KELLY CLARKSON, KHALID, MORE TO PERFORM AT BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS 2019 – (04/10/2019)

The 2019 Billboard Music Awards will feature performances from Kelly Clarkson and Khalid, among others.

Billboard announced that Clarkson, 36, and Khalid, 21, will take the stage May 1st at the awards show in Las Vegas. Sam Smith, Normani, Panic! At the Disco and Lauren Daigle will also perform. Smith and Normani, who released the single “Dancing with a Stranger” in January, will perform together.

Clarkson will perform a new single at the ceremony. She will also host the awards show for the second year in a row. “I had so much fun hosting the Billboard Music Awards last year that I’m back for more,” she said. “We’re turning it up a notch this year and I can’t wait to celebrate all of my fellow amazing artists for another unforgettable night of live music.”

Smith and Panic! At the Disco are performing at the Billboard Music Awards for the first time. Panic! At the Disco is nominated for four awards, including Top Duo/Group and Top Rock Artist.

Billboard announced the full list of nominees last week. Ariana Grande and Cardi B are both up for Top Female Artist, while Drake and Travis Scott are among those nominated for Top Male Artist.

The 2019 Billboard Music Awards will air live May 1st on NBC from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

HALSEY TO RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FROM SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME – (04/10/2019)

Halsey will be honored with the Hal David Starlight Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame 50th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner on June 13th in New York City.

Created in 2004, the Hal David Starlight Award – named for legendary lyricist and SHOF Chairman Emeritus Hal David – supports young songwriters whose original music has made a significant impact on the industry.

Halsey’s music has earned over seven billion streams globally, eight million global sales, and 18 RIAA certifications. Her most recent album, 2017’s hopeless fountain kingdom, hit the No. 1 spot on Billboard chart, and her single “Without Me” topped the Hot 100 last fall.

“I’ve watched Halsey grow over the last five years and every record seems to be better than the last one, so I’m delighted that she’s being recognized in this much deserved way,” SHOF Chair and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Nile Rodgers says in a statement.

Fellow inductees this year include Missy Elliott, producer/songwriter Dallas Austin and Yusuf, the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens.

Halsey joins previous Hal David Starlight Award recipients including Sara Bareilles, Ed Sheeran, Nick Jonas, Taylor Swift, John Legend, Drake, Jason Mraz, John Mayer, and Rob Thomas.

JUSTIN BIEBER PENS ROMANTIC LOVE POEM TO HIS WIFE HAILEY BIEBER – (04/10/2019)

Justin Bieber took to Instagram to post a romantic poem for his “one true soulmate,” Hailey Bieber.

“Sunlight falls into the Abyss/ Just like i fall into your lips/ Waves crash onto the shore/ My love for you grows more and more,” the 25-year-old singer starts the poem. “Sound of the crickets a true meditation/ I think about you, Gods greatest creation.”

Justin continued his grand romantic gesture by telling Hailey he falls more in love with her each day and that she has given him “so much strength, support, encouragement and joy.” Justin ended the post saying he wanted to “publicly honor” his new spouse before wishing her good luck at a photo shoot.

Justin published the poem alongside a photo of Hailey from a Maxim photo shoot last year. The singer recently announced via Instagram that he is taking a temporary hiatus from making music to focus more on himself and his family.

ARIANA GRANDE IS TRADEMARKING ‘THANK U, NEXT’: Ariana Grande has reportedly filed to trademark the phrase “Ariana Grande Thank U, Next” so she can use it on a variety of beauty products. Among the products she’s got in mind: perfumes, colognes, body lotions, bath and shower gels, body scrubs, body powders and body mists. In addition to “Cloud,” Ari’s other fragrances include “Moonlight,” “Sweet Like Candy,” “Ari” and “Frankie.” Ariana will perform at Coachella this Sunday.

