top Gun: Maverick was filled with some high-flying adventure -- even if she didn't initially know it was going to be.

ET's Nischelle Turner sat down with Connelly during a press event on Tuesday, on board the famed USS Midway aircraft carrier, and the celebrated actress recalled how co-star Tom Cruise took her on a totally unexpected aerial thrill ride.

"Originally, I wasn't supposed to fly in the movie, because my character is not an aviator," explained Connelly, 51, who played Penny Benjamin, a single mother, bar owner and love interest to Cruise' titular Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. "So I had no scenes, no scripted scenes, in an airplane."

However, things changed when Connelly was "in the plane with him shooting a scene" that was originally supposed to take place on the tarmac.

"He said, 'So Jen, have you ever been in a P51 before?' And I said, 'No, I haven't. It just hasn't come up for me.' And he said, 'Have you ever done any aerobatic flying at all?' And I said, 'No, why? Is this going somewhere?'" Connelly recalled with a laugh. "He said, 'Well, it's just going to be very gentle, we're gonna do some gentle rolls,' and so that's how he broke it to be that we're going to be flying in that plane."

"But it was really the most extraordinary experience," she added. "He's an incredible pilot and it was pretty magical getting to do that."

As Maverick's romantic interest in the long-awaited sequel, Connelly and Cruise also share a scene on the back of a motorcycle that is a visual callback to one of the most famous images from the original film, featuring Cruise and Kelly McGillis.

"It was so much fun. It was, for me, one of those moments from the original movie that you remember, them by the beach, the beautiful light, and then there we were kind of paying homage to that sequence in our own version," Connelly reflected. "It was really fun and, again, just not something that comes up in my daily life, riding a motorcycle with Tom Cruise."

Top Gun: Maverick  hits theaters May 27.

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• Jennifer Connelly
• Top Gun: Maverick

• Yacht Charter

• Tom Brady Upgrades His Old Yacht with the $6 Million Wajer 77

NFL legend and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady ordered Wajer's new 77-foot luxury offshore yacht at $6 Million.

This angle of Tom Brady throwing the Lombardi Trophy to Gronk's boat 😳 (via _misstwelve/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/0WtkbXtrKh — ESPN (@espn) February 10, 2021

The New Wajer 77 Yacht's Profile

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• What Is Cinema?

Tom Cruise Jets Into Cannes—And Leaves With a Palme d’Or

The Palme d’or is the Cannes Film Festival’s most prized possession—the top award handed out at the end of the festival to the jurors’ choice for the best film in the competition. But just as the Oscars give out honorary awards to a handful of recipients at the Governors Awards, the Cannes jury has given out more than 15 honorary Palme d’Ors over its 75 years to directors and actors whom they determine deserve particular recognition for their work.

This year, an honorary award went to Forest Whitaker, who received his Palme on Tuesday night at the opening ceremony. But it turns out he wasn’t the only one getting the special lifetime achievement award this year: At the Top Gun: Maverick premiere on Wednesday night, Tom Cruise was surprised onstage with an honorary award, capping off a day of celebration for the A-list movie star. “I’m going to take this all in, and I’m never going to forget this evening,” he said as he looked out at the black-tie-clad crowd adjourned to watch Top Gun: Maverick .

The honorary Palme was the finishing touch on a day dedicated to Cruise, who hadn’t been at the festival since 1992, for his film Far and Away.

The day began with a master-class conversation with Cruise, who reflected on his career and emphasized his passion for studying and learning about film. He spoke about meeting with directors and writers as much as he could—even setting up a meeting with director Sydney Pollack when he was 19 years old. “I was studying movies, not just the names in the credits, but I would try to understand who did what,” he said. Cruise also spoke a bit about the new Top Gun, which comes 36 years after the original film , saying that the studio wanted to make a sequel almost immediately, but he wasn’t ready. “In doing sequels I learned I can have a dialogue with an audience,” he said.

Top Gun: Maverick was originally scheduled to come out in 2019, but was pushed back to 2020 in order to finish some of the film’s technical aspects. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the release was again delayed multiple times, until landing with this current release date of May 27. Cruise insisted that releasing the film on streaming was never an option: “That was not going to happen ever. That was never going to happen.”

For a conversation meant to focus on Cruise and his storied film career, the actor often turned the attention back onto the people he works with and the people he makes movies for: the audience. The 59-year-old actor, famous for doing dangerous sequences himself and a strong proponent of the theatrical film-going experience, admitted that he does get afraid when doing his own stunts, but that he made that choice to enhance the art form. “Preparation is everything, even if you throw it away,” he said. “Everything I’m doing, I don’t want people to see the work behind it.”

