Celebrities go online to voice support for Ukraine
A group of inter-generational stars from film, TV, sports and music โ including Bruce Springsteen, Hugh Jackman, Elton John and Jon Bon Jovi, Jonas Brothers and Billie Eilish โ have signed up for a social media campaign to show support for Ukraine.
The Latest: Billie Eilish wins record of the year at Grammys
Billie Eilish arrives at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)NEW YORK โ The Latest on the Grammy Awards (all times local):8:45 p.m.Billie Eillish has won the Grammy Award for record of the year for the second straight year. Beyoncรฉ broke the record with her victory Sunday night for best R&B performance for โBlack Parade,โ surpassing the 27 Grammys won by Alison Krauss. DaBaby says he โfeels like itโs going to touch everybody.โAdโ Marcela Isaza at the Grammy Awards (@misaza)___3:15 p.m.Brandi Carlile is excited to perform at Sundayโs Grammy Awards, even if there isnโt an audience. โJojo Rabbitโ and the โJokerโ soundtrack also won Grammys in the segment of the show that awarded music created for visual media.
Carla Wallenda, member of famed high-wire act, dies at 85
Carla Wallenda, a member of The Flying Wallendas high-wire act and the last surviving child of the famed troupes founder, has died. Her family said she died Saturday, March 6, 2021 in Sarasota, Fla. (AP Photo, file)FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. โ Carla Wallenda, a member of โThe Flying Wallendasโ high-wire act and the last surviving child of the famed troupe's founder, has died at the age of 85. In 1951, her father told her she could join the high-wire act if she could do a headstand on top of the family's seven-person pyramid. She was able to join the high-wire act later that year. She is survived by her son, two daughters, Rietta Wallenda Jordan and Valerie Wallenda, and 16 grandchildren.
Still divisive, Dr. Luke resurges at Grammys โ as Tyson Trax
Dr. Luke appeared as Tyson Trax on the Grammy ballot for Doja Cat's Say So," which he produced and co-wrote. But not all of the academy members may have been aware they were voting for Dr. Luke when they completed their ballots this year. AdโI didnโt know that Tyson Trax was Dr. Luke. AdTogether, Martin and Dr. Luke crafted hits for Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Pink and Kesha, who he signed in 2005. Eventually Dr. Luke stepped into the forefront, helming successes for Miley Cyrus, Pitbull, Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida, logging 17 No.
Timberlake apologizes to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson
This combination photo shows, from left, Janet Jackson performing at the Essence Festival in New Orleans on July 8, 2018, from left, Justin Timberlake performing during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game in Minneapolis on Feb. 4, 2018 and Britney Spears performing during her concert in Taipei, Taiwan on June 13, 2017. (AP Photo)NEW YORK โ In a lengthy social media post, Justin Timberlake says that he wants to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson โbecause I care for and respect these women and I know I failed.โโIโve seen the messages, tags, comments, and concerns and I want to respond. AdFans called out Timberlake for contributing to Spears' very public breakdown and controlling the narrative about the end of their relationship. More backlash hit Timberlake as social media began to recall the wardrobe malfunction with Jackson that caused a national controversy at the 2004 Super Bowl. I want to take accountability for my own missteps in all of this as well as be part of a world that uplifts and supports,โ Timberlake wrote.
Attorneys spar over powers held by Britney Spearsโ father
In this combination photo, Jamie Spears, father of singer Britney Spears, leaves the Stanley Mosk Courthouse on Oct. 24, 2012, in Los Angeles, and Britney Spears arrives at the premiere of "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" on July 22, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)(AP) โ Attorneys for Britney Spears and her father sparred Thursday over how he should share power with a financial company newly appointed as his partner in the conservatorship that controls her money. Thoreen had argued that the proposed order Britney Spears' court-appointed attorney Samuel Ingham III drafted to appoint the new co-conservator was โunclear and ambiguous by designโ as he seeks to take authority away from Jamie Spears. Miley Cyrus shouted โWe love Britney!โ during her pre-Super Bowl performance Sunday. Spears reflected in court papers that she wanted her father to be the sole conservator of her estate,โ Thoreen said.
