Celebrity Scoop – 06/05/2020

ARIANA GRANDE, JONAS BROTHERS, TAYLOR SWIFT, ED SHEERAN MAKE FORBES LIST OF HIGHEST-PAID CELEBRITIES – (06/05/2020)

Forbes’s annual list of the World’s Highest-Paid Celebrities has Elton John as the highest-ranked musician at No. 14, with earnings of $81 million over the past year.

When it comes to pop stars, Ariana Grande is the highest-ranked at No. 17, with earnings of $72 million.

She’s followed by The Jonas Brothers at No. 20 with earnings of $68.5 million, and The Chainsmokers right behind them at No. 21, with $68 million. Ed Sheeran is No. 23 with $64 million, Taylor Swift is No. 25, with $63.5 million.

Kylie Jenner is No. 1 overall on the list, despite Forbes recently revoking her billionaire status.

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Full Story: Forbes

KYLIE JENNER TOPS ‘FORBES’ HIGHEST-PAID LIST – (06/05/2020)

Billionaire or not, Kylie Jenner makes bank. Less than a week after Forbes revoked Jenner’s “self-made billionaire” status, they crowned her and her brother-in-law Kanye West the top earning celebs of 2020. 

Forbes acknowledged the controversy, saying that selling 51% of her stake in her makeup brand to Coty for $600M brought in the big bucks. 

“While she had exaggerated over the years about the size of her business, the money she pulled in from the deal was real —enough to rank as one of the biggest celebrity cashouts of all time,” Forbes wrote on Thursday, June 4.

West, 42, who has also argued with Forbes for not naming him a billionaire, was named second-highest-paid celeb, with $170 million in earnings, primarily due to his fashion line Yeezy. 

Rounding out the top 10 highest-paid celebrities are Roger Federer ($106.3 million), Cristiano Ronaldo ($105 million), Lionel Messi ($104 million), Tyler Perry ($97 million), Neymar ($95.5 million), Howard Stern ($90 million), LeBron James ($88.2 million) and Dwayne Johnson ($87.5 million).

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Read the Full Story: https://bit.ly/371dNhM

TIFFANY HADDISH, KEVIN HART & MORE ATTEND GEORGE FLOYD’S MEMORIAL SERVICE – (06/05/2020)

Celebrities like Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, Tyrese, T.I., Ludacris and more attended George Floyd‘s memorial service yesterday (June 4th) at North Central University in Minneapolis. In addition, Martin Luther King III, Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Senator Amy Khlobuchar, Master P, Will Packer and black-ish actress Marsai Martin also attended the service.

Sharpton delivered the eulogy, telling the crowd, “I want us to not sit here and act like we had a funeral on the schedule. George Floyd should not be among the deceased. He did not die of common health conditions. He died of a common American criminal justice malfunction.”

Sharpton continued, “He died because of there has not been the corrective behavior that has taught this country that if you commit a crime, it doesn’t matter if you’re wearing blue jeans or a blue uniform, you must pay for the crime you commit.”

Floyd died on May 25th after ex-cop Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for almost nine minutes. He was 46.

SELENA GOMEZ TO HAVE INFLUENTIAL BLACK LEADERS TAKE OVER HER INSTAGRAM – (06/05/2020)

Selena Gomez is allowing important voices to take over her Instagram and use her platform amid protests globally against systemic racism and police brutality.

“I have been struggling to know the right things to say to get the word out about this important moment in history. After thinking about how best to use my social media, I decided that we all need to hear more from Black voices,” she wrote. “Over the next few days I will be highlighting influential leaders and giving them a chance to take over my Instagram so that they can speak directly to all of us. We all have an obligation to do better and we can start by listening with an open heart and mind.”

Selena also shared information on how to register to vote with her 178 million Instagram followers – and offered them the opportunity to chat with her.

The 27-year-old singer says she’ll direct message anyone who can show her a screenshot that they have officially registered to vote. “I’ll be responding to DM’s of people who show me a screenshot that they’re registered to vote,” she wrote in an Instagram Story that leads viewers to a When We All Vote post detailing “three actions you can take to help strengthen our democracy.”

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Full Story: Us Weekly

LADY GAGA GIVING HER INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT OVER TO ORGANIZATIONS TO AMPLIFY THEIR VOICES – (06/05/2020)

Lady Gaga is giving several organizations access to her Instagram account to help amplify their voices.

The 34-year-old singer and actress took to the social media app to announce the initiative.

She shared a photo of her peace sign tattoo and wrote a message saying: “Starting tomorrow, I’m giving over my Instagram account to each of the organizations I’ve recently donated to, in an effort to amplify their important voices. And after I vow to regularly, in perpetuity, across all of my social media platforms, post stories, content, and otherwise lift up the voices of the countless inspiring members and groups within the Black community.”

