Alicia Keys had been dying to host a masquerade ball, but she had no clue what or when the right occasion would be. Then, it came to her: her Holiday Masquerade Ball will air December 21 at 7 p.m. PT on Apple Music and Apple Music’s TikTok page.
“I was so young from the beginning [of my career] that there’s a lot of things I haven’t done. And one of those things I haven’t done is a masquerade ball,” she said.
Alicia had also never recorded a holiday album, hence her recently released Santa Baby.
“It just feels like there’s such a classic-ness to [a holiday album]. There’s such a timelessness to it,” she said. “I want to be a part of those greats, of those ones that you play every year, all the time. You love it. That’s why I wanted to create brand new classics, and honor the originals and the timeless ones.”
The masquerade ball will see Alicia perform those records, as well as some of her career hits. She said the event looks a lot different than her previous shows.
“If you’ve been to the tour, you never seen this before. You just haven’t. And so every arrangement is going to be different and new, and it’s going to definitely bring us into the spirit, the festivity,” she said. “You have to get dressed and you have to have a mask. This is happening. This is an event. I’m calling it Glitter and Glamour.”
“You’re bringing your elegance, but there’s no specific way that that exactly looks,” she continued. “But you do want to get dressed. You want to put on. You got to light up the place.”
(WASHINGTON) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s trip to Washington is being treated as a mini state visit – one with extraordinary security implications, according to multiple sources familiar with the plans.
Hundreds of law enforcement and intelligence officials have been activated and the U.S. Secret Service will be the lead agency as he heads to the White House and speaks to Congress Wednesday.
“From the moment he lands and walks down those stairs of his plane, he will have a Secret Service security detail,” one official told ABC News.
“He will have that detail until he gets on the plane to leave,” the official said.
The Secret Service will provide the vehicles for his motorcade and will be assisted with the motorcade by Prince George’s County police and Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police.
Zelenskyy will have his own Ukrainian security detail with him as well.
Don Mihalek, a former United States Secret Service agent told ABC News the Secret Service protects all foreign heads of state while on U.S. soil.
“The Secret Service is responsible for the protection of all visiting foreign heads of state,” he said. “They will mobilize a multi-agency security umbrella to ensure his visit is kept safe.”
Security officials at the most senior levels of government are “very” concerned about the prospect of something happening during the visit and when he returns home, domestically or abroad, one source told ABC News.
Zelenskyy’s trip to Capitol Hill will be similar to State of the Union security preparations because of the high level nature of the address, the official said.
“Being that they are at war with the Russians, not only is there threats potentially from Russian agents, and Russian collaborators, but there will also be threats from those that oppose Ukraine’s independence and other nations that might have a vested interest in seeing that Ukraine is not successful,” Mihalek, an ABC News contributor said.
According to an email sent to staff at the Capitol and obtained by ABC News, security measures will be “significant.” The email says only staff and members will be allowed in the House wing past a certain time.
The Secret Service also is consulting with the Capitol Police, CIA, FBI and other intelligence agencies about the security environment. Every Capitol Police officer will be on standby, according to one law enforcement official.
“We are very cognizant that Russia has assets in this country and might try to do something,” one senior official said. “We know what is at stake.”
The U.S. is aware that early on in the conflict the Russians apparently plotted to kill Zelenskyy and the official expressed concern that news of Zelensky’s visit broke so early about him coming to the United States. It would have been much better, he said, if our adversaries had less time, not more time, to think about doing something and to move assets and operatives around.
The official went on to say he is concerned about Zelensky’s security once he leaves the country.
“Putin and the Kremlin know he has to get back to home,” the official said.
(NEW YORK) — Sam Bankman-Fried agreed to extradition in a Bahamian court on Wednesday, clearing the way for his transport to the U.S. to face federal charges.
The disgraced former CEO is expected to be put on a U.S. government plane for a flight to New York.
“I hereby consent in writing to be extradited without formal extradition proceedings,” Bankman-Fried said in a signed affidavit.
He took the witness stand to confirm his signature and that his decision was voluntary.
“I therefore formally commit you to custody while you await your extradition,” Magistrate Shaka Serville said.
The move came a day after Bankman-Fried signed extradition papers in the Bahamas, where he lived in a multimillion-dollar mansion, after waffling on the decision since his initial court appearance last week.
