♪ this is "nightline." >> tonight, high-stakes primary. >> we will fight the woke mind virus wherever it is. >> florida's governor ron desantis, not on the ballot but gearing up for a november challenge. >> buckle up. put on the full armor of god. >> now this democratic congressman is ready to take him on. >> for women, for african americans, for all minorities, that this governor is trying to keep out. desantis demeans everyone. >> the democrat on a mission to stop the momentum of the republican governor. plus 3,000 years of longing. idris alba unleashed after centuries in a bottle. >> what is your heart's desire? >> the hollywood leading man

rumored to be the next bond teaming up with oscar-winning actor tilda swinton in a seductive new take on "the arabian nights" fantasy. harry styles. why nothing is like it was for the pop star "rolling stone" calls the world's most wanted man. here at city of refuge, we house up to 26 families. we reduce homelessness, address mental health,

provide spaces for addiction to be broken, create spaces of healing and restoration. for the first time ever, prop 27 will provide permanent funding for organizations like ours. saying yes to prop 27 means more people get the assistance that they nee they get someone to partner in such a way to see transformation come to them. yes on prop 27, because there's no place like home.

♪ thanks for joining us. tonight, an intense primary in florida as democrats battle for the chance to unseat one of the most popular republicans in the country. governor ron desantis, who may have his sights set on the white house. abc's victor oquendo is in hialeah where desantis has stirred up supporters at the first stop on his "keep florida free" tour. >> good evening, juju, from hia hialeah, one of the most predominantly latino areas in miami. governor ron desantis supporters packed this room to hear him speak. the governor wasn't even on the ballot today, yet he is taking this victory lap in what is dubbed "the keep florida free" tour. the governor rising to national prominence during the pandemic with controversial policies and

divisive takes on hot-button issues. many wonder if he has aspirations for the white house. before then, congressman charlie crist going up against governor ron desantis, an uphill battle for crist. for democrats, when this could be a test how to succeed in 2024. >> are you going to turn out this november so we can keep this state free? >> reporter: ron desantis celebrating despite not even being on the ballot in today's prime pulmonary. the bigger question, can anyone defeat desantis for governor in november? tonight, democratic voters overwhelmingly electing the more moderate candidate, congressman charlie crist, as their best hope. >> i'm so proud to have earned the support for the democratic nomination to be the next governor of the state of florida. >> reporter: the race between crist and nikki fried sparking debate about the kind of fighting chance in florida. while november could be a test of whether the state can be called a battleground at all, or

if it's a lock for republicans. >> florid has become a big white whale for democrats. they get close, but they just can't get over the finish line. the last couple of elections have been particularly frustrating statewide in the governors' races as well as senate races. it's been slipping away further and further from democrats' grasp. >> i've been the governor of florida, the attorney general of florida, the elected commissioner of education. all these issues are important. >> reporter: congressman charlie crist was a die-hard republican before changing parties. >> this is an important moment for florida's future. >> reporter: even elected as the state's republican governor in 2006. but in 2009, two years into his gubernatorial term -- >> please give a warm florida welcome to president barack obama. >> reporter: he hugged former president barack obama on stage after introducing him at an economic stimulus package rally dubbed by the press as "the kiss of death." but 13 years later, crist is embracing that moment. >> president obama used to always tell us, when we vote, we

win. >> reporter: courting voters as the best democratic candidate to break desantis' stronghold in the state. you've been in politics for a very long time. you've seen the state change. do you truly believe that right now a democrat can win florida? >> i have no doubt about it. i know it in my heart and soul. we're one-third republican, one-third democrat, one-third interest registration. we need to get the democrats unified, get our share of the independents and moderate republicans, because i know they're out there, they're upset this governor yells at kids and really demeans everybody. >> people have this question, why did you switch parties? >> my party left me, i didn't leave it. it started with the tea party and it's metastasized now. i'm comfortable being a proud florida democrat, it's where i should have been a long time ago. i'm glad to be here now, and thank god for it all. >> reporter: surrounded by supporters at an early voting event sunday, enthusiasm was high. >> i'm a democrat, i vote a democratic ticket.

i vote for those people i believe can make effective change in our community. >> a lot of things was pointed out that was very enlightening and kind of hopeful. and trying to get things back on track, you know. so i kind of have a little bit of faith. >> how do you feel about governor ron desantis? >> i don't want to really say what i really feel. >> reporter: democratic voters unencumbered by republican origins adding to tonight's big win. >> i think he moves with the times and the current, the current situation in this country. i kind of respect that. he has the guts and the courage to change if he thinks it's beneficial to the country. >> supporters of charlie crist, the main argument that i've heard from them is that he's battle tested that his messaging is very controlled. and that he really understands what it's going to take to beat ron desantis.