In a subsequent tweet, Gaga continued, “And after I vow to regularly, in perpetuity, across all of my social media platforms, post stories, content, and otherwise lift up the voices of the countless inspiring members and groups within the Black community.”

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Full Story: Daily Mail

KANYE WEST DONATES $2 MILLION TO HELP THE FAMILIES OF GEORGE FLOYD, BREONNA TAYLOR & AHMAUD ARBERY – (06/05/2020)

Yesterday (June 4th), Kanye West announced that he has donated $2 million to charities associated with Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. In addition, he pledged to cover legal costs for the Arbery and Taylor Families and has set up a 529 college savings fund to cover tuition for Floyd’s 6-year old daughter, Gianna. 

His rep also revealed that he will be making donations to black-owned businesses in his hometown of Chicago and nationwide that have been in crisis and impacted by the unrest in the U.S.

Meanwhile, his wife Kim Kardashian has announced that her companies Skims, KKW Beauty, and KKW Fragrance will be donating to organizations focused on making change and fighting racial injustice. 

She said in a statement, “We firmly believe that #BlackLivesMatter and we are committed to supporting and participating in the change that needs to take place.”

In other news, Kanye has snagged a spot on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest paid celebrities. Coming in after his sister-in-law Kylie Jenner, Kanye came in at number two, with $170 million. 

Other hip-hop artists that made the list includes Sean “Diddy” Combs, who snagged the number 37 spot, Jay Z, who came in at number 42 and Drake, who came in at number 49.

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Celebrity Scoop – 06/03/2020

STARS SHUT DOWN WEBSITES FOR BLACKOUT TUESDAY – (06/03/2020)

Selena Gomez was among the many stars who shuttered their official websites yesterday in support of Blackout Tuesday.

Selena was one of the many pausing for the day and seeking out ways to lift up the black community and call for justice of racial inequality in America. She also listed several organizations to visit, including Black Lives Matter, When We All Vote, Color of Change and the NAACP. Her new Rare Beauty company also joined Blackout Tuesday.

Rihanna also closed up shop on her brand Fenty and made a promise to donate funds Color Of Change and Movement For Black Lives.

Christina Aguilera, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Post Malone and many others also shut down for the day, posting nothing but black squares while participating in #TheShowMustBePaused in response to the death of George Floyd.

Others participating included Maren Morris, Drake, Coldplay, Ricky Martin, Normani, Green Day, Meghan Trainor, Dua Lipa, Elton John, Billy Joel and many more.

The movement gained momentum after Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang launched #TheShowMustBePaused in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and “countless other Black citizens at the hands of police,” the initiative’s website stated.

However, Lil Nas X believed the initiative would “slow down” the momentum.

“I know y’all mean well but… bro saying stop posting for a day is the worst idea ever,” the “Old Town Road” artist tweeted, later adding, “I just really think this is the time to push as hard as ever. I don’t think the movement has ever been this powerful. We don’t need to slow it down by posting nothing. We need to spread info and be as loud as ever.”

He also wrote that “this is not helping us” and that people “need to see what’s going on.” “Not tryna be announcing but what if we posted donation and petitions links on Instagram all at the same time instead of pitch black images,” he wrote.

In addition, some celebrities including Kehlani, Lizzo and Kumail Nanjiani, urged participants to not use the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter along with their posts for a good reason.

“Hey everybody, when you post your black square, please don’t use the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter because it is flooding the hashtag search with just black pictures instead of information,” Lizzo said. “So if you’re going to post a black square, post a black square and say it but don’t hashtag it.”

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Full Story: E!

THE WEEKND, DRAKE EACH DONATE $100K TO NATIONAL BAIL OUT – (06/03/2020)

The Weeknd and Drake have both donated $100,000 to National Bail Out after singer-songwriter Mustafa the Poet encouraged them to donate.

Mustafa the Poet himself gave $400.

National Bail Out is a black-led collective working to end pre-trial detention, specifically for black women.

Mustafa the Poet shared a screenshot of The Weeknd’s $100,000 receipt, while Drake posted his own receipt on Instagram Stories.

The Weeknd gave an additional $200,000 to the Black Lives Matter Global Network and $200,000 to the Colin Kaepernick Know Your Rights Camp Legal Defense Initiative, bringing his donations to $500,000 in total.

Singers Janelle Monáe, Harry Styles and Kehlani have also donated to organizations.

Other stars showed their support by joining protests across the country. Nick Cannon, Ariana Grande, Halsey, Tinashe and others shared photos from demonstrations.

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Full Story: UPI

KIM KARDASHIAN WEST OFFERS TO HELP PAY BILLS FOR WOMAN INJURED IN PROTEST – (06/03/2020)

Kim Kardashian West wants to help a young protester whose face was severely injured during a peaceful protest. The 39-year-old mother of four took to social media to share a photo of the girl whose face was damaged by a rubber bullet while speaking out against the murder of George Floyd.