Bankman-Fried was arrested last week in the Bahamas after federal prosecutors in New York filed an eight-count indictment including allegations of fraud and conspiracy.
He had been expected in court Tuesday but did not appear, even as his lawyers and U.S. consular officials waited for two hours.
At a court hearing last week, Bankman-Fried declined to waive his right to challenge extradition to the U.S. However, multiple sources familiar with the matter told ABC News ahead of a court hearing on Monday that Bankman-Fried had reversed his position and was prepared to waive extradition, setting up a move to custody in the U.S.
At the court hearing on Monday, however, Bankman-Fried did not waive his right to deny extradition as expected, instead asking to see a copy of the U.S. indictment and speak to his New York-based attorney.
Bankman-Fried has been held in the medical ward of the island’s Fox Hill prison, after an application for bail was denied when a judge determined he was too much of a flight risk.
In addition to the criminal charges, Bankman-Fried faces related civil lawsuits from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
There are more than $8 billion in customer losses, said Gretchen Lowe of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, a federal agency.
Some crypto traders, who deposited their savings on the platform, fear they may never get their money back.
John Ray, the new CEO of FTX, who oversaw the dissolution of Enron, told members of the House last week that FTX lacked corporate controls to an extent he had never witnessed, characterizing the company’s conduct as “old-fashioned embezzlement.”
“I’ve never seen an utter lack of record keeping,” Ray said. “Absolutely no internal controls.”
Bankman-Fried, in an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos in November, denied knowing “there was any improper use of customer funds.”
“I really deeply wish that I had taken like a lot more responsibility for understanding what the details were of what was going on there,” Bankman-Fried told Stephanopoulos. “A lot of people got hurt, and that’s on me.”
Janelle Monáe’s been blossoming in Hollywood, most recently appearing in the Netflix film Green Onions, but music may still on the star’s mind. In a recent interview with NME, Monáe teased that new music is on the way.
“Actually, you will,” the singer responded when asked if fans will hear some new tunes soon. “You will get new music because I now have a clone. That clone does all of my music, and I have another clone for acting. I’m not going to tell you if it’s me or not. They’re in the studio right now!”
Monáe’s most recent studio album is 2018’s Dirty Computer. The movie Green Onion is due out on Friday.
The singer will receive the SeeHer Award at the 2023 Critics Choice Awards next year.
Wynonna Judd, Dolly Parton, Shania Twain and more of country’s female powerhouses are getting a special spotlight next month as part of AXS TV’s “Women of Country” programming.
Taking place January 7, the network will dedicate a full Saturday stack to celebrating the impact of legendary women, kicking off at 12 p.m. ET with appearances from Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood on The Big Interview with Dan Rather.
Next up is Dolly, with a look back at her incredible career in The Dolly Parton Story — From Rags to Rhinestones. Hillary Scott and Lady A take the spotlight next, followed by programming that focuses on Taylor Swift, Shania and Wynonna.
The “Women of Country” focus will last through 3 a.m. ET the following day. Tune into AXS TV on January 7 for a daylong celebration of some of country’s female heavy hitters, with profiles, performances and more included in the programming.
Lana Del Rey is apparently making her new album rollout personal.
A billboard advertising the “Video Games” artist’s upcoming album, Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, was reportedly put up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the hometown of Del Rey’s ex Sean Larkin of the reality police show Live PD.
According to screenshots posted by Pop Crave, Del Rey shared photos of the billboard on her personal, private Instagram alongside the captions “There’s only one and it’s in Tulsa” and “It’s. Personal.”
Del Rey and Larkin began dating in 2019 and attended the 2020 Grammys together before breaking up that year. Following the split, Del Rey was reportedly engaged to musician Clayton Johnson.
Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd will be released March 10. It follows Del Rey’s two 2021 albums, Chemtrails Over the Country Club and Blue Banisters.
(WASHINGTON) — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is making a dramatic visit to Washington Wednesday — his first trip outside Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February.
He’s set to visit President Joe Biden at the White House and address Congress as lawmakers vote on $45 billion more in emergency aid, and Biden is expected to announce the U.S. will send Ukraine a Patriot anti-missile battery to defend against devastating Russian attacks.
