Celebrity Scoop – 03/23/2020
Crossover country superstar Kenny Rogers dies at 81: Kenny Rogers, who embodied “The Gambler” persona and whose musical career spanned jazz, folk, country and pop, has died at 81. A representative says Rogers died at home in Georgia on Friday night. The Houston-born balladeer with a husky voice had hits like “Lucille,” “Lady” and “Islands in the Stream” with Dolly Parton. He sold tens of millions of records and was the star of TV movies, making him a superstar in the late ‘70s and ’80s. With his silver beard and folksy charm, the Grammy winner excelled as a musical stylist for more than six decades.
RIHANNA’S FOUNDATION GIVES $5 MILLION TO FIGHT CORONAVIRUS: Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation is joining the global fight against coronavirus by giving $5 million to the response efforts. The funding will be channeled through CLF’s partners at Direct Relief, Partners In Health, Feeding America, the International Rescue Committee, World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and others.
HOLLYWOOD REACTS AS ANDY COHEN TESTS POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS – (03/23/2020)
What What Happens Live host and Bravo producer extraordinaire Andy Cohen has tested positive for coronavirus, he told fans on Friday.
He shared the news on Instagram, writing: “After a few days of self-quarantine, and not feeling great, I have tested positive for Coronavirus. As much as I felt like I could push through whatever I was feeling to do #WWHL from home, we’re putting a pin in that for now so I can focus on getting better.”
His famous friends, including Hoda Kotb, Mark Ronson, Bob Saget, sent him their best. John Mayer wrote: “Rest up. Love you with all my heart.”
“Praying for you Andy! Feel better soon!” Vanderpump Rules‘ Brittany Cartwright wrote.
“Love you Andy,” actor Donnie Wahlberg wrote.
“We all love you Andy! Rest and Feel better soon please,” actress Kate Hudson said.
“Rest up, Andy. So sorry to hear this,” singer Donny Osmond wrote.
Several Housewives stars also weighed in wishing him the best. Cynthia Bailey, who recently hung with Cohen on his show, and told The Shade Room: “I saw him almost 2 weeks ago. I feel fine and have not had any symptoms of the virus. As far as I know the others ladies are good. We want to continue to send our prayers to Andy and hope he makes a speedy recovery.
Others encouraged Cohen to use his platform to help make testing more available to non-famous people in the U.S., an increasing point of contention as the famous and powerful report their positive status and ordinary Americans who are sick struggle to access tests.
“[C]an you please voice the concerns of those who can’t even attain a test bc it’s unavailable to them, or they can’t afford it, & are afraid,” poet Charlyne Yi wrote.
Other celebrities, including Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Idris Elba, Olga Kurylenko, Kristofer Hivju, Rachel Matthews, Indira Varma and Daniel Dae Kim are among those who also tested positive.
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IDRIS ELBA’S WIFE SABRINA TESTS POSITIVE: Idris Elba’s wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba has tested positive for coronavirus, after Idris tested positive last week. The pair are quarantined in New Mexico. They told Oprah Winfrey on Apple TV+’s Oprah Talks: “We didn’t change the way we interacted. I could have made a decision to put myself maybe in a separate room or stay away, and I’m sure that people are making those decisions that are tough decisions to make. But I made the decision to be with him and still touch him.”
SOPHIE TURNER SLAMS EVANGELINE LILLY? Sophie Turner wants everyone to self-isolate. The Dark Phoenix star took to Instagram to criticize those who refuse to keep to themselves. “Here’s the tea,” Turner began on Instagram Stories. “Stay inside. Don’t be f**king stupid, even if you count your freedom over… your health.” She didn’t call Lilly out in person, but the Lost star did tell fans previously: “Let’s be vigilant right now. And kind. Watchful and gracious — keeping a close eye on our leaders, making sure they don’t abuse this moment to steal away more freedoms and grab more power.”
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN PENS OP-ED ASKING MOVIEGOERS FOR HELP – (03/23/2020)
Director Christopher Nolan is asking moviegoers for help. In an op-ed in The Washington Post, the director of classics like Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Insomnia, Momento, Inception and Interstellar argues that movies are more than “the stars, the studios, the glamour.”
He writes: “the movie business is about everybody: the people working the concession stands, running the equipment, taking tickets, booking movies, selling and advertising and cleaning bathrooms in local theaters. Regular people, many paid hourly wages rather than a salary, earn a living running the most affordable and democratic of our community gathering places.”
He referenced the havoc coronavirus is creating, infecting more than 300,000 and killing more than 13,000, closing movie theaters and all non-essential businesses in many states and cities.
Nolan writes: “In this time of unprecedented challenge and uncertainty, it’s vital to acknowledge the prompt and responsible decisions made by all kinds of companies across our country that have closed their doors in full knowledge of the damage they are doing to their business.”
He continues: “there are parts of life that are far more important than going to the movies.” But he adds, “But, when you consider what theaters provide, maybe not so many as you might think.”
Nolan argues: “We don’t just owe it to the 150,000 workers of this great American industry to include them in those we help, we owe it to ourselves. We need what movies can offer us.”
Nolan’s next film, Tenet, is due to drop July 17th.
As movie theaters go dark, many studios shift to the online world. Disney+ made Frozen 2 available online ahead of schedule, and Universal followed suit, making The Hunt, Emma, The Invisible Man and DreamWorks animation Trolls World Tour available to rent. Sony Pictures’ Bloodshot, starring Hollywood heavyweight Vin Diesel, will be available online soon.
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