She captioned the shot: “This is heartbreaking and so disturbing. Does anyone know how I can get in contact with her? I would love to help her with her medical care if she needs it.”

Followers pointed her to the account of  @shannynsharyse who shared the same shot, captioning it: “I was protesting tonight. I was recording everything when I got hit with a rubber bullet. This is the result.”

She also shared West’s message and corrected a few details, explaining that she is from Louisville, Kentucky, and 23 years old, instead of a high schooler protesting in Minneapolis. 

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Read the Full Story: https://et.tv/2ZZsP6f

JAY Z AND TEAM ROC TAKES OUT FULL PAGE NEWPAPER AD TO HONOR GEORGE FLOYD – (06/03/2020)

Yesterday (June 2nd) Jay Z And Team Roc took out a full page newpaper ads expressing their support for George Floyd. The ad features a long quote from the speech Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered during a sermon in Selma, Alabama on March 8th, 1965.

The quote read, “A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.” 

The “letter” is signed by a number of celebs, activists and thought leaders including Michael Eric Dyson Van Jones, Charlamagne tha God, Angela Rye and activists from organizations like The Innocence Project and Until Freedom. 

The ad was in yesterday’s (June 2nd) The New York Times, the Denver Post, the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Atlanta Journal Constitution and more. 

TIKTOK BLAMES TECH GLITCH ON SUPPRESSING VIEW COUNTS OF #BLACKLIVESMATTER: TikTok said that a “technical glitch” last week made it seem like videos using #BlackLivesMatter and #GeorgeFloyd hashtagsdidn’t have any views. Many users called the company out for censorship, but execs claim it was “a display issue,” adding that videos with the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag have currently generated more than 2 billion views, Variety reports.

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Celebrity Scoop – 06/02/2020

MUSIC INDUSTRY PLANS BLACKOUT AFTER GEORGE FLOYD’S DEATH – (06/02/2020)

The music industry is planning to stage a blackout, a day where business activity is ceased and no new music is released, in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

Universal Music Group, Warner Music, Atlantic Records, Columbia Records, Interscope Geffen A&M, Def Jam, Sony Music and other record labels will observe “Black Out Tuesday” today (June 2nd) to show solidarity following Floyd’s death.

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died on May 25th after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was captured on video pressing his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes as Floyd repeatedly said, “I can’t breathe.” Protests have been staged worldwide, with some erupting in violence.

A statement circulating social media that calls for the initiative says it is an “urgent step of action to provoke accountability and change.”

“As gatekeepers of the culture, it’s our responsibility to not only come together to celebrate the wins, but also hold each other up during loss,” reads the statement, which called the blackout a “day to disconnect from work and reconnect with our community.”

The sentiment was echoed across countless prominent music executives and studios, using the hashtag #TheShowMustBePaused.

“It’s hard to know what to say because I’ve been dealing with racism my entire life. That said, it’s rearing its ugly head right now & by God it’s time to deal with it once & for all,” Quincy Jones tweeted. “My team & I stand for justice. Convos will be had & action will be taken.”

Columbia Records clarified in a statement that its Blackout Tuesday will not be a “day off,” but rather a “day to reflect and figure out ways to move forward in solidarity.”

Interscope Geffen A&M said they will not release new music this week. Instead, the record label will “contribute to organizations that help bail out protesters exercising their right to peaceably assemble, aid lawyers working for systematic change, and provide assistance to charities focused on creating economic empowerment in the Black community.”

Interscope added that it is “committed to taking long-term action in the continued fight for racial justice.”

Republic Records called Blackout Tuesday “one step in a long ongoing fight for justice supporting the Black community” and said “it will not stop here.” Republic added, “We Use Our Voices, Use Yours.”

Atlantic Records issued a statement on the matter, as well, saying its support will extend beyond the day of observance. “While this is only one day, we are committed to continuing the fight for real change,” read the post. We will be using this day to collectively reflect on what we as a company can do to put actions towards change and we will be taking steps in the coming weeks and months.”

#TheShowMustBePaused, an initiative created by Atlantic Records exec Jamila Thomas and Platoon’s Brianna Agyemang, has posted several calls to action, including a reading list called “Anti-Racism Resources.”

Some artists said they would cancel radio appearances and media interviews and refrain from posting on social media for the day.

On Monday, a number of networks, including BET, CBS Sports Network and Nickelodeon, went dark across their platforms for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time Chauvin pinned Floyd down with his knee.

Spotify will add a silent track to some playlists and podcasts on Blackout Tuesday. “Select participating playlists and podcasts will include an 8-minute, 46-second track of silence as a solemn acknowledgement for the length of time that George Floyd was suffocated,” the company said in a blog post.