In a virtual address to U.S. lawmakers back in March, Zelenskyy emotionally pleaded for more aggressive measures to help fight the war. Invoking key American tragedies, including Pearl Harbor and the Sept. 11 attacks, Zelenskyy told members at the time, “Just remember it … Our country experiences the same every day right now.”
Please check back for updates. All times Eastern:
Dec 21, 1:34 PM EST
Zelenskyy arrives at Blair House
President Zelenskyy has arrived at Blair House, which now has a Ukrainian flag flying overhead. Blair House, located across the street from the White House, is the residence where foreign dignitaries often stay when visiting Washington.
Dec 21, 1:21 PM EST
McConnell says more Ukraine aid boosts ‘American interests’
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., made the case for more military aid for Ukraine on Wednesday as some in his party oppose sending more money to the nation.
“The reason that a big bipartisan majority of the American people and a big bipartisan majority in Congress support continuing to assist Ukraine is not primarily about inspiring speeches or desire to engage in philanthropy,” McConnell said on the Senate floor.
“The most basic reasons for continuing to help Ukraine degrade and defeat the Russian invaders are cold, hard, practical, American interests,” he continued. “Helping equip our friends in eastern Europe defeat this world is also a direct investment in reducing Putin’s future capabilities to menace America, threaten our allies and contest our core interests.”
But some in the GOP are questioning the amount of aid being sent to Ukraine, arguing the government should be investing that money domestically. “American taxpayers are literally paying to prop up many countries all over the world in foreign aid, but America is virtually crumbling before our eyes,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene argued in a series of tweets on Wednesday.
Other Republicans argue the need for more oversight of the funds being approved for Ukraine, stating they don’t want to write a “blank check” to Ukraine.
Dec 21, 1:02 PM EST
Zelenskyy continues to take risks for country
From the frontlines of the war in Ukraine to the political frontlines of Washington on Capitol Hill and the White House, Zelenskyy continues to take risks to defend Ukraine and show masterful skill at using language and symbolism to marshal international support.
“Remember Pearl Harbor. The morning of December 7, 1941, when your sky was black from the planes attacking you. Remember. Remember September 11. A terrible day in 2001 when people tried to turn your cities into battlefields. When innocent people were attacked from the air. No one expected it. You couldn’t stop it,” he said in his virtual speech to Congress in March.
“Our country experiences the same every day,” he said.
Zelenskyy made an unannounced visit to the front-line city of Bakhmut on Monday, where Ukrainian and Russian forces have fought a months-long battle. The comedian-turned-politician who was elected to lead Ukraine in 2019, was named Time’s person of the year earlier this month “for proving that courage can be as contagious as fear.”
Dec 21, 12:45 PM EST
Zelenskyy has landed in the US
A U.S. official confirms to ABC News that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has landed in the U.S.
–ABC News’ Sarah Kolinovsky
Dec 21, 12:27 PM EST
‘Significant’ security measures in place at Capitol
Zelenskyy’s trip to Capitol Hill will be similar to State of the Union preparations because of the high-level nature of the address. Security officials at the most senior levels of government are “very” concerned about the prospect of something happening tonight, domestically or abroad, one source told ABC News.
According to an email sent to staff at the Capitol and obtained by ABC News, security measures will be “significant.” The email says only staff and members will be allowed in the House wing past a certain time.
Another official said, “We are very cognizant that Russia has assets in this country and might try to do something. We know what is at stake.”
The source said the U.S. is aware that early on in the conflict the Russians apparently plotted to kill Zelenskyy. The official expressed concern that news of Zelensky’s visit broke so early about him coming to the United States. It would have been much better, he said, if our adversaries had less time, not more time, to think about doing something and to move assets and operatives around.
-ABC News Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas and Luke Barr
Dec 21, 12:19 PM EST
Secret Service leading security for Zelenskyy’s trip
Zelenskyy’s trip to Washington is being treated as a mini-state visit — a visit with extraordinary security implications, according to multiple sources. Hundreds of law enforcement and intelligence officials have been activated for this visit with the U.S. Secret Service tasked as the lead agency.
“From the moment he lands and walks down those stairs of his plane, he will have a Secret Service security detail,” one official tells ABC News. “He will have that detail until he gets on the plane to leave.”