Super Bowl in Tampa creates 'craziness' outside, inside
They arrived in Orlando on Friday and drove 90 minutes to Tampa the following day to โcheck out the sceneโ and grab dinner. โThe cardboard fans actually make it look like itโs full,โ said Tampa native and longtime Bucs season-ticket holder Matt Geer. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issued an executive order last month requiring masks to be worn outside in the cityโs most popular entertainment and recreation areas during Super Bowl festivities and the days following the event. It was his first Super Bowl since 1969 in Miami. Goodmanโs oldest son, Lee, fell in love with the Buccaneers while playing video games and wanting nothing more than to see them in the Super Bowl for the first time in 18 years.
Netflix leads GLAAD Media Awards for LGBTQ representation
GLAAD also noted that transgender characters were prominently featured in โ9-1-1: Lone Star,โ โStar Trek: Discovery,โ โSaved by the Bell,โ โBig Mouthโ and โSupergirl.โAward recipients will be announced during a virtual ceremony scheduled for April. AdSeveral categories increased from five to 10 nominees to recognize expanding levels of diverse LGBTQ representation across several media genres. "This yearโs nominees remind us that even in times of political and cultural division, diverse LGBTQ representation and visibility can enlighten, entertain, and create lasting change,โ said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis in a statement. AdIn its recent โWhere We Are on TVโ report, GLAAD found that LGBTQ and gender inclusiveness on television has retreated slightly this season due to delays and shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Music artists who earned GLAAD nominations this year include Adam Lambert, Brandy Clark, Halsey, Kehlani, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Pabllo Vittar, Peppermint, Ricky Martin and Sam Smith.
Joe and Jill Biden to appear on 'New Yearโs Rockinโ Eve'
FILE - In this May 14, 2019 file photo, Ryan Seacrest attends the Walt Disney Television 2019 upfront in New York. This week, he will return to New York's Times Square to host Dick Clark New Years Rockin Eve. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK โ Ryan Seacrest will have a special pair of guests alongside the music stars at this year's New Year's Eve celebration on ABC โ the president-elect and the future first lady. President-elect Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden are scheduled to give โtheir last interview of the yearโ in New Yorkโs Times Square on โDick Clarkโs New Yearโs Rockinโ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021.โThe Bidens will "share an inspiring message as we come together to close out 2020 and look ahead with hope to 2021,โ according to a statement by the producers. โDick Clarkโs New Yearโs Rockinโ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021" will run until 2 a.m. Eastern on Jan. 1.
High court to decide whether Nazi art case stays in US court
โHe was very, very proud to have acquired the Guelph Treasure, and then was forced to sell it to the Nazis,โ she told him. It's a pursuit that has now landed him at the Supreme Court, in a case to be argued Monday. Germany and the foundation asked the trial-level court to dismiss the suit, but the court declined. โOur view is that Germany is the proper jurisdiction for a case which involves a sale of a collection of medieval German art by German art dealers to a German state,โ Parzinger said. The suit's claim that the Guelph Treasure was sold under Nazi pressure was also diligently investigated in Germany, he said.
BTS, Lady Gaga win top awards at MTV Europe Music Awards
FILE - Korean pop band BTS attends the 2019 Variety's Hitmakers Brunch in West Hollywood, Calif., on Dec. 7, 2019. The South Korean boy band BTS HAS won a leading four awards including best song for Dynamite and best group at the MTV Europe Music Awards Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 while Lady Gaga took home the best artist prize. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
BTS, Lady Gaga win top awards at MTV Europe Music Awards
The South Korean boy band BTS HAS won a leading four awards including best song for Dynamite and best group at the MTV Europe Music Awards Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 while Lady Gaga took home the best artist prize. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)The South Korean pop group BTS won a leading four awards including best song for โDynamiteโ and best group at the MTV Europe Music Awards Sunday night, while Lady Gaga took the best artist prize. Coldplay won best rock, Haley Williams got best alternative and Little Mix was named best pop. And the best Latin award went to Karol G, who also won best collaboration for โTusaโ featuring Nicki Minaj. David Guetta, who won best electronic, also performed at the show from a stage in Budapest.
