John McEnroe needs no introduction. If you are a tennis enthusiast from the 80s or 90s, you would already know about his unrivalled shot-making and volleying skills in the game. But the American former professional tennis player, who now offers his take on the sport as a TV analyst, is now making a splash as a sage narrator of Netflix's coming-of-age comedy-drama series Never Have I Ever, co-created by Mindy Kaling.
McEnroe has previously played himself in such films as Mr. Deeds (2002), Anger Management (2003), and Wimbledon (2004) and satirical sitcom 30 Rock and comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm to name a few. But narrating a coming-of-age comedy about an Indian American teen named Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), was an unlikely choice for the tennis great.
Kaling approached McEnroe at a post-Oscars Vanity Fair bash, vaguely pitching him the idea of narrating a new series she was working on. When asked about how he reacted to Kaling’s offer, McEnroe told a leading publication, “You cannot be serious. But I did not get the full details. At first, she just said, “(I have) this idea for the show I'm doing and I'd love you to narrate it.” Nine times out of 10 it’s the last time you'll hear from someone. So, when I actually did hear from Mindy and her people, I was pleasantly surprised.”
So, what made him nod a yes to the show? “I like to try to do things that get you out of your comfort zone a little bit. I've always believed in the theory it's better to try and fail than not try at all. And I thought this was different. I saw one interview on one of those entertainment shows where they were speaking to Maitreyi and they were like, “Have you ever thought about who you'd like as narrator?” And I'm like, “Why the hell are they saying that? She didn't respond with something like: “Yes, I want Michelle Pfeiffer or I want Mindy Kaling to do it.” I suppose, as you get older, at least with me, you learn to appreciate things more. At certain times, I was disappointed in myself that while I was doing what I was doing — and I was even the best at it — I wasn't getting the type of enjoyment I would have liked. So, it’s nice to sort of do something later on [in life] where you can,” he added.
Never Have I Ever 2 premiered on July 15, 2021, on Netflix.
The singer jokingly texted Clairo saying, "Let's f**k her up," sparking an online frenzy
Why Charli XCX jokingly declared war on Peppa Pig after one viral comment
Highlights
What started as a playful celebrity game has turned into one of the internet's most unexpected viral moments, with Charli XCX jokingly threatening to "f**k up" Peppa Pig after the beloved cartoon character appeared to dismiss singer Clairo.
The exchange quickly spread across social media, drawing reactions from fans and fellow musicians, while turning an unlikely clash between a pop star and a fictional children's character into a trending talking point.
Peppa Pig's viral remark sparked the joke
The playful exchange began during Peppa Pig's appearance in Pitchfork's Over/Under game, where the animated character rated a selection of music artists.
While expressing admiration for acts including PinkPantheress and The Beatles, Peppa responded to Clairo by saying, "I don't know her," a line widely recognised as a reference to Mariah Carey's famous response when asked about Jennifer Lopez.
The remark, accompanied by a knowing glance at the camera, quickly gained traction online.
Charli XCX rushed to Clairo's defence
After seeing the clip, Charli XCX privately messaged Clairo, writing, "Let's f**k her up," alongside a screenshot of the viral post.
Clairo later shared the exchange on social media, prompting thousands of reactions from fans, many of whom responded with pig and bacon-themed jokes.
PinkPantheress, whom Peppa had praised in the original video, also joined the conversation, posting a message supporting Clairo.
As the exchange continued, Clairo responded to the growing attention with humour, replying to posts before eventually telling followers, "ok that's enoughhhhh lolllllllllll."
Some fans joked that the viral moment was the perfect opportunity for the singer to announce new music, though Clairo replied that she did not have anything ready to share.
Her most recent album, Charm, was released in 2024, with its accompanying tour concluding in 2025.
Charli XCX keeps her focus on new music
While the online joke continued to gather momentum, Charli XCX did not publicly add to the exchange.
Instead, the singer has been focusing on promoting her upcoming album, Music, Fashion, Film, which is scheduled for release on July 24.
Although fans speculated that one of the track titles could be a playful nod to the viral exchange, there has been no indication that the album references the light-hearted social media moment.