*at the Aretha tribute* SZA: sqOIt $qöiTT oN neEgAs i- Aretha Franklin: pic.twitter.com/HpGUwCvzxC — “Habari Gani?” (@jamKartel) December 27, 2018 Hilariously Petty Reactions To Aretha Franklin Tribute Lineup By now, you’ve probably seen the Grammys’ star-studded Aretha Franklin tribute lineup scamper across your feed and maybe even wondered if it’s a real thing that’s actually happening in real life. Well, it absolutely is, and hosted by Tyler Perry–no, seriously. Now, we already know Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Patti LaBell and BeBe Winans are going to KILL IT but it’s the SZA, Alessia Cara and Alicia Keys part of the lineup that sparked hilariously petty chaos across Black Twitter. This should’ve been Sza’s reaction as soon as they called her to do an Aretha tribute pic.twitter.com/nKFAPNRWO5 — Mocha Gangster (@Mrknowitalll_) December 27, 2018 Peep the pettiest reactions to the Grammys’ Aretha Franklin lineup on the flip. Continue reading →
Source: Christian Weber courtesy of GQ / Christian Weber courtesy of GQ Singing competition shows, like American Idol and The Voice , have bee around for decades–and they’ve supplied some of industry’s most successful talent throughout the years. Despite singers like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood being discovered on television and making a name for themselves, we haven’t gotten to see that same process happen within hip-hop….well, not yet at least. VH1 did take a stab at making a similar hip-hop competition show with The-Dream , Rick Ross , and Lenny S. just last year, though it didn’t quite produce any long-lasting stars like we might have hoped. But if anyone can save the day, it’s Netflix–and they’re coming through to create a brand new hip-hop competition series titled Rhythm + Flow . The popular streaming service has landed an interesting trio of talent to judge for the show: Cardi B , Chance the Rapper , and T.I. Rhythm + Flow is going to be a ten-part hip-hop talent search set to debut in 2019. This upcoming project has an impressive musical pedigree from the hosts alone, but on top of the upfront talent, the show is also hailing from John Legend and his Get Lifted Film Co. Not only can we expect to see some new breakout talent on the series, but there’s bound to be some absolutely hilarious moments as well. Cardi B is obviously no stranger to reality television; her absolutely insane rise to fame makes a lot of us forget that it’s only been 2 years since she appeared on VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: New York . Chance the Rapper has also been expanding his portfolio beyond just rapping recently, starring in 2018 horror-comedy Slice and hosting an episode of Saturday Night Live . As for T.I., we all know that he is a reality fixture of his own–appearing in a variety of vehicles across the Viacom platforms, including his own series with his family T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle on VH1. Rhythm + Flow comes to Netflix from executive producers John Legend, Jeff Gaspin, Jesse Collins, Nikki Boella, Jeff Pollack, Mike Jackson, and Ty Stiklorius. The series intends to find and foster undiscovered hip-hop talent across multiple cities. Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, and T.I. will serve as the three main judges, though additional artists and industry personalities will be announced in the run-up to the premiere. Is this new show something you can get behind, or are you totally over competition shows?