Over the weekend, a slew of celebrities joined protests across the country to speak out about Floyd’s death.

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Full Story: People

SHAWN MENDES & CAMILA CABELLO TAKE PART IN PEACEFUL PROTEST IN MIAMI: Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello were spotted taking part in a peaceful protest over the weekend in Miami. The couple took to the streets of the coastal city to walk in support of “Black Lives Matter” and to speak out about racial injustice, following the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota last week. The couple was spotted holding handmade signs as they walked with their neighbors down the street, all while wearing masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Camila and Shawn also opened up with posts about the injustice over the weekend.

ARIANA GRANDE JOINS GEORGE FLOYD PROTESTS: Ariana Grande joined boyfriend Dalton Gomez and BFF Doug Middlebrook over the weekend amid the Black Lives Matter protests in Los Angeles. She carried a sign reading ““Black Lives Matter”.” The singer posted photos from the protest, imploring the media to not ignore the peaceful protests happening in the city. Some Los Angeles protests have become violent; the looting that has occurred during them has dominated news coverage of the area’s protests. Grande also implored her followers to vote, sign petitions, and donate to bail funds.

LADY GAGA & ARIANA GRANDE’S ‘RAIN ON ME’ MAKES ‘BILLBOARD’ HOT 100 CHART HISTORY – (06/02/2020)

Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s collaboration “Rain on Me” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making chart history in several ways.

It’s the first time that a song by multiple female solo artists has been replaced at No. 1 by another song by multiple female solo artists.

“Rain on Me” replaces the remix of “Savage,” by Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé.

It also marks Grande’s fourth song to debut at No. 1 on the chart – more than any other artist in history. Mariah Carey, Drake and Justin Bieber each have three.

It is Gaga’s fifth chart-topper overall, and her second No. 1 debut. She’s now set the record for the longest span between No. 1 debuts: It’s been nine years, three months and a week since “Born This Way” topped the chart in 2011.

Gaga is now the third artist to have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s, following Mariah Carey and Beyoncé.

“Rain on Me” is the second single from Gaga’s new album Chromatica, released Friday.

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Full Story: Billboard

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Celebrity Scoop – 06/01/2020

POP STARS RESPOND TO GEORGE FLOYD’S DEATH – (06/01/2020)

In the wake of the death of George Floyd, many celebrities have used their platforms to speak out against racism and police brutality.

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died on May 25th after a white police officer pressed his knee onto his neck for several minutes. The incident, which was caught on video and involved multiple officers, has sparked intense national outrage, with protests across the country along with demands for justice on social media.

Celebrities including Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, Post Malone, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Little Nas X, and many more have taken to social media to honor Floyd’s memory while urging their fans to get involved.

Grande, 26, was spotted at a Black Lives Matter protest in Los Angeles on Saturday, where she wore a mask and held up a sign that read “Black Lives Matter.” Earlier, the singer urged her followers to get involved in the movement via Instagram. “A lot of things feel scary, dangerous and uncertain right now … but there are things within our control: voting, contacting lawmakers, and taking the census,” Grande wrote on Friday.

“A true patriot is someone who will rebel against the government if it becomes necessary, to protect the greater good of their fellow citizens. We are patriots,” Halsey tweeted. “If you are not, you are a coward. THIS is what democracy looks like.”

Taylor Swift lashed out at President Donald Trump on Friday for his late-night tweet threatening violence against protesters in Minnesota, tweeting that Trump has been “stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism (his) entire presidency.” “After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency, you have the nerve to feign moral superiority before threatening violence? When the looting starts the shooting starts’???” she tweeted. She tagged Trump in her tweet, adding: “We will vote you out in November.” Within hours, Swift’s tweet had received more than a million likes, making it the singer’s most-liked post on Twitter.

CHECK IT OUT

Full Story: Billboard

BEYONCE AND RIHANNA SPEAK OUT ABOUT THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD – (06/01/2020)

Superstars Beyonce and Rihanna used their platforms to speak out about the brutal murder of George Floyd. Beyonce posted a video on Instagram on Friday night (May 29th), saying, “We all witnessed his murder in broad daylight. We’re broken and we’re disgusted. We cannot normalize this pain. We can no longer look away.” 

She went on, “I’m not only speaking to people of color. If you’re white, black, brown, or anything in between, I’m sure you feel hopeless by the racism going on in America right now. No more senseless killings of human beings. No more seeing people of color as less than human. We can no longer look away.”

She continued, “George is all of our family in humanity. He’s family because he’s a fellow American. There have been too many times that we’ve seen these violent killings and no consequences. Yes, someone has been charged but justice is far from being achieved.”