After the hour-long master class, Cruise and his Top Gun: Maverick cast—which includes Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, and Glen Powell —walked the red carpet at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, with the original score and “Danger Zone” from the 1986 film playing in the background. Before they entered the theater, fighter jets soared overhead, with red, white, and blue smoke trails cascading behind them. Cruise entered the theater first—traditionally the director and entire cast of the film enter the theater together—to a standing ovation. In another break from tradition, Cruise also spoke to the crowd before the screening, and then was awarded his surprise Palme d’Or.

After the film, which sees Cruise’s Maverick return to Top Gun to train a group of Navy aviators ahead of a seemingly impossible mission, the crowd was gifted with one more treat on their way out: a lavish fireworks show.

Cruise and his cast will jet off to London tomorrow for another premiere, but his whirlwind day in Cannes was one of the most celebratory events seen at the festival in many years. “Thank you for this time,” he told the crowd at the Théâtre Lumière. “I make these movies for all of you.”

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Peter Bart: After ‘Top Gun: Maverick’s Setbacks And Delays, Its Star Is Back In Cruise Control

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It was an intimate cocktail party. Tom Cruise wore a cheerful smile so I couldn’t resist the opportunity to test it. “For someone who’s just been fired, you look very happy,” I said. “Sumner Redstone figured you would be angry by the press release.”

“I’m not really fire-able, if that’s even a word,” Cruise replied, his smile intact. “Besides, prods from CEOs never anger me.”

’Top Gun: Maverick’ From Cannes To Theaters – Deadline’s Complete Coverage

The media briefly fed on the studio press release, but as it turned out, Redstone and Paramount went into retreat mode within a week. Paramount’s long-standing deal with Cruise’s production company had elapsed a month earlier, but the CEO forgot to check his facts before issuing his statement, so Cruise looked smart in ignoring the Hollywood rhetoric (details below).

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The incident took place 15 years ago, but I was reminded of it this week as Cruise was again winning some important battles on his latest, much delayed, movie. Top Gun: Maverick would be destined to “own” Memorial Day weekend with a guaranteed, much extended theatrical run pre-streaming. In addition, two further Mission: Impossible sequels were positioned for lavish takeoffs.

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With the New York Times christening him “The Last Movie Star,” Cruise’s four-day opening in North America may reach $100 million in 4,732 locations and perhaps hit $200 million internationally.

So that cheerful smile was still implanted on Cruise’s youthful 59-year-old face last week as he skillfully leveraged his simultaneous publicity blast-offs, one from the zealously self-protective Cannes Film Festival, the other from the British Royal Family. This was an historic PR coup: With war jitters raging, the startling image of eight fighter jets streaming red, white and blue across the Euro sky seemed at once defiant and disturbing.

Cruise’s promotional perils over the years have been matched by the physical stunts that he has orchestrated in defining his past films; his death-defying mountain climbs in M:I – 2 likely worried his studio and insurance carriers more than his feats on Top Gun: Maverick . All represented well-calculated adventures in Cruise Control, designed to nurture his continuum of pre-ordained tentpoles.

Also reflected in Cruise’s pursuit of peril has been his idiosyncratic choice of roles, both starring and supporting: Tropic Thunder, Magnolia, Born on the Fourth of July, Rain Man , etc. “His filmmaking friends understand that Cruise gets more excited about playing assholes than heroes,” says a director who has worked with him but doesn’t want to be quoted. “No other star has the guts to satirize both studio chiefs and porn freaks.”

Once he has signed on, Cruise is dauntless about seeing them through, he adds.

On Rain Man , Cruise remained committed to a challenging script even though filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, Sidney Pollack and Martin Brest had all committed then backed out. Barry Levinson finally directed the award-winning film, in which Cruise played the younger brother of a severely autistic Dustin Hoffman, linked together on an emotional cross-country journey. In Jerry Maguire , Cruise was cast as a ruthless hustler who was unrelentingly chasing the big bucks, but Cruise turned him into an empathetic figure.

There were also failed ventures, such as Cocktail, Vanilla Sky or The Mummy .

A decade ago, when Cruise and his long-term manager Paula Wagner took control of United Artists, they had the option of pursuing the tentpole route or a more demanding slate. They took the latter path, marshalling a political thriller titled Lions For Lambs . with Robert Redford directing Cruise and Meryl Streep. The ill-fated project ran into a recession, a writers’ strike and financing setbacks for MGM, UA’s parent company. After a succession of disappointments, Cruise seemed grateful to return to the Mission franchise.