At this point, pretty much everyone on the planet would prefer that Kanye West keep his political opinions to himself. Even those who agree with his MAGA-centric views probably feel that their case isn’t helped by Yeezy rambling about alternate universes and boasting that he’s off his meds during visits to the Oval Office. Kanye often claims that he doesn’t care what others think of his worldview — but we know that’s not true. Yeezy is easily upset by other people’s responses to his opinions, and the closer the rapper is to those people, the more sensitive he becomes. These days, the situation is so dire that Kim Kardashian’s rumored exhaustion with West’s political rants has led to yet another round of Kim and Kanye divorce rumors . And it seems Mrs. Kardashian-West is not alone in her frustrations. Kris Jenner appeared on Ellen this week, and the world’s most successful momager had much to say on the topic of her outspoken son-in-law: “Kanye’s an amazing son-in-law. He’s an amazing dad and husband and friend and brother-in-law. So we know my son-in-law, Kanye,” Jenner prefaced before going in on the dude. “My job as a mom is just to be there for my kids and be supportive and love them.” Asked about Kanye’s political views, Kris kept it civil while subtly making her distaste very clear: “You can’t control what somebody else is doing. I can’t always control what any of them do at any time,” she said. “But I think what I really want to do is be there to help him and be the best version of himself that he can be.” Kris continued to couch her remarks in reluctant praise for her “eccentric” son-in-law, an act that became exceedingly difficult while talking about Kanye’s visit to the White House and his plans for a futuristic Air Force One. “It was very spontaneous,” Kris remarked. “And the stuff that they were talking about, when they got to the airplane, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s so Kanye.” From there, Kris basically talked about Kanye like he’s an over-excited toddler: “He was sharing thoughts and things of himself. But I would rather he share some of that stuff privately. Obviously, that would be great.” The shade continues as Kris reveals that no one saw this crap coming: “He does have different sides to him and this is a side that nobody’s seen before,” she tells Ellen. “Kim always says, ‘I can’t control what somebody else does,’ and I feel the same way.” It’s anyone’s guess as to whether or not those rumors of Kim taking a break from her marriage are accurate, but at this point, we’re guessing she’s very much looking forward to Kanye moving to Chicago . View Slideshow: 14 Things Kanye West Actually Said in His Meeting with Donald Trump
This week, Megyn Kelly finally realized that blackface is not okay. NBC finally realized that Megyn Kelly isn’t okay , either. But who will replace her? A stunning report says that NBC has already approached Kelly Clarkson to take on the role. According to numerous reports, Megyn Kelly met with NBC higher ups on Friday morning to negotiate her departure from the network. RadarOnline reports that NBC is eyeing a familiar, less controversial face to replace her: Kelly Clarkson. According to an insider, executives “think it might be perfect time to give her Today time slot to Kelly [Clarkson].” The source explains that she is a star “who has a huge fan base and is extremely well-liked and relatable.” And as an added bonus, they’re both blonde women with Kelly in their names, so maybe some viewers won’t even notice. One of Megyn’s reported troubles at the network wasn’t about bad ratings or a flagrant, tone-deaf defense of racism. It’s been said that she just hasn’t been getting along with the other big names at the network or really fitting in. In contrast, an insider says, the NBC crew “love” Kelly Clarkson. Kelly already “is a huge part of the NBC family,” a source says, because of her role as a judge on The Voice . This could mean that everything, from contract negotiations to her interactions with colleagues, could go more smoothly. Whether you think this is a good idea or a step in the wrong direction, it sounds like things are already in motion. An insider shares that NBC has already “approached” Kelly Clarkson about taking on this new role. (We should note that it’s possible that this person is misinformed, because of another upcoming project of hers, but we’ll get to that) She, an insider notes, is “willing to take on any job thrown her way.” Hey, we’re all out getting this bread. The stars are the same. There’s an obvious perk of hiring Kelly