BOB IGER FORGOES DISNEY SALARY – (03/31/2020)

The Walt Disney Co. said Monday that executive chairman Robert Iger will forgo his salary amid the coronavirus crisis, which is creating economic havoc around the world. Disney has recently put tentpoles like Mulan and Black Widow, starring Scarlett Johansson, on hold until the pandemic passes. 

CEO Bob Chapek will take a 50% pay cut, according to an internal email obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. Other executives will also see their salaries trimmed. This news comes days after the company opted to keep all North American theme parks closed until further notice.

“As we navigate through these uncharted waters, we’re asking much of you and, as always, you are rising to the challenge and we appreciate your support,” Chapek said in his email. “Your dedication and resilience during this difficult time are truly inspiring and it gives me renewed confidence that will we come through this crisis even stronger than before, we have so many tome in our company’s history.” 

Last year, Iger earned $47.5 million; Chapek’s base salary is $2.5 million, with an annual target bonus of $7.5 million and a long-term incentive grant of $15 million. The cut only applies to Chapek’s base salary. 

All told, Hollywood is facing a $20 billion loss from coronavirus, observers say. 

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POST MALONE STAGING CELEBRITY BEER PONG TOURNEY FOR COVID-19 RELIEF – (03/31/2020)

Post Malone is teaming with his friends, rappers MIKE and Machine Gun Kelly, to stage a celebrity beer pong tournament on Instagram Live.

Dubbed the “Ballina Cup,” the event will feature 16 teams, and those participating will pony up cash to help those battling the coronavirus pandemic. The tournament will take place next week and will last eight days, with two battles per night. Each participant will compete from home, following social-distancing guidelines. The winning team will get a trophy and championship belts to mark their victory.

Among those reportedly participating will be former football stars Johnny Manziel and Rob Gronkowski, Gronkowski’s girlfriend, Sports Illustrated Swim model Camille Kostek, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce, country music star Kane Brown, and baseball stars Trevor Bauer and Mike Clevinger.

Sportsbooks are listing Detroit Lions wide receiver Danny Amendola as the +500 favorite to win the Ballina Cup.

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Full Story: Deadline

LIAM PAYNE DONATES 360,000 MEALS TO FAMILIES IN NEED AMID PANDEMIC – (03/31/2020)

Liam Payne is donating to the Trussell Trust in the UK to provide 360,000 meals to families affected by the ongoing world health crisis.

“It’s not right that anyone in our country is unable to afford food. Food banks do incredible work to help the people most in need of support. It’s vital that we get support to those people right now, as this crisis unfolds,” Liam tweeted about the donation. Liam’s donation will help to support 100 food banks in Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry, Sheffield, Nottingham and Bristol and others across the UK.

Liam also pointed out that his donation isn’t only meant only for the current crisis but for all of the Trussell Trust’s work into the future.

“I’m also donating because of the work they do to work towards a future where no one needs a food bank – we can’t end the conversation with getting emergency food to people – as vital as that is,” he explained. “When we’re out the other side of this, we need to look at why there are people in our country who don’t have enough money for food. I want to play my part in finding a solution to ensure people have enough money to buy their own food – and end the need for food banks.”

On Twitter, Payne’s former One Direction groupmate Louis Tomlinson applauded his generosity.

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Full Story: Times Herald

LIZZO BUYS ER STAFF LUNCH: “Good as Hell” Lizzo is feeding ER staff across the country, including at the University of Minnesota affiliate in Minneapolis, the city where she got her start. She is sending overworked staff lunch there and at hospitals across the country. (Page Six)  

SAM SMITH TO RENAME ‘TO DIE FOR’ ALBUM, DELAYS RELEASE: Sam Smith will rename their forthcoming album, originally titled To Die For, and delay the album’s release due to the coronavirus outbreak. Smith sent “love and strength” to those who have been affected by the COVID-19 virus. They explained how the album’s original title and release date no longer feel right in the current environment. Smith’s third album was originally slated for release May 1st, and features the singles “To Die For,” “Dancing with a Stranger,” “How Do You Sleep,” “I Feel Love” and “I’m Ready.”

TWITTER REACTS AS PRINCE CHARLES EMERGES FROM CORONAVIRUS ISOLATION AFTER WEEK – (03/31/2020)

After seven days of self-isolation, Prince Charles is ready to mingle. The 71-year-old and his wife Camilla have been self-isolating apart as she did not test positive for coronavirus. 

Clarence House confirmed Monday that “having consulted with his doctor, the Prince of Wales is now out of self-isolation,” after his diagnosis with coronavirus. 

Twitter was less than impressed. Wrote one critic: “So, Prince Charles is out of self-isolation, seven days after it was reported he had tested positive for coronavirus. This proves the UK is different from te rest of the world, where the WHO experts say it should be 14 days. We are ‘special’ as a country aren’t we.”

Another wrote: “Clarence House announced that Prince Charles was out of self isolation. I’d like to announce there’s been 1228 deaths in the UK. Many I suspect didn’t get an opportunity to jump the queue. Added to which what about all the untested heroic NHS staff? Three eminent doctors died!”

Buckingham Palace has not commented on whether Queen Elizabeth, 93, has been tested for coronavirus. She was in contact with both Charles and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who also tested positive for coronavirus, just prior to their positive test results. 

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