She later urged fans to sign the Change.org petition to demand the arrests of the three officers that were involved in Floyd’s arrest and death. She also asked fans to “continue to pray for peace, compassion, and healing for our country.” 

RIHANNA SPEAKS

Meanwhile, Rihanna wrote on Instagram, “Watching my people get murdered and lynched day after day pushed me to a heavy place in my heart! To the point of staying away from socials, just to avoid hearing the blood curdling agony in George Floyd’s voice again, begging over and over for his life!!!” 

She also addressed Derek Chauvin, the former cop who put his knee into the neck of Floyd, saying, “The look of enticement, the pure joy and climax on the face of this bigot, murderer, thug, pig, bum, Derek Chauvin, haunts me!! I can’t shake this! I can’t get over an ambulance pulling up to an arrest, a paramedic checking a pulse without removing the very thing that’s hindering it!”

She continued,  “Is this that f*cking normal??? If intentional MURDER is the fit consequence for ‘drugs’ or ‘resisting arrest’….then what’s the fit consequence for MURDER???! #AhmaudArbery #BreonnaTaylor.”

JAY Z PERSONALLY CALLED THE MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TO DEMAND JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD – (06/01/2020)

A lot of people have been wondering why Jay Z has been silent amid the murder of George Floyd but yesterday (May 31st), Minnesota Governor Tim Walz revealed in a press conference that he got a phone call from the hip-hop icon, who demanded justice for the death of George Floyd. Gov. Walz said, “I received a call last night – to understand how big this was – from Jay-Z. Not international performer but a dad stressing to me that justice needs to be served.” 

Gov. Walz continued, saying that Jay Z also told him that he “feels the compassion and the humanity of these folks who are speaking. He knows the world is watching, and how Minnesota handles this is going to have an impact across the country.”

Gov. Walz added. “It’s a positive sign that someone of a stature, that has a presence like that is focused in the moment of what Minnesotans are focused on.”

JAY Z RELEASES A STATEMENT

Jay Z released a statement last night (May 31st), saying, “After our very earnest conversation, thank you to Governor Walz for doing what’s right and calling in Attorney General Keith Ellison to take over the George Floyd case. Earlier today, Governor Walz mentioned having a human conversation with me – a dad and a black man in pain. YES, I am human, a father and a black man in pain and I am not the only one.”

He added, “Now I, along with an entire country in pain, call upon AG Ellison to do the right thing and prosecute all those responsible for the murder of George Floyd to the fullest extent of the law.This is just a first step. I am more determined to fight for justice than any fight my would-be oppressors.” 

His statement concluded, “I prevail on every politician, prosecutor and officer in the country to have the courage to do what is right. Have the courage to look at us as humans, dads, brothers, sisters and mothers in pain and look at yourselves.”

HALSEY SLAMS RUMORS SHE WAS ARRESTED AT L.A. PROTESTS; HIT BY RUBBER BULLETS – (06/01/2020)

Halsey took to Twitter on Saturday to slam rumors that she had been arrested at the Black Lives Matter protest in Los Angeles earlier that day.

The singer detailed her experience taking part in a George Floyd protest, revealing that she sustained a bruise after being hit by a rubber bullet  and shrapnel.

“A true patriot is someone who will rebel against the government if it becomes necessary, to protect the greater good of their fellow citizens. We are patriots,” Halsey tweeted Saturday.

“If you are not, you are a coward. THIS is what democracy looks like.”

The singer, who attended the Black Lives Matter rally in Los Angeles Saturday with Yungblud, also livestreamed the protest’s altercation with police officers.

“Fired rubber bullets at us. We did not breach the line. Hands were up. Unmoving. And they gassed and fired,” Halsey tweeted.

The singer added, “I WAS NOT ARRESTED. Im safe. There were ppl I had to get to safety as many of them have VISAs. Myself + many of my peers were shot, gassed + antagonized. The frontline was calm + did not provoke. BUT MANY ARE NOT SAFE + MANY ARE IN CUSTODY.”

In a since-deleted post on her Instagram, Halsey uploaded a photo of her bruised leg. “This hit me through layers of fabric and for that, I am extremely privileged. At close range it would have caused serious injury. They were fired at peoples’ faces during peaceful moments of the demonstration.”

CHECK IT OUT

Full Story: Billboard

BLAKE LIVELY AND RYAN REYNOLDS DONATE $200K TO NAACP: Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are donating $200,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund amid ongoing protests against police brutality. On social media, they wrote: “We don’t know what it’s like to experience that life day in and day out. We can’t imagine feeling that kind of fear and anger. We’re ashamed that in the past we’ve allowed ourselves to be uninformed about how deeply rooted systemic racism is.” (ET)

KIM KARDASHIAN REACTS TO THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD – (06/01/2020)

Kim Kardashian took to Instagram to share her thoughts on the murder of George Floyd. On Saturday morning (May 30th), she wrote, “Like so many of you, I am angry. I am more than angry. I am infuriated and I am disgusted.” She continued, “For years, with every horrific murder of an innocent black man, woman, or child, I have always tried to find the right words to express my condolences and outrage. But the privilege I am afforded by the color of my skin has often left me feeling like this is not a fight that I can truly take on my own. Not today, not anymore.” 