SARA GILBERT LEAVES THE TALK: Sara Gilbert is leaving CBS chatfest The Talk, she announced Tuesday. “This is something that I have been struggling with for a while, and going back and forth, but I’ve decided that it’s time for me to leave the show at the end of this season,” an emotional Gilbert said to gasps from the audience. “I obviously love it here, and like I said, this was extremely difficult. Last season, I did The Conners and was also producing and [hosted] here. I loved it and felt totally empowered, but also, if I’m being honest about it, my life was slightly out of balance. I wasn’t able to spend as much time with my three kids as I’d like, or take time for myself.” Last September, Julie Chen stepped down after her husband Leslie Moonves was fired as CBS CEO. 

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REEBOK DENIES BEYONCE WALKED OUT OF MEETING DUE TO LACK OF DIVERSITY – (04/08/2019)

Reebok has denied reports that Beyonce walked out of a meeting due to lack of diversity. ESPN reported during a segment on Rachel Nichol‘s show The Jump that Beyonce had a meeting with the brand to talk about a possible deal for her clothing line Ivy Park and ended walked out of the meeting when she saw that no one that worked at the company looked like her.  It was announced last week that Beyonce signed a deal with Adidas and they will relaunch her Ivy Park line.

According to TMZ, a rep for Reebok said in a statement, “The report that Beyoncé walked out of a meeting with Reebok due to lack of diversity is categorically false. Our discussions with Beyoncé and her team continued for several months after our initial meeting. We are disappointed that false information is being reported as fact.”

No word on why a deal with Beyonce and Reebok fell through.

BEYONCE PARTNERS WITH NETFLIX TO BRING HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DOCUMENTARY – (04/08/2019)

Beyonce just announced she’s teaming up with Netflix to bring fans a film inspired by her 2018 Coachella performance.

The film, titled “Homecoming” will premiere on April 17 and will use her college-themed performance last year as a focal point. This follows the announcement Beyonce made earlier this year, that her BeyGood initiative will hold a Homecoming Scholars Award Program.

Homecoming will feature the performance, and it is speculated that the Netflix documentary will also include unseen footage of Beyonce.

Back in 2017, the superstar had to postpone her performance at Coachella due to her pregnancy, which she made up for a year later with a show that included a marching band, matching yellow uniforms, and choreography that was reminiscient of a college event.

CARDI B SAYS SHE’S GOING BACK TO HER ‘OLD SELF – (04/08/2019)

Cardi B says she is going back to her old self — since people are going to judge her for her past anyway. A fan tweeted to the rapper, “I love you ALOT but I don’t agree with the messages you’ve been sending us young girls. So many of us look at you as a role model and that should send a very loud message.”

She responded, “For these past two years I been watching what I say and I haven’t been myself.I been feeling trap and sad cause it’s not ME but everybody tell me to be it for me to be this ‘rolemodel’ and guess what ? People still spit my past right in my face so for now imma be my old self again.”

OFFSET SAYS HIS WIFE IS THE REASON ‘H*ES’ STARTED RAPPING

In other news, Offset received backlash after taking to Twitter last week to proclaim that his wife is the reason “h*es” started rapping. In the now deleted tweets, the Migos rapper said, “all you h*es rap cuz of my wife.” He added that Cardi B gave women “hope to not suck d**k the rest of ya life and catch money.” When one fan replied saying that female rappers clearly existed before Cardi, he replied saying that the world followed suit after “Bodak Yellow.”

He later clarified his statement, ” Every bartender stripper with the dream of getting out the club it’s nun wrong with that but my wife help guide ur life to try to rap . . . not talking bout established artist like the legands and the ones before Cardi.”

He added,  “Lets make a bet my girl against any artist man or woman.”

‘AVENGERS’ ASSEMBLE TO SUPPORT $5M DONATION TO SICK KIDS – (04/08/2019)

Marvel’s Avengers have assembled to support a $5 million donation to benefit sick kids around the world. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd and Brie Larson were on hand Friday to unveil the massive donation of Marvel money and toys to charities and children’s hospitals at Disney Resort. 

