Celebrity Scoop – 01/30/2019

MAROON 5’S SUPER BOWL 2019 PRESS CONFERENCE CANCELED – (01/30/2019)

It’s tradition for the Super Bowl Halftime Show act to hold a press conference on the Wednesday before the big day, but Maroon 5 will not be doing one this year.

The NFL released a statement saying that the band’s halftime show will speak for itself. “Maroon 5 has been working hard on a Pepsi Super Bowl LIII Halftime Show that will meet and exceed the standards of this event,” the statement reads. “As it is about music, the artists will let their show do the talking as they prepare to take the stage this Sunday. Starting with the Pepsi Super Bowl LIII Halftime Show announcement, we began a cross-platform rollout of behind-the-scenes footage and content from each of the halftime performers. Instead of hosting a press conference, this social and digital media rollout will continue through Sunday across our owned and operated media assets as well as through the platforms of the artists.”

The band, joined by the NFL and Interscope Records, plan to make a $500,000 contribution to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America ahead of the performance, following a similar move made by fellow halftime performer Travis Scott, who required the NFL to make a $500,000 contribution to Dream Corps, a non-profit social justice organization.

The press conference’s cancellation came at a time when artists are being criticized for accepting the gig. Colin Kaepernick ripped Travis Scott after the rapper agreed to join Maroon 5 for the performance. And folks on twitter take objection to the NFL’s excuse. Most saw the statement as an excuse to keep Maroon 5 from answering questions about Kaepernick and social issues.

There’s currently a Change.org petition calling for the performers to take a knee during their set. The petition has over 110,000 signatures.

Meanwhile, Maroon 5 are keeping the details of their halftime performance under tight wraps, but Adam Levine and the guys pulled back the curtain a bit in a series of recent behind-the-scenes rehearsal pics. The images of the band working out their set in what looks like a giant warehouse were posted with no commentary other than the hashtag #M53.

Among the images is a short clip with Levine and ATL rapper and OutKast legend Big Boi, who will join the group for the performance along with Travis Scott. “There’s top secret things going out here on the west coast,” Big says in the clip, as Levine puts his finger to his lips. They also posted a recipe for a Maroon 5 Layer Trifle to go with those nachos and wings on Sunday.

The 2019 Super Bowl will take place on Sunday in Atlanta, Georgia.

SHAWN MENDES LEADS 2019 JUNO AWARDS NOMINATIONS – (01/30/2019)

Shawn Mendes leads this year’s Juno Awards with six nominations – fan choice, single, album, artist, songwriter, and pop album, and just one behind is The Weeknd, who up against Mendes in four of the categories, fan choice, single, album, and artist, plus R&B/Soul Recording which he’s won four previous times.

Tied for the third-most Juno nominations are electronic duo Loud Luxury, plus German-Canadian pop singer Bülow. Artists who scored three nominations include last year’s host, Michael Bublé, as well as Alessia Cara, Tory Lanez, Hubert Lenoir, Killy and Bahamas.

The 2019 Juno Awards will take place on March 16th and 17th. Sarah McLachlan will host. The awards are spread out over two nights, the majority given out at a private gala dinner on March 16th, this year at the London Convention Centre. But the televised awards, which is performer-heavy usually with less than 10 awards, is the coveted of the two.

The 48th Annual Juno Awards broadcast will air live across Canada on CBC, CBC Radio and globally on CBCMusic.ca/junos.

CHRISTINA AGUILERA LANDS LAS VEGAS RESIDENCY SHOW – (01/30/2019)

Christina Aguilera is getting her own Las Vegas residency show.

Christina announced on Tuesday’s episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show that she will debut The Xperience show at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood.

“So, it’s been in talks for quite a few years now. But now that I’ve got my feet wet, I am going to do a residency in Vegas!” she told the audience.

Aguilera said performing at one venue will make her work demands easier on her family. She is parent to 11-year-old son Max with ex-husband Jordan Bratman and 4-year-old daughter Summer with fiancé Matthew Rutler.

“It’s less full-on travel and a little bit easier with them,” the star said. “How much easier for everyone to come to one place and fill the venue with fantasy and love and excitement and put on a show.”

“I’ve been actually accumulating for years these amazing ideas and taking people on this amazing ride and trip, and using the imagination,” she added. “I’m really, really excited for everyone to enjoy this experience – Xperience with me.”

The Xperience will feature 16 dates from May 31-June 16 and September 20–October 5. Tickets go on sale Saturday.

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