She continued, “I am exhausted by the heartbreak I feel seeing mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and children suffering because their loved one was murdered or locked away unjustly for being black.”

She added, “Even though I will never know the pain and suffering they have endured, or what it feels like to try to survive in a world plagued by systemic racism, I know I can use my own voice to help amplify those voices that have been muffled for too long.”

She ended her post with, “#blacklivesmatter, #justiceforgeorgefloyd, #justiceforahamudarbery, #justiceforbronnataylor.”

CHRISSY TEIGEN PLEDGES $200K TO BAIL OUT PROTESTERS: Chrissy Teigen has pledged $200K to bail out the people arrested in protests following the death of George Floyd in police hands, she wrote on Twitter. “In celebration of whatever the f—k maga night is, I am committed to donating $100,000 to the bail outs of protestors across the country,” Teigen first tweeted Saturday. She doubled the amount when a user dubbed the protestors “rioters and criminals”. “Ooo they might need more money then. Make it $200,000,” Teigen responded. Several other celebrities—including Halsey, Yunglud, Machine Gun Kelly and Emily Ratajkowski—have joined protests or spoken out against Floyd’s death. 

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Celebrity Scoop – 05/29/2020

HARRY CONNICK JR. TO HOST GRAMMY SALUTE HONORING ESSENTIAL WORKERS: Harry Connick Jr. is set to host a Grammy special honoring essential workers. United We Sing: A Grammy Salute to the Unsung Heroes will air June 21st on CBS and CBS All Access. Connick Jr. and his filmmaker daughter, Georgia Connick, will take a road trip in an RV to thank and celebrate essential workers. Oprah Winfrey, Sandra Bullock, Drew Brees, Queen Latifah, Brad Pitt and Renee Zellweger will join the duo to deliver surprise messages to essential workers. Jamie Foxx, Jon Batiste, Andra Day, John Fogerty, Herbie Hancock, Cyndi Lauper, Little Big Town, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Dave Matthews, Tim McGraw, Rockin Dopsie, Irma Thomas, Trombone Shorty and Connick Jr. will perform. The special will also promote donating to charities such as No Kid Hungry, Ellis Marsalis Center for Music and the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.

MILEY CYRUS CALLS FOR COVID-19 FUNDING IN GLOBAL CITIZEN CAMPAIGN: Miley Cyrus appears in a new video for Global Citizen’s “Global Goal: Unite for Our Future” campaign, which focuses on the development of COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines. The campaign strives to ensure that tests, treatments and vaccines are available to all communities equally, and to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on those living in poverty. Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Adam Lambert, Hugh Jackman, Padma Lakshmi, Shakira, Coldplay and other stars will also take part in the campaign. The celebrities will use social media to engage fans and rally the public to call on world leaders.

BURGER KING TICKS OFF TAYLOR SWIFT FANS: Burger King is in big trouble with Taylor Swift fans after firing off a sarcastic tweet at the singer’s expense. It started after a Taylor Swift fan on Twitter asked Burger King what its favorite Swift song was. The chain replied with a snarky, now-deleted, response: “The one about her ex.” Swift fans saw the comment as a sexist dig and responded by getting the hashtag #BurgerKingIsOverParty trending. Even McDonald’s got in on the action by claiming they “would never” poke fun at Taylor. Burger King attempted to move on from the controversy, tweeting with a winky face, “let’s shake it off. celebrate #BurgerKingIsOverParty with the $3 shake + fries deal in the app.”

‘TODAY’ CONCERT SERIES TO FEATURE KELLY CLARKSON, RICKY MARTIN, CHANCE THE RAPPER, & MORE: Today has announced a lineup for its new Citi music series, which kicks off Friday with a performance by Lady Antebellum. The concert series will feature virtual performances, interviews with the artists, viewer surprises and expanded digital content. Chance the Rapper, Alanis Morissette, Freestyle Love Supreme and Lin-Manuel Miranda, Dixie Chicks, Chloe x Halle, Rascal Flatts and other artists will also perform. Performances will be virtual and without live audiences due to the pandemic.

PRINCE WILLIAM EXPLAINS TRICK TO OVERCOME ANXIETY: Even Prince William gets nerves before speaking in public. The royal dad says in the BBC doc Football, Prince William and Our Mental Health, “My eyesight started to tail off a little bit as I got older, and I didn’t use to wear contacts when I was working, so actually when I gave speeches I couldn’t see anyone’s face. And it helps, because it’s just a blur of faces and because you can’t see anyone looking at you — I can see enough to read the paper and stuff like that — but I couldn’t actually see the whole room. And actually that really helps with my anxiety.”