Clarkson. “Kelly is the most non-biased person on the planet,” an insider points out. Or, at the very least, she’s a nice person, the source notes, “and does not have an ounce of racism in her.” It’s true that Kelly is not really the type of person to slam people or drag their names through the mud. Off of the top of our heads, the only person we can think of whom she’s ever spoken ill of is disgraced music producer Dr. Luke. And, honestly, who hasn’t spoken ill of that creep? We cannot confirm that NBC is looking at Kelly Clarkson for this role. For one thing, she’s … not a news anchor. She can clearly do more than sing, though. And The Kelly Clarkson Show is already a thing that begins airing on NBC next year. After this debacle, we imagine that NBC wants to let Kelly Clarkson do her own show before the give her one of the biggest platforms on network television. We’re sure that she’ll be an amazing host, but NBC will probably want the ratings to prove it before they boost her to Today , right? At the end of the day, despite her long and controversial history, Megyn Kelly isn’t really being given the boot over being racist. Her defense of blackface was the straw that broke the camel’s back at most. More like, it was just an excuse. She was the highest paid anchor on television, but her ratings didn’t reflect that at all. Many have taken to social media to point out that NBC is probably just seizing this opportunity to give her the boot because she’s bad at her job. In case you are, for some reason, feeling sorry for her, don’t. She’s already made a lot of money, she’ll probably get more when she leaves, and she’ll almost certainly get yet another chance at some other network. View Slideshow: 11 Times Megyn Kelly Was Really Very Racist
The Blind Auditions were dragged out even further on Monday’s episode of The Voice. But there was one silver lining: The first duo in years made it to the Blind Auditions, but how did the couple fare? OneUp (Team Kelly) – “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” Adam and Jerome got close to each other while shooting a music video, and decided it was time to form a duo. The issue, however, is that their vocals did not mesh well together. They would have been wiser to audition as solo acts. Kelly probably only took them on because it was so different to have a duo in the game. If they can dial back the confidence, they might be able to adapt. Natalie Brady (Team Adam) – “Barracuda” This 33-year-old Nashville singer showed up on the stage and immediately made it her own. With solid vocals and a great stage presence, she could be one to watch. The surprising thing was that she only got two chair turns, but she could be a success story with Adam’s help. Mike Parker (Team Jennifer) – “So Sick” Mike was quick to point out that he lost all of his scholarships because his grades were not up to scratch. He turned to a career in construction, but he could probably carve out a career in music. His audition was solid, and we’re sure he will be a great addition to Team Jennifer. Erika Zade (Team Kelly) – “New Rules” Erika is the 20-year-old daughter of a rocker from Miami. She with Dua Lipa’s hit single for her audition, and let’s just say it was not what we expected. She put her own unique spin on it, but was there anything beyond that audition that she could accomplish? We have no idea. Jarred Matthew (Team Adam) – “Tired of Being Alone” Jarred went with an Al Green classic, and his vocals hit astronomical heights. He had a lot of confidence, not as much as OneUp, and that’s a good thing. Out of all the performers Monday night, he is the most likely to make it further into the competition. He has the look of a superstar, so that’s a positive. It will all come down to whether his chances are ruined by horrid song choices. Kayley Hill (Team Blake) – “Gold Dust Woman” Anybody who can tackle a Fleetwood Mac number should automatically get a four-chair turn. There, we said it. Kayley was another solid performance, but she was a casualty of the short auditions. Maybe the producers wanted to save her best for the Batlle Rounds. Kirk Jay (Team Blake) – “God Bless the Broken Road” This 22-year-old country singer turned in a striking performance that got the coveted four-chair turn. He was confident and knew what was expected of him, and he set out to prove to everyone that he should be kept in the game. In the end, he went to Team Blake, and that’s a good thing. What are your thoughts on the latest performances? The Voice continues Tuesday on NBC. View Slideshow: The Voice Winners: RANKED!