It was all a dream: Whitney, B.I.G. inducted into Rock Hall
are among the inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2020 class. (AP Photo)NEW YORK โ In a normal year, the newly inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class would have hit the stage and perform the well-known songs that made them famous and helped them enter the prestigious organization. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, this yearโs all-star group was inducted Saturday night in a taped HBO special that told the stories of Whitney Houston, Notorious B.I.G. As she inducted Houston into the Rock Hall, Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys gave a beautiful, heartfelt speech about one of the best singers in pop history. The Notorious B.I.G.
Diddy, Springsteen among rock hall of fame guest list
FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2020, file photo, Sean Combs accepts the 2020 Industry Icon award at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons in Beverly Hills, Calif. Combs will be among a star-studded guest list for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2020 induction. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)CLEVELAND โ Sean โDiddyโ Combs, Bruce Springsteen and Alicia Keys will be among a star-studded guest list for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2020 induction. The prestigious organization announced the guest list Thursday for the ceremony, which will debut Nov. 7 on HBO. Other guests will include Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Hudson, Gwen Stefani, Charlize Theron, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Adam Levine and Brad Paisley. The special guests will speak on how this yearโs inductees impacted their personal life and careers.
Dolly Parton to drop new holiday album โA Holly Dolly Christmasโ on Friday, first in 30 years
HOUSTON โ Legendary country music superstar Dolly Parton will release a brand new holiday album on Friday, a first in 30 years. Rolling Stone reported that Partonโs holiday album, titled โA Holly Dolly Christmasโ will feature solo and duets with several other artists, including Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus, Michael Buble, and Willie Nelson. The album will include renditions of classic holiday songs and originals written by Parton herself, Rolling Stone reported. She will also release a Netflix Christmas special called โDolly Partonโs Christmas on the Squareโ coming in November. Will you be listening to her new holiday album?
Country music reckons with racial stereotypes and its future
This combination of photos shows country singer Rissi Palmer, from left, Chuck Harmony, left, and Claude Kelly of Louis York and country rapper Breland. Black artists say the country music industry still needs to do the hard work of addressing the systematic racial barriers that have been entrenched in country music for decades. The genre has historically been marketed to white audiences and reinforced white male artist stereotypes. (Chris Charles via AP, left, Jeremy Ryan via AP, center and Paul R. Giunta/Invision/AP)
These 9 virtual or โdrive-byโ graduation party ideas are brilliant
Plan a little watch party for your son or daughter to enjoy the Facebook graduation. Facebook is celebrating the class of 2020 with a whole week of graduation features, and a commencement program. Highlights and more will be posted to the @instagram account on Instagram, and on contributorsโ social media accounts.โGrads are encouraged to host their own virtual graduation ceremony and party via Facebook, with special features including a virtual graduation hub, custom filters, family and friends celebrations enabled by Messenger Rooms, and more. JoAnn Fabric has a whole webpage on how you can make a graduation cap embellishment out of paper flowers. This is a birthday party and not a graduation, but youโll see the general idea!
Judge: Kesha made a false claim about producer Dr. Luke
Kesha made a false claim that Dr. Luke raped Katy Perry when there's no evidence whatsoever that he did, a judge ruled this week while sending a long-running clash between Kesha and her former mentor toward trial. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK, N.Y. โ Pop singer Kesha made a false claim that Dr. Luke raped Katy Perry when there's โno evidence whatsoeverโ that he did, a judge ruled this week while sending a long-running clash between Kesha and her former mentor toward trial. โThere is no evidence whatsoever that Gottwald raped Katy Perry,โ Manhattan judge Jennifer Schecter wrote in Thursday's decision, calling Kesha's remark a false statement that meets legal standards for being defamatory. The finding is helpful to Dr. Luke. Dr. Luke has produced some of the biggest pop hits of the 2000s, working with stars including Perry, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson and Nicki Minaj.