>> reporter: while the last democrat who ran against desantis narrowly lost, by only 32,000 votes, there are huge doubts any democrat can beat desantis this november. >> what do you think of governor desantis. >> him? i definitely support him 100%. >> do you think either of the democratic candidates have a chance against him in the primary? >> i don't think so. i think all the democrats, what they're doing, they make mistak >> look how well the state is doing. even if you're a democrat, independent, republican, doesn't matter. if you're balanced and fair-minded, he's cdoing a grea job. >> the truth is that republicans have been able to overtake democrats in voter registration numbers. last year for the first time in pretty much all of florida's modern history, that is a huge indicator of where voters in florida really are looking to politically at this point. >> reporter: so far desantis has barely hit the campaign trail for his own race.

instead -- >> we will fight the woke mind virus wherever it is. >> reporter: endorsing and touring with 30 school board candidates around the state. >> children are being exposed to things that are robbing them of their innocence. >> the indoctrination, the textbooks, the lack of support for our teachers. >> we or a mission to save our children. >> reporter: supporters emphasizing how important education is in this election. >> i don't want my grandchildren sitting in the first, second, third grade classroom learning all about the bees and the birds. >> what he's trying to do is protect the right of parents to have -- to provide education to their children without any sort of agenda being pushed down their throats and put in their textbooks. >> reporter: others protested the rally. >> these are unavoidably fascist laws from a fascist governor. >> reporter: one escorted out after interrupting desantis.

throughout his term, desantis has been a lightning rod for controversy around policies he's enacted in the classroom, like the so-called "don't say gay" bill. >> there's nothin right about punishing a child bhalsed on their sexual orientation or gender identity for a political win. >> reporter: banning books he felt were too "woke" or pushed a critical race theory agenda. >> it's an attempt to silence our voices and we can't stand for it. >> reporter: keeping schools and businesses open throughout the pandemic. but his policies have also made desantis a hero far beyond the sunshine state. >> he recognizes the power in being the party of parents, the party of education, the party that pushes policies in directions that parents want control on. >> reporter: in the last ten days, he's traveled to arizona, pennsylvania, new mexico, and ohio. >> buckle up. put on the full armor of god. i'm on a mission to keep florida free. let's make sure ohio remains

free. and let's take our country back! >> reporter: stumping for other republicans amid growing speculation that he'll run for president in 2024, setting the stage for a potential gop showdown that could pit him against one of the party's biggest names. >> i think he would be a good president, but maybe not right now. i'm a trump supporter. >> ron desantis would not be governor of florida right now without donald trump. desantis is playing his own game, clearly will do what it takes to advance his own career. there's room for them as messengers, candidates. there won't be two slots, though on a ticket. >> reporter: democratic gubernatorial nominee charlie crist thinks this strategy will backfire in november. do you think he has one foot out the door as he's stumping in other states? >> no question about it, he's lost. he's taken his eye off the ball of florida. floridians don't appreciate that. we're not a stepping stone. this is a special place. we deserve to have a governor that's 100% concerned about our children, thinks about floridians every day he wakes

up. we don't have that right now. >> reporter: in the runup to the election, desantis continued to put up points with conservatives and get things done with an eye on november and beyond, suspending a twice-elected state attorney who said he wouldn't prosecute women who got abortions and arresting 20 ex-felons accused of voting illegally in the 2020 election. >> it's also something many conservative activists are appreciative of. they like the idea of further election security, they like the idea of doing what they can to ensure the integrity of the ballot. they see desantis in this case acting. >> reporter: on top of that, he put himself in the center of a redistricting battle that could win florida republicans several house seats. >> democrats have played gerrymandering games, republicans have played gerrymandering games. this gives him more loyalists in congress potentially. also a bit more of a reputation as a conservative warrior. >> reporter: his democratic opponent, charlie crist, suiting up as well. >> this is the most consequential race in the history of our state. what happened here was not a

mistake. and what happens november 8th won't be a mistake either. >> reporter: the uphill battle in november could be a test for democrats on how to run against desantis in 2024 if he's ultimately the nominee. >> our thanks to victor. up next, what happens when you let the genie out of the bottle? the magical new film with idris elba and tilda swinton. e 2 diab, i want to keep it real and talk about some risks. with type 2 diabetes you have up to 4 times greater risk of elba and tilda swinton. you're sk ...which if ignored could bring you here... ...may put you in one of those... ...or even worse. too much? that's the point. get real about your risks and do something about it. talk to your health care provider about ways to lower your risk of stroke, heart attack, or death. learn more at getrealaboutdiabetes.com meet febreze small spaces. the most convenient solution to lingering odors

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choose? idris elba and tilda swinton collaborating on the mystical new movie with an "arraign yak nights" flair. abc sat down with the two mega stars to discuss the film. >> reporter: she is an oscar-winning actor best known for high-profile roles in movies like "doctor strange." and "chronicles of narnia." he is a hollywood heartthrob and golden globe winner for his role in "luther." >> i'm coming for you. >> my name is althea. my story is true. >> reporter: tilda swinton and idris elba uniting on the big screen for the highly anticipated new summer movie "3,000 years of longing." the film peels back the layers of the heart's deepest desires. >> what will you wish for? >> there's no story about wishing that is not a cautionary tale. >> we all have desires even if

they remain hidden from us. >> reporter: swinton taking on the role of a deal muir, lonely academic, althea. >> this movie is about a woman who finds herself traveling to istanbul on a conference. she speaks about storytelling. and while she's there, something strange happens. >> whatever it is, i'm sure it has an interesting story. >> would you say it was a departure from what you've done? >> well, it is. it's new, it's fresh snow. she's the one who deals with mortality. she's the practical, rational one. she's the one who asks all the tricky questions. >> what does one do with three wishes? >> you'll see. >> reporter: idris elba, unleashing a menacing mythical jinn, aka a genie. >> i was imprisoned by solomon price hi because i cried out my heart's desire. only by granting you yours may i earn my release.