The Voice Season 14 is a go, and that can only mean one thing: A new wave of singers will engage in a fight to the death with the aim of emerging with a recording contract, some recognition, and hopefully, some staying power. The judging panel consisted of Kelly Clarkson and Alicia Keys, and of course, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. The latter two are likely going to be with the show until the bitter end at this stage. Why leave when you’re getting a healthy salary, and some recognition? The show still rates very well, so there’s that. Let’s break down the first batch of Blind Auditions to see who emerged from the rest, and who is already circling the drain. Britton Buchanan – “Trouble” 17-year-old, Britton, took to the stage first and his voice was one you would expect to make far into the competition. It was filled with solid moments. The kid looks like someone you would expect to be in a boyband from the 1990s, but he’s got just enough charisma for an entire band. He advanced to the next stage. Let’s face it; there would have been shouting from the streets if he was sent packing after that performance. Rayshun LaMarr – “Don’t Stop Believing” While Britton had a lot of charisma, Rayshun did not. His performance of the Journey classic was stilted, and not very pleasant to the ears. It was not a great first attempt, but he advanced to the next stage. Will he be able to get a handle on his voice before it’s too late? Kyla Jade – “See Saw” Once upon a time, Kyla was a backup singer for the one and only Jennifer Hudson. Her solo performance on The Voice was something else. She needs to make a clause in her contract with the show that only allows her to perform Aretha Franklin songs because there was something so compelling about her performance. She knew what was expected of her and went the extra mile. More like this, please! Kelsea Johnson – “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” This 21-year-old delivered a performance that was full of energy, excitement, and talent. She kept control of her beautiful voice throughout. In turn, she was rewarded with a spot in the next stage of the competition. Not bad. Drew Cole – “Sex and Candy ” Drew is a 25-year-old bartender who “did not move to Los Angeles to be a bartender.” The good thing about him is that his voice is different enough from the others in the competition. On a show like The Voice, it’s essential to make a lasting impression and Drew accomplished that goal. D.R. King – “Believer” D.R. struggled throughout his performance. It was not the most stable and made us wonder whether there was something else going on. Maybe he could not get on board with the whole being on the show thing, but still, we’re surprised he made it through to the next stage. Justin Kilgore – “Tomorrow” Well, this may be our new contender to win the whole thing. He secured a four-chair turn that found the coaches battling to get the kid on their team. He was polished and seemed to know what sound he was going for. That’s a big positive, and it means the coaches will get an early lead if they get him on board. Kelly secured Justin, and all was right in the world! What did you think of the latest season opener? The Voice continues tonight on NBC. View Slideshow: The Voice Winners: RANKED!
Mickey Jones, the beloved character actor who amassed more than 100 credits over the course of his career has passed away at the age of 76. A statement from Jones’ family indicates that he had been battling an illness that resulted in several hospitalizations in recent months. The statement did not offer any specifics regarding the nature of the illness. While Jones’ name may not be familiar, if you’re a film and television fan, you’re almost certainly familiar with his face. He belongs to the class of character actors so instantly recognizable that they’re known to elicit shouts of “that guy!” from audiences. Jones’ imposing size, signature beard, and tremendous versatility made him an intimidating presence in crime dramas and an unexpected source of laughs in lighthearted comedies. While it might be his role as Tim Allen’s rugged, yet unexpectedly sensitive friend Pete Bilker on Home Improvement for which Jones is best remembered, the gentle giant left his mark on countless esteemed projects over the years. In addition to his work on such iconic television shows as MASH, Entourage , and Bones , Jones turned in memorable performances in such films as Total Recall, Sling Blade , and Tin Cup . Prior to his acting career, Jones made a name for himself as a drummer for various high-profile rock and roll acts. Before making the switch to Hollywood, he backed such legends as Kenny Rogers and Bob Dylan. In 2009, Jones published a memoir entitled That Would Be Me . The title was taken from his Home Improvement character’s signature catchphrase. Thousands of tributes to Jones have been pouring in on social media since his death was announced Wednesday afternoon. It’s a testament to the length and diversity of his career that he’s being remembered by film and television fans from various generations, and for projects as varied as Baywatch and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia . Mickey Jones is survived by his wife, Phyllis Jean Starr, and their two children. Our thoughts go out to his loved ones during this difficult time. View Slideshow: Celebrities Who Died in 2018: In Memoriam
