Tag Archives: george-michael

Adele Swears, Stops, Restarts George Michael Tribute at Grammys

The 2017 Grammy Awards were Adele's night, with so many unforgettable moments attributed to her, it's hard to know where to start. Her tribute to the late George Michael stood out in particular, though, because of how she flubbed it – then recovered in amazing fashion. About a minute into her performance honoring the music icon, who died on Christmas 2016, Adele put a stop to it and asked for a re-do. She briefly cursed and asked the band to restart her rendition of “Fastlove, pt. 1,” saying she didn't want to mess this one up for Michael. Referring to the show's producer Ken Ehrlich, and the technical issues that plagued her performance last year, she said, “I'm sorry Ken.” “I know it’s live TV; I’m sorry I can’t do it again, like last year. I’m sorry for swearing. I’m sorry for starting again. Can we please start it again?” “I’m sorry … I cant mess this up for him. I’m sorry.” “I’m sorry for swearing! I’m really sorry. Sorry.” It was worth it. Adele went on to turn in a beautiful, stunning tribute, in which scenes from Michael's iconic career played on screen.  You can watch it in its entirety below. She received a standing ovation – perhaps even bigger than the one that followed the show-opening Adele “Hello” Grammy performance . It was an unorthodox, but moving take on the track. “Adele chose to sing ‘Fastlove, pt. 1’ herself,” reveals an Adele source. “That was her pick. She really wanted to perform that song.”  The song is normally mid-to-up-tempo, but given his recent passing at the age of 53, Adele's slower, orchestral version was perfect. Michael would have likely been touched by it. “He would smile and be so proud that this artist is performing this song,” James Corden, the host of the event, said of Adele's performance. Just as Bruno Mars honored Prince at the Grammy Awards, Michael received a fitting send-off after his life ended far too soon last year. Michael sold over 100 million records during his career, first as a teen idol and later as an introspective, boundary-pushing solo artist. The openly gay, two-time Grammy winner was an innovator in the studio and on stage, and a dedicated philanthropist in his personal life. It's no surprise that his legacy has touched so many brilliant performers across generations and around the world, this one among them. As for Adele, she won Album of the Year last night, though if you take her word for it, it was Beyonce who truly deserved to win the honor. “I’m very humbled and I’m very grateful and gracious, but my artist of my life is Beyoncé,” the 28-year-old singer told the audience. Clearly wanting to stay on the Beyhive's good side, she added: “This album to me, the Lemonade album, was just so monumental. It was so monumental and thought-out and so beautiful and soul-baring.” “We all got to see another side to you that you don’t always let us see and we appreciate that,” Adele told a beaming Beyonce Sunday. “All us artists here adore you. You are our light!” Fans also apparently learned, over the course of that same speech, that the notoriously private Adele is married to Simon Konecki .  Quite a night! Watch her tribute to Michael:

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Adele Swears, Stops, Restarts George Michael Tribute at Grammys

Phylicia Rashad’s Daughter Condola Rashad Is Now Engaged

Love is certainly in the air when the holiday season rolls around. And we’ve seen many surprise engagements via social media that have melted our hearts. Well, the sappiness continues with Phylicia Rashad’s daughter, Tony award-nominated actress Condola Rashad, and we couldn’t be happier. Over the weekend, Rashad’s boyfriend and fellow actor Sebastian Vallentin Stenhøj, proposed to her on a boat ride during their Mexico vacation. [ madamenoire ] From Marvin & Tammy To Big Sean & Jhene Aiko: 9 Modern Day Musical Duos There’s something to be said about the collaboration of two talented artists. And while many of the following dynamic duos might not achieve, legendary iconic status for their work together, they certainly had their moment or two. And for that, we have to give props. When I first heard that Big Sean and Jhene Aiko were coming together to work on an album, I was hesitant, to say the least. But after listening, I actually ended up buying a few of their songs. Something about the sound of their voices together just works. And they’re pretty adorable as a couple as well. [ madamenoire ] Dave East Makes His Acting Debut On Being Mary Jane Dave East has entered the next level of rap stardom, acting. The Harlem MC makes an appearance on BET’s Being Mary Jane. Fresh off the success of his well-received mixtape Kairi Chanel, an XXL Freshman spot and a new deal with Def Jam Records, Dave East is ready for another close-up. In a clip promoting the new season of BET’s Being Mary Jane, East is seen playing himself, a new rapper on the rise who isn’t quite used to being interviewed on a national television show. He appears in the scene rapping a verse from his 2015 song “KD” and then doing an interview with the Mary Jane character played by Gabrielle Union, who also happens to be a fan of East in real life. [ hiphopwired ] Rosie O’Donnell Calls Trump ‘Mentally Unstable’ [ tmz ] A LIT Don Lemon Downs Shots, Gets Ear Pierced And Talks Dating And Relationship On Air [ hellobeautiful ] Pipeline Protesters Arrested After Spectacular NFL Stunt [ iheartradio ] ISIS Claims Istanbul Nightclub Attack That Claimed 39 [ huffingtonpost ] George Michael’s Boyfriend Blames Twitter Hack on Singer’s Attempted Suicide Claims [ balleralert ]

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Phylicia Rashad’s Daughter Condola Rashad Is Now Engaged

The Curse of 2016: Why Have So Many Celebrities Died This Year?