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Review: Tom Cruise Is Back Soaring In What May Be The Role Of His Career

What will be his future scenario? The Top Gun: Maverick launch demonstrated anew his skill at commanding the younger movie audience — the Mission films alone have totaled $3.6 billion in global box office. But the present challenges are real: The army of teenagers who liked Top Gun are pushing 50 now, a difficult demo to conquer.

Surveys indicate that more than half of the 45-and-over crowd haven’t been to a movie in over a year compared with 20% of the 18-24 demo. Cruise’s battle to gain a 45-day-plus window for theatrical release thus will likely prove pivotal — the older audience waits for reviews and word-of-mouth.

So will Cruise ever, in fact, be “fired”? There were conflicting reports 15 years ago over what precipitated Sumner Redstone’s outburst. One of his top aides confided to me that his boss had become grumpy about first-dollar gross deals in general. Why should select stars have major paydays before the studio had recouped?

I finally asked Redstone directly two or three weeks later, when we were dining at Dan Tana’s restaurant. “Why did you aim your rant at Cruise?” I asked. “Under his deal he took no money up front. Not even scale?”

“I understand all that,” the CEO snapped. “I’m closing a new deal with him next week. Same terms.”

“Good. Then you’re biting the bullet, right?”

Redstone grunted. “He is still overpaid. And I can still fire him.”

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‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Star Jennifer Connelly on Love Scenes With Tom Cruise and Learning to Tend Bar

By Matt Donnelly

Matt Donnelly

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Despite the optics of shirtless volleyball games and locker room sparring, you can’t make a “Top Gun” movie without a strong and emotionally centered woman. For “ Top Gun: Maverick ,” a sequel 36 years in the making, the successor to the original film’s Kelly McGillis is Jennifer Connelly . She plays Penny Benjamin, a character referenced in the first film, and love interest to Tom Cruise ’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. Playing a single mom who owns an Air Force watering hole, Connelly brings new dimensions to an ’80s classic.

It’s hard to believe you haven’t worked with Tom Cruise before.

I had never even met Tom Cruise before. He’s so exceptional. Spending time with him, you understand how someone has been such a movie star for so many years. It was clear to me what the franchise means to him, so I felt beholden to him, [producer] Jerry Bruckheimer and the audiences who love the film so much.

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I have a sailing scene, and it was a very distracting environment. We were on a boat shooting up in San Francisco; it was incredibly windy, with big waves. The boat was at an impossible angle, moving so fast, and we had to play the scene at the same time. I was so paranoid that I was going to forget something with all those distractions. I found myself standing on the coffee table in my living room, practicing with my kids spraying water at me and blowing on me while I ran my lines. I have video of it.

You have a love scene in this, which is not something we see often from Cruise at this stage in his career.

We focused on the intimacy of how they fit into each other’s lives. I think those characters have a really tender relationship, the way she understands him. They share a moment in bed chatting, and it tells as much about their relationship as the scene that is the preamble to that. Clearly, they have some unresolved business between them, and she navigates that with humor and playfulness. I feel like she’s someone who is positive and is moving toward happiness.

Did you go Method for this? Were you on set making drinks?

We had a working beer tap on set, and I spent a lot of time pouring. I practiced a lot because I thought that would be a terrible giveaway if I couldn’t do it properly.

If you had a “Top Gun” pilot nickname, what would it be?

I do have a nickname, but from way back when I was in college. I run, but casually. I thought, “I’d love to be on a team, but I don’t play sports.” I am really stubborn and determined, so I thought maybe I could will myself to run really fast. In retrospect, I was more of a mascot. I never competed, and I was the slowest on the team. My nickname on the roster was Death Grip.

Similar to “Top Gun,” a lot of the work you’ve done has cultural staying power, like “Labyrinth.”

Yes, wow. I was 14 when I made that movie. I attribute that staying power so much to Jim Henson — those exquisite, huge practical sets. It was a wonderland. And, of course, David Bowie. So all of those elements: amazing sets, puppets and Bowie.

Things you didn’t know about Jennifer Connelly

Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.

Head of class: Attended Yale and Stanford universities, studying English literature and drama, respectively.

Man on the street: The movie most people approach Connelly about is not her David Bowie romp “Labyrinth” or the awards player “Little Children” from Todd Field. “‘Requiem for a Dream’ is a big one,” she says. “That movie had a profound impact on people.”

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