It seems like just yesterday that we were hearing who won Season 13 of The Voice , but Season 14 will be here before you know it. This year, Kelly Clarkson is joining the The Voice as one of the coaches. But … apparently things aren’t all smiles behind the scenes. In fact, a report claims that Clarkson is a total diva backstage and almost impossible to work with. 35-year-old Kelly Clarkson first rose to fame on the inaugural season of American Idol . From her humble, “white trash” beginnings — her words — she skyrocketed to stardom with a successful music career. As much as fans hate when Kelly Clarkson says stupid things , they love to see her shut down body-shamers in a very down-to-earth way. Mostly, they love her music. Now, she’s joining Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, and Alicia Keys as a coach on The Voice . But, according to RadarOnline ‘s source, Kelly Clarkson’s alleged diva behavior is causing some tensions and unhappiness and the season hasn’t even begun to air. Apparently, there are a number of problems. “She’s not the person that everyone thought she was going to be.” Based upon Kelly Clarkson’s branding, people probably expected a down-to-earth, minimal-nonsense singer with humble roots who is hesitant to bash anyone. And the source gets pretty specific about what they got instead. “She is bossy and argumentative.” Apparently some of the problems began before she even walked in the door. “The other judges, especially Blake, already had an issue with her.” That issue, it seems, was financial in nature. “Because of the amount of money they reportedly paid her to join the cast.” But it goes beyond the bottom line and extends to promos. “One of the main issues is that producers are making Kelly a central focus on everything.” This sounds familiar. “And she is also taking center stage on all of the promos that are being shot so far.” You know how Kate Mulgrew was famously unhappy with how Jeri Ryan become front-and-center on every billboard and ad for Star Trek: Voyager back in the ’90s? This sounds like that same kind of resentment — but with personality issues to make things personal. The source goes on to list Kelly Clarkson’s other alleged grating habits. “She comes in when she wants to.” Oooh, that’s never good. And very diva. “She seems to think that it is all one big game.” I mean, it is literally a talent competition. It’s a game. (But we get their meaning, here — her alleged behavior is unprofessional to an off-putting degree) “At the same time, she is overly certain that she will win this season.” Cavalier and cocky at the same time? Yikes. “Of course Blake is irritated with Kelly! Everyone is.” Blake’s come up more than once, perhaps because we’ve heard some things about Blake Shelton’s alleged diva behavior , too. It sounds like they both need a dose of reality. They’re on The Voice . Nobody gets to put on airs when they’re judging a reality series. No matter how much they’re getting paid.
Getty Images Artists At Sunday’s Grammys Ceremony Will Show #TimesUp Support White roses are reportedly going to be worn by several artists at this Sunday’s Grammys ceremony, in order to show support for the #TimesUp movement. Roc Nation’s Meg Harkins and Interscope/Geffen/A&M’s Karen Rait are the masterminds behind the demonstration, and did so after noticing that the ceremony was approaching and nobody else had any plan in place to show solidarity, according to reports from Billboard . Earlier this week, both Harkins and Rait met with a group of 12 other women in the music industry—collectively known as Voices in Entertainment—for dinner in New York City. The white rose was selected as a nod to the use of the color white for suffragettes in the past. Harkins said about the planned demonstraion, “It is an important conversation politically in our country and it’s also a conversation we need to have internally with our artists and our companies…We need to say if anyone is feeling like they’re being discriminated against and they don’t feel safe in their workplace, they have people who will support them.” Among the artists who will be wearing a white rose to Sunday’s ceremony are Halsey, Dua Lipa, Tom Morello, Kelly Clarkson, Rapsody, Cyndi Lauper, and Rita Ora.
The carpet may have been red at the 2018 2018 Golden Globes Awards, but nearly every celebrity who walked on it was dressed in black. This was their way of making a statement in support of the #MeToo Movement and, especially, in support of all victims of sexual harassment of misconduct. Who looked best in his or her outfit? Who actually smiled for once while making a public appearance? Scroll down to find out! 1. Heidi Klum at the Globes Heidi Klum rocked this black dress at the Golden Globes. What do you think of it? 2. Dakota Johnson at the Globes Fior Dakota Johnson, it was Fifty Shades of Sexiness at the Golden Globes. 3. Chrissy Metz at the Globes Chrissy Metz donned this black dress to show support for sexual assault victims at the Golden Globes. 4. Catherine Zeta-Jones at the Globes Catherine Zeta-Jones also went all black in honor of the #MeToo movement at the Golden Globes. 5. Kelly Clarkson at the Globes Kelly Clarkson is one of our favorite celebrities around. Full stop. 6. Tracee Ellis Ross at the Golden Globes Tracee Ellis Ross stands behind victims of sexual assault victims. Hence, her outfit at the Golden Globes. View Slideshow
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