>> if he can grant these wishes, he gets the opportunity to spirit away into the realm of jinn where he can live blissfully. >> cannot for the life of me summon up one eligible wish and you're asking me for 3. >> are you even alive? >> reporter: elba using all his persuasive storytellng power not only to win her over and make a wish, but also helping althea find love. >> hello. >> he'll be staying for a while. >> it's about changing. and it's a point where you think you can't change, and you think you've sort of made your bed and you're lying in it very happily, being changed by somebody else. >> reporter: it's a story within a story. for the stars it felt like the timing was just right to be releasing this film now. >> i think one of the most traumatic things about the pandemic for people was the sense of grief that all the narrations stopped. >> reporter: three years in the making, the movie showcasing this dynamic duo's charisma, palpable on screen --

>> but it is your story, and i cannot wait to see where it goes. >> or how it might end. >> reporter: and off. what was it like working with each other? you can be honest. >> well, we're friends here. >> you can talk. >> you know. just -- i don't even know what to say, it's just a dream. >> what an absolute thrill every day. my pal. so lovely. >> reporter: the stars hoping viewers see that this epic fantasy is much more than an action film. >> if there's one thing you want the audience to go home with or to think about after watching this movie, what would it be? >> i think it's about surviving things and there being this other range of mountains on the other side of things that you may never have thought would be there. >> yeah, even though you, me, tilda, everyone in this room, at this moment our journeys here are all different. that's what i think happens in this film, with these two

chara character. once they get to the place they accept each other's journey to this place, this place becomes much more special. >> our thanks to llama. up next, top superstar and watermelon sugar singer harry styles sharing successes both on stage and screen. ♪ ♪ if your moderate to severe crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis symptoms are stopping you in your tracks... choose stelara® from the start... and move toward relief after the first dose... with injections every two months. stelara® may increase your risk of infections, some serious, and cancer. before treatment, get tested for tb. tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu-like symptoms, sores, new skin growths, have had cancer, or if you need a vaccine. pres, a rare, potentially fatal brain condition, may be possible. some serious allergic reactions and lung inflammation can occur. feel unstoppable. ask your doctor how lasting remission

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permanent funding for organizations like ours. saying yes to prop 27 means more people get the assistance that they nee they get someone to partner in such a way to see transformation come to them. yes on prop 27, because there's no place like home.

this is kevin. hey dad, look what i'm doing! ok. he is... my parents are moving in. this is all wrong. ok. but one day, everything changed. ♪♪ kevin? disney+ day! a day of big premieres, like pinocchio, thor: love and thunder and cars on the road. nothing beats disney+ day! streaming september 8th. only on disney plus. ♪ finally tonight, what can't harry styles do? the prince of pop's international rolling stone spread. here's abc's gio benitez.

♪ it's not the same as it was ♪ ♪ as it was ♪ >> reporter: as it was, or as it is, harry styles is having a huge year. his third album "harry's house" is a huge success. his world tour, his fashion collection with gucci, and a blossoming movie career. ♪ watermelon sugar high ♪ >> reporter: he is front and center on the cover of "rolling stone" magazine's global issue. and that means he's the first-ever cover star to appear simultaneously across all of "rolling stone's" 14 international editions. styles opening up about his upcoming role in the film "my policeman." >> you can sense the waves. you know how strong they are. >> reporter: the film, out in october, set in the uk in the 1950s when it was still illegal to be in a same-sex relationship. styles telling "rolling stone" it's obviously pretty unfathomable to think, oh, you couldn't be gay, that was illegal. i think everyone, including

myself, has your own journey figuring out sexuality and getting more comfortable with it. >> he starts to be somebody completely quiet online. to see him open up about so many things, including his relationship with olivia wilde, his movie career, finding his sexuality, his journey with therapy, his disdain for twitter, was incredible. >> always, you and me. >> reporter: styles is also starring in another film, out next month, directed by his girlfriend, olivia wilde. styles opened up about how some fans mistreat his romantic partners. it's obviously a difficult feeling to feel like being close to me means you're at the ransom of a corner of twitter or something. i just wanted to sing. i didn't want to get into it if i was going to hurt people like that. ♪ we been doing all this late-night talking ♪ >> reporter: styles saying he's committed to therapy and keeping his private life private. >> we also reveal the very strict sleep and diet regimen, ten hours of sleep a night with two humidifiers, no coffee, no

alcohol, and rounds of vitamin-rich iv drips. if you want to read more, go ahead and go to rollingstone.com right now for the full interview. >> and that's "nightline." you can watch full episodes on hulu. thanks for staying up with us. good night, america.