Disney donated $1 million to Starlight Children’s Foundation, which brings fun and education to kids with chronic illnesses around the world. The LEGO group, Hasbro, Funko and Amazon came together to donate more than $4 million to children’s hospitals in the U.S.

“More than any time, it’s a time to give back to these courageous kids who inspire us,” said Downey, who stars as Tony Stark, or Iron Man.

After announcing the donation, Avengers: Endgame (Johansson, Renner, Rudd and Hemsworth) stars visited kids at the local Boys & Girls Clubs. 

“It’s not a bad day in the office when you get to come to Disneyland,” said Johansson, who plays Black Widow. “I’ve been a huge fan of Disney for like forever. I come from a big, Disney-loving family. To be here with my fellow Avengers and all these kids, it’s just great. It’s such a great way to spend the day.”

Social media embraced their generosity, though some asked why Chris Evans wasn’t there. Endgame drops April 25^th. 

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BRITNEY SPEARS CHECKS INTO ‘WELLNESS FACILITY’ – (04/04/2019)

Britney Spears is taking some time to focus on her well-being as she deals with her father’s illness.

The 37-year-old singer is “distraught over her dad’s illness,” TMZ reports. Britney announced a hiatus early this year after it was revealed that her father, Jamie, had suffered from a ruptured colon. The publication is reporting that his condition is “quite serious and not getting better.” He has reportedly had two surgeries with the second being recent, but he’s been having complications.

Britney reportedly checked herself into the facility last week and will remain there for 30 days. Moments before that news broke, Britney took to Instagram to post a quote that read “Fall in love with taking care of yourself, mind, body and spirit.” She captioned the post, “We all need to take time for a little ‘me time.’ :)”

A source close to the Spears family tells People that Britney has been having a tough time dealing with her father’ illness following his hospitalization late last year. “Her dad being sick has taken a toll on her,” the source says. “He nearly died and actually had another surgery a few weeks ago. He’s not doing well. They’re so close and it has been a lot.” The insider adds, “There is nothing dramatic going on with her — she just realized she needs to make sure to take time to care for herself.”

Back in January, Britney announced that she would be cancelling her Britney: Domination Las Vegas residency and putting her career on hold to be there for her dad.

Britney’s boyfriend Sam Asghari shared a message of strength and support for the singer. The 25-year-old fitness guru and trainer posted a message on his Instagram saying: “It isn’t weakness, it’s a sign of absolute strength, people should only be inspired by this, at least I am,” he wrote.

SUGAR RAY’S MARK MCGRATH REVEALS HE’S GOING DEAF – (04/04/2019)

Mark McGrath has revealed that he is going deaf, and that it “absolutely” worries him.

The Sugar Ray frontman shared the news during an interview with Daily Mail TV, saying, “I’m deaf now. I cannot hear anymore.” He said:

[“It’s years and years of being on the road and being two feet in front of symbols and drums. So high frequencies I can’t hear anymore.”]

“I’ll be listening to people and they’ll tell me their names and I can’t hear anymore. It’s scary because my job is hearing,” he went to say.

“Even Huey Lewis and the News has recently had to stop touring because of the ears,” McGrath added, referring to how the ‘80s rocker before recently suffered a similar fate.

McGrath said that his doctors urged him to use in-ear monitors to protect his ears from further damage, but he did not heed their warnings. “Fortunately for the new generation, they have in-ears. I’m dumb enough not to use them though. I still need the sight sounds and smells of a concert and that includes the auditory part, but unfortunately, mine’s going,” McGrath admitted.

“You can’t repair your hearing. Once it goes, it goes. You can hope to stop the damage. It’s absolutely a worry of mine,” he continued. “I mean no one’s ever coming to hear a high C like a Mariah Carey show from me, thank God. So I’m slowly adding one in-ear at a time and taking efforts, but you’re right, it’s either pay me now, or pay me later.”