In the comments section for her latest post on the blogging site Medium, a writer named Judy Anne was heavily criticized for her overly-simplistic explanation for why so many beloved celebrities prematurely passed away in 2016. Like so many of us, Judy Anne is desperate to make somehow make sense of how the entertainment world could be shaken by so many tragedies in a single 12-month span. Unlike the rest of us, she claims to have the answer. Judy believes that a rise in the use of illicit substances is to blame for the endless string of famous deaths that marred the past year. Thankfully, dozens of Medium users were quick to point out the foolishness of her argument. (The fact that she felt the need to refer to George Michael as “an enthusiastic cannabis user” – as though that habit played any role in his death – certainly didn’t help her case.) Were some beloved entertainers felled by substance abuse over the past year? Sadly, yes. The most obvious example is the death of Prince , who overdosed on the fentanyl, which he had been using to treat chronic pain. But the celebrities who left us in 2016 did so in myriad ways, ranging from freak accidents to unthinkable acts of violence to old age. By now, you’ve likely heard the jokes about the awfulness of 2016, joined in the mourning when an entertainer whose work touched your life passed before their time, and wondered aloud why so many celebrities died in such a short period of time. Of course, despite what Judy Anne would have you believe, there’s no indication that a new addiction epidemic is sweeping Hollywood. No, the real reasons that stars seem to be falling in record numbers are more complex and far less scandalous: For starters, the number of entertainers, athletes, politicians, and other public figures who could be described as famous exploded in the years after World War II. As television entered households, entertainment options expanded, and faces were matched with the names of America’s favorite stars. With each ensuing decade, the number of celebrities increased, sometimes exponentially. The Internet opened the doors for a new breed of media personality by eliminating the need to follow the traditional paths to fame. In short, there are more celebrities now than ever before, and because the pop cultural landscape we know today began to take shape in the mid-20th Century, many of those stars are getting on in years. So part of the reason it seems like so many famous people are dying is because we’re feeling the after-effects of the celebrity boom that began in the late ’40s and early ’50s. Sadly, that means the trend of beloved showbiz icons passing on in astonishing numbers is likely to continue in the years to come. Of course, the fact remains that some of the stars who left us this year were not  baby boomer legends, but young phenoms who had yet to show us what heights they could achieve. Anton Yelchin, Christina Grimmie, Joey Feek, Phife Dawg, and Dave Mirra ranged in age from 22 to 45, and they all left this world well before their time in 2016. There deaths remind us that there’s no way to fully make sense of the tragedies that hit Hollywood this year. We can point to the increase in the number of celebrities, the proliferation of media that brings our attention to deaths we may not have known about, and plain old horrendous luck, but as anyone who’s ever mourned a loved one knows, attempts to make sense of the loss of a life that touched your own are usually in vain. Perhaps all we can do for now is be grateful for the stars who are still with us and hope for a better year ahead. View Slideshow: Celebrities Who Passed Away in 2016: Gone, But Not Forgotten

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The Curse of 2016: Why Have So Many Celebrities Died This Year?

George Michael Liked To Make Us Watch

George Michael was given to embracing new forms, be it instruments, the burgeoning medium of music videos, or his own continual reinvention throughout his career. He was a white British kid who loved the sounds of Motown, and later, house music, and bringing soulfulness to everything he did. In the ’80s, pop was becoming an… Read more »

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George Michael Liked To Make Us Watch

Till The End Of Time: George Michael 1963–2016

By Michaelangelo Matos [dropcap]Few[/dropcap] pop stars so transparently wanted to be liked as George Michael. Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in London in 1963, he grew up in the suburb of Bushey and began dreaming of pop stardom at age 7. “It’s not the something extra that makes a star — it’s the something that’s missing,”… Read more »

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Till The End Of Time: George Michael 1963–2016

R.I.P. George Michael Died Of Heart Failure At The Age Of 53

George Michael Died Of Heart Failure At The Age Of 53 We reported last night that singer George Michael tragically passed away at the age of 53 . A publicist for the Wham! leader confirmed that he “passed away peacefully”, in his sleep today at his Oxfordshire, England home. “It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period,” said the publicist. TMZ sources close to George claim the iconic singer died from heart failure and sleeping throughout the episode and suffered no pain. Read this legendary letter to George from Frank Sinatra: Sinatra’s classic 1990 letter about George Michael and “the tragedy of fame”: #LATimes pic.twitter.com/rRNRlJShV4 — Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) December 26, 2016 Rest in power to George Michael!