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Celebrity Scoop – 05/28/2020

CELINE DION, MICHAEL BUBLÉ AND MORE JOIN CALL FOR CODE CLIMATE CHANGE & COVID-19 AWARENESS CAMPAIGN: OneRepublic, Jonas Brothers, Celine Dion, Cher, Michael Bublé and Rod Stewart have teamed up with more than 50 other celebrities in support of a climate change and COVID-19 awareness campaign called Call for Code. The initiative is designed to advocate for “new tech solutions to help people suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.” Other music artists participating in the social media awareness campaign include Barbra Streisand, Carole King, Rob Thomas, Gloria Estefan, Cyndi Lauper, Pentatonix and Jason Mraz. Artists participating are using their socials to share messages like, “Let’s fight back against #COVID19 & #ClimateChange. Join @CallforCode & its partner @UNHumanRights to help create solutions for the world’s most vulnerable people.” For more info, visit CallforCode.org.

BILLIE EILISH CALLS OUT BODY SHAMERS IN SHORT FILM – (05/28/2020)

Billie Eilish protests body shaming in a new short film titled “Not My Responsibility.”

The video opens with Eilish wearing a hoodie as she stands in a dark pool of liquid. The singer undresses as she challenges body shamers and her haters before slipping underwater.

“Do you know me, really know me?” Eilish asks. “You’ll have opinions about my opinions, about my music, about my clothes, about my body.”

Eilish is both criticized and praised for often wearing baggy clothes. “Some people hate what I wear, some people praise it, some people use it to shame others, some people use it to shame me, but I feel you watching,” the star says. “Nothing I do goes unseen.”

Eilish wrote and produced the project, which was first shown during her “Where Do We Go?” world tour. The remaining dates of the tour were postponed in March due to the pandemic.

However, she’s stayed busy through the lockdown and has performed livestream concerts, created face mask merch, and chatted with Rainn Wilson about her crippling obsession with The Office.

Eilish has apparently made her way through the entire nine-season series 15 times. It’s a baffling accomplishment that even Rainn Wilson, who starred on the sitcom as Dwight Schrute, finds ridiculous.

Wilson recently invited the 18-year-old to join him on Hey There, Human, a quarantine-specific Instagram Live series that he runs as part of his SoulPancake uplifting content-creation network. During the show, the pair discussed a number of things, including Eilish’s interesting quarantine TV binge habits.

“Well, I just finished watching The Office for a 15th time two days ago,” Eilish told the actor when asked about what she’s been doing to take care of her mental health during this difficult time. Wilson let out an exasperated sigh before letting off, “William, it is time to move on.” (He calls her “William” throughout the interview) “It is time to move on to another show. Really. Please,” he begged.

“I have tried, okay,” she responded. “But, you know, I can’t do anything about it. I don’t know.” “Every time I hit that episode that says finale, I’m always like, goddamn it.”

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Full Story: Entertainment Weekly

TRAVIS SCOTT AND RIHANNA DATED BACK IN 2015 – (05/28/2020)

It has been confirmed that Travis Scott secretly dated Rihanna back in 2015.  According to US Weekly, Throwing Fits cohost Lawrence Schlossman was chatting with fellow podcaster James Harris and journalist Jonah Weiner about the experience of celebrities hating something they had written about them and Schlossman said that Travis wasn’t too happy when he broke the news about the rapper dating Rihanna.

Schlossman explained, “I broke the news about him and Rihanna, which they told me not to do. Apparently, what La Puma, our boy Joe the Puma [a Complex editor], told me was that it hurt Complex’s relationship with Travis. This was in 2015/16 I wrote this. But apparently, for the next couple of years, he would complain about that.”

Schlossman added, “It’s not because he’s like, ‘Don’t tell anyone I’m smashing Rihanna.’ It’s because Rihanna’s like, ‘Don’t tell anyone that I’m smashing Travis Scott, please.’ [It’s] obviously embarrassing as f*ck.”

Two years later, Travis started dating Kylie Jenner.

JUSTIN AND HAILEY BIEBER THREATEN TO SUE PLASTIC SURGEON OVER TIKTOK VIDEOS – (05/28/2020)

Justin and Hailey Bieber are threatening legal action against a plastic surgeon who posted a video about the model on TikTok.

Attorneys sent a cease and desist letter to Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Barrett accusing him of using the 23-year-old model’s “name, image and likeness” to “commercially advertise your plastic surgery practice and to spread false, uncorroborated claims that Mrs. Bieber has undergone plastic surgery.”