McGrath, who is still currently touring and has live performances scheduled through the end of the year, explained that he’s been urged by audiologists to wear in ears, a type of hearing aid, while he continues to perform.

The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant went on to joke that he pursued music so he wouldn’t have to worry about his health, but his perspective has shifted in the past year. “It’s funny, I got into music and rock n’ roll not to worry about any of this: business, mindsets, health. I wanted to party, I’m in a band, that’s what you do,” he said. “And then life catches up to you and reality happens and by the grace of God we became a band, also, I found myself running a multi-million dollar corporation.”

MILEY CYRUS CRITICIZED FOR CLIMBING FRAGILE JOSHUA TREE IN CALIFORNIA – (04/04/2019)

Miley Cyrus is under fire for posting two photos of herself sitting in an endangered Joshua tree.

The singer posted pictures of herself wearing a floral bodysuit and climbing a protected Joshua tree in Palm Springs. In one photo, she hangs on a branch and captions it “Monkey Bizzzzznassssss.” In another, she sits in the tree while looking down at the camera, writing, “Looking down at all the petty drama like….”

Now, she’s being criticized by members of the local community because the Joshua trees are endangered and fragile. Many called for Miley to remove the photos from her social media so she doesn’t inspire anyone else to climb on the trees.

Mojave Desert Land Trust executive director Geary Hund said Joshua trees have a shallow root system and that any extra weight can damage tree branches. Miley has yet to remove the photos, but her comments on the pics have since been disabled.

According to the National Wildlife Federation, Joshua trees are not trees but succulents – “a type of plant that stores water.” The plant can grow up to 9 feet tall before it branches. They are most commonly found in the Mojave Desert in southwestern region of the United States. The plants have a long life and one tree located in California is believed to be more than 1,000 years old.

IMAGINE DRAGONS’ DAN REYNOLDS & WIFE AJA EXPECTING FOURTH CHILD; LAUNCHES MONSTER PAIN THE AS – (04/04/2019)

Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds and his wife Aja Volkman are expecting their fourth child together, just two months after they decided to reconcile.

“I’ve been on the road for a decade now. I’m looking to take a little bit of time off. I have three little girls, and well, I have one on the way,” the 31-year-old singer told People. “I actually haven’t told anybody that. There it is. The news is out. We just found out we’re having a boy [in] October.”

The couple share twins Gia James and Coco Rae, 2, and big sister Arrow Eve, 6. Their son will likely be the last child for the spouses, Reynolds explained, joking that “four already feels like a million kids,” adding, “I think we’re done.”

Back in April of 2018, Dan and his wife announced they were separating after seven years of marriage. Then, this past January, they announced they were reconciling. Reynolds and the Nico Vega frontwoman, 32, tied the knot in 2011 and started growing their family one year later.

Amid the happy news of a new baby on the way, Reynolds launched Monster Pain the AS on Wednesday – a national campaign to raise awareness of a disease he has been battling for more than a decade called ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The chronic inflammatory condition of the joints can lead to extreme pain and in worst cases, spinal fusion. Reynolds is one of the estimated 2.7 million people in the U.S. thought to have AS and is using his voice in hopes of encouraging others living with persistent, unexplained back pain to seek diagnosis and care. His brother also suffers from the debilitating disease.

To make AS “mainstream,” Reynolds is partnering with the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation on their Monster Pain in the AS campaign. “I want people to get started on this process and go to website [monsterpainintheas.tumblr.com] where they can take a three-minute quiz to see if they have AS and hopefully get started on the process that took me years to figure out,” he says. “My diagnosis has been life-changing in every possible way just because I saw a rheumatologist. That’s why those three minutes of taking the quiz are so important.”

“It’s like a monster that’s just on your back. Just continually dragging you down [and] pulling you down,” he said of the campaign’s “cheeky” slogan.

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