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R.I.P. George Michael Died Of Heart Failure At The Age Of 53

George Michael: Mourned, Honored by Stars Everywhere

2016 has claimed about celebrity. On Christmas Day,  George Michael died at the age of 53 of heart failure. One of the most influential singers of his generation, Michael will be greatly missed by fans around the world. And also by his fellow stars. Scroll down and all around to read social media reaction to his unexpected passing… 1. Madonna Farewell My Friend. Another Great Artist leaves us. Can 2016 F— Off NOW? 2. Linda Evangelista I am beyond heartbroken and devastated by another tragic loss. R.I.P. dearest Georgy. #GeorgeMichael #ripgeorgemichael 3. Christy Turlington It’s a blue Christmas without you #GeorgeMichael Thank you for your soulful music and open heart. 4. James Corden I’ve loved George Michael for as long as I can remember. He was an absolute inspiration. Always ahead of his time. 5. La Toya Jackson You have given the #world an amazing gift! What a #talent! What a #loss! We will continue to love you! #RIP George Michael! 6. Ricky Gervais Unbelievable. RIP George Michael. View Slideshow

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George Michael: Mourned, Honored by Stars Everywhere

George Michael Cause of Death: Revealed

As previously reported,  George Michael is dead at the age of 53. The unexpected passing of this pop music icon was made public by Michael’s publicist on Sunday night, with Connie Filippello issuing the following brief statement to The BBC: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period. “The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.” At the time of this sad announcement, most media outlets speculated that George Michael died of heart failure. And this speculation has now been confirmed by the singer’s longtime manager, Michael Lippman. “I’m devastated,” Lippman said told The Hollywood Reporter, explaining that he received a call on Christmas morning notifying him that Michael had been found “in bed, lying peacefully.” The precise time of death is not known at this time, but there was “no foul play whatsoever,” says Lippman. Expect funeral plans to be announced shortly. While Michael had battled a few health problems over the years, this fatal incident of heart failure was not expected. There was no signs in the days leading up to the artist’s death that he was gravely ill. The Thames Valley Police, has referred to the the death as “unexplained but not suspicious,” sending The Hollywood Reporter a statement that reads as follows: “Thames Valley Police were called to a property in Goring-on-Thames shortly before 2pm Christmas Day. Sadly, a 53-year-old man was confirmed deceased at the scene. “At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious. A post mortem will be undertaken in due course. “There will be no further updates from Thames Valley Police until the post mortem has taken place.” Michael rose to fame in the 1980s as part of Wham!, the duo created with his good friend Andrew Ridgeley. As a solo artist and as a member of this tandem, he was responsible for 10 number-one hits on the Billboard 100 chart. Among his best known and most beloved? “Faith,” “I Want Your Sex,” “Father Figure,” “One More Try” and “Careless Whisper.” Overall, Michael released five solo albums: Faith, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, Older, Songs From the Last Century (a covers/standards albums) and Patience. He also came out with a pair of greatest hits sets. His first live album, Symphonica, ended up being his final album; it released in 2014. In the wake of his passing, an endless array of stars took to social media in order to express their condolences: View Slideshow: George Michael: Mourned, Remembered by Stars Everywhere But great friend and frequent collaborator Elton John stands out, having recorded many times with Michael over the years and having admired him as a friend and as a singer. “I am in deep shock,” he wrote on social media alongside a photo of the stars, adding: “I have lost a beloved friend—the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans. #RIP.” We did not know Michael personally, but we also send along our thoughts and prayers to his loved ones. The world of music has lost yet another legend far before his time, when he had many years remaining to release many more influential singles and albums. Moreover, Hollywood has lost yet another legend in general. Click below for a tragic look at all the stars who died in 2016. May they rest in peace… Celebrities Who Died in 2016: A Tribute

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George Michael Cause of Death: Revealed

Singer George Michael Dies At 53

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Iconic British singer George Michael, who rose to fame with the 80s pop band Wham!, has died, according to multiple reports.

Singer George Michael Dies At 53

Rest In Power: Singer George Michael Passes Away At 53

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2016 has claimed another icon. George Michael, the singer and former member of the pop group Wham!, has died at 53, multiple sources confirm. The 80s pop icon “passed away peacefully at home,” according to his publicist. Police reported that the death is so far unexplained, but there were no suspicious circumstances. Of his death, his […]

Rest In Power: Singer George Michael Passes Away At 53