Barrett featured Hailey in a video and claimed that she’s had a skin tightening procedure, jawline contouring, chin augmentation, as well as filler in her cheeks and lips.

Justin also accused the doctor of using “copyrighted protected lyrics” from his song “Sorry.”

The couple is seeking a public statement from Barrett renounce the claims he made and remove any and all posts containing non-approved references to them.

Barrett claims that the purpose of his TikTok account is to educate viewers and “increase the transparency of plastic surgery.” He also said: “I was definitely shocked as I was simply sharing my opinion on what I thought she may have had done. I felt like I was being bullied. I do not make money off of the TikTok account and the ‘cease and desist’ was overreaching.”

Dr. Barrett noted that Hailey is not one of his patients, but he did some research and found photos of her that appeared to be unaltered. “I compared them side-by-side and gave my opinion as to what plastic surgery procedures I thought she had done,” he explained, adding that people tagged Hailey and she “posted a comment that she felt it was flattering that people thought that she had plastic surgery.”

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Full Story: Entertainment Tonight

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Celebrity Scoop – 05/27/2020

JIMMY FALLON APOLOGIZES FOR BLACKFACE ‘SNL’ SKETCH – (05/27/2020)

Jimmy Fallon took to Twitter to apologize about an old clip that resurfaced of him impersonating Chris Rock on Saturday Night Live in blackface. Shortly after 20 year old clip resurfaced, the hashtag #jimmyfallonisoverparty began trending on Twitter.

Fallon tweeted, “I made a terrible decision to do an impersonation of Chris Rock while in blackface. There is no excuse for this.”

He added, “I am very sorry for making this unquestionably offensive decision and thank all of you for holding me accountable.”

HALSEY BREAKS HER ANKLE, TOES & STUDYING LAW – (05/27/2020)

Halsey is opening up about a mishap she experienced in her home that left her with a broken ankle.

Appearing virtually on Capital Breakfast Tuesday, Halsey revealed she suffered the break while attempting to load her dishwasher. “I was loading the dishwasher and I pulled the door down to load the dishwasher, and the kitchen floor was wet and I tripped over the dishwasher door,” she recalled. “And after, you know, 2,000 live shows, where I’m jumping around for two hours, I finally fractured my ankle. In the kitchen. At my house.”

Halsey clarified her injury in a Twitter Q&A that she “slammed” her “ankle bone into the metal and fractured it.” When a fan asked how she was doing a few days later, she admitted to additionally breaking two toes on her other foot. Halsey shared an update on Instagram, posting a bikini mirror selfie without her ankle brace.

The singer also revealed that she is currently studying Constitutional Law and said she is studying for the bar exam.

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Full Story: People

KYLIE JENNER ISN’T MAD AT DRAKE FOR CALLING HER A ‘SIDE PIECE’ – (05/27/2020)

​Kylie Jenner isn’t too bothered by Drake calling her a “side piece” in an unreleased song. Last week, the rapper played the track during a livestreamed episode of “Night Owl Sound” where he rapped: “Yeah, I’m a hater to society / Real sh*t, Kylie Jenner that’s a side piece / Yeah, I got 20 motherfu**in’ Kylies.”  According to E! News, Kylie “wasn’t surprised” by the song or the lyrics because she knew about it beforehand.

A source said, “She has no hard feelings about it. She knew it was old. Her and Drake are still very good friends and she just laughed it off.” The source added that Kylie “appreciated” Drake’s quick apology. 

Rumors swirled a couple of years back that Kylie and Drake were dating. The two never confirmed or denied.

JENNIFER LOPEZ A LITTLE HEARTBROKEN’ ABOUT POSTPONING HER WEDDING TO ALEX RODRIGUEZ – (05/27/2020)

Jennifer Lopez is feeling “a little heartbroken” that her wedding to Alex Rodriguez has been put on hold due to the pandemic – but she told Today she is leaving the matter in God’s hands.

Lopez didn’t divulge too much about what the couple had planned but did reveal that everything is paused right now.

“There’s no planning right now. You just have to kind of wait and see how this all plays out,” she explained. “It’s disappointing on one level, you know, after the Super Bowl and after [filming] World of Dance … I planned to take time off, which is what we’re doing kind of right now. But at the same time, you know, we had a lot of plans for this summer and this year but, everything’s kinda on hold right now.”

For now, Lopez and Rodriguez are enjoying the time at home with their family. Lopez has 12-year-old twins, daughter Emme and son Max, with her ex-husband Marc Anthony, while Rodriguez has two daughters, Natasha, 15, and Ella, 12, with his ex-wife, Cynthia Scurtis.

JLo and ARod got engaged in March 2019 with the former Yankee player proposing on vacation with a reported $1 million emerald-cut diamond ring.

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Full Story: Page Six

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