Secret Service is also consulting with the Capitol Police, CIA, FBI and other intelligence agencies about the security environment. One source told ABC News every Capitol Police officer is on standby.
-ABC News’ Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas and Luke Barr
Dec 21, 11:50 AM EST
Schumer compares Zelenskyy to Winston Churchill
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., compared Zelenskyy to Winston Churchill during floor remarks on Wednesday.
“Where Winston Churchill stood generations ago, so, too, President Zelenskyy stands not just as a president but also as an ambassador to freedom itself,” Schumer said.
Churchill, prime minister of the United Kingdom during World War II, addressed U.S. lawmakers in a speech the day after Christmas in 1941 — just weeks after the Pearl Harbor attack.
“Sure I am, that this day, now, we are the masters of our fate,” Churchill told Congress. “That the task which has been set us is not above our strength. That its pangs and toils are not beyond our endurance. As long as we have faith in our cause, and an unconquerable willpower, salvation will not be denied us.”
Schumer said he will “happily join” Congress in welcoming Zelenskyy, and urged Republicans to attend the joint meeting.
“It is a high honor to welcome a foreign head of state to Congress, but it is nearly unheard of to hear from a leader who is fighting for his life fighting for his country’s survival and fighting to preserve the very idea of democracy,” Schumer said.
(NEW YORK) — It’s time to bundle up: this could be the coldest Christmas in decades for parts of the country.
Here’s the latest forecast:
The bitter cold is first hitting Denver, where temperatures will fall from 47 degrees on Wednesday to minus 16 degrees by Thursday morning.
The cold blast will reach the Rio Grande River on Thursday and Friday, bringing the coldest temperatures to the region since the late 1980s. On Friday morning the wind chill — what temperature it feels like — will drop to minus 7 degrees in Dallas and 1 degree in Houston.
Up north, the wind chill Friday morning will be a brutal minus 39 degrees in Minneapolis and minus 37 degrees in Chicago.
The cold air moves east into Christmas weekend.
On Christmas Eve, the wind chill will plunge to a bone-chilling minus 10 degrees in New York, minus 33 degrees in Minneapolis, minus 24 degrees in Chicago and minus 5 degrees in Kansas City.
Even the South will see a below-freezing Christmas. The wind chill is forecast to reach minus 1 degree in Nashville, 4 degrees in Atlanta, 20 degrees in New Orleans and 21 degrees in Dallas.
Bruno Mars is ringing in 2023 with his favorite rum in hand — his SelvaRey brand — at an intimate Las Vegas gathering.
Travel + Leisure reports Bruno and his rum brand will take over the Mayfair Supper Club at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino on New Year’s Eve. DJ Pee .Wee, otherwise known as his Silk Sonic collaborator Anderson .Paak — will also be at the exclusive event.
Only 150 guests will be allowed into the party, which will reportedly serve some out-of-this-world, luxury food offerings like Wagyu steak and caviar. There will also be a four-course meal, live music during an all-night dance party, special SelvaRey cocktails and a champagne toast with Jay-Z and Beyoncé‘s luxury brand Ace of Spades.
A Supper Club spokesperson told the outlet of the party, “The ability to enjoy a luxurious dinner in front of the Bellagio Fountains while Bruno Mars entertains guests steps away is quite the surreal experience.”
Doors open at 9 p.m. local venue time on December 31. You can only grab tickets by calling the venue at 702-693-7355 or by emailing them directly via luxuryexperience@bellagioresort.com.
Elton John‘s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour is paved with gold: It’s topped Billboard‘s list of the highest-grossing tours for the month of November. It’s the sixth time Elton has been number one on that chart, and it extends his record as the artist with the most months at number one overall.
Elton’s eight concerts in November took in a whopping $60.2 million, including $23.5 million alone for his three concerts at L.A.’s Dodger Stadium on November 17, 19 and 20. Those shows represented the final North American concerts of his farewell tour; the show on November 20, featuring Dua Lipa, Kiki Dee and Brandi Carlile, was livestreamed on Disney+.
Since mid-July, Elton’s been playing North American stadiums, and those 33 shows together have brought in a hefty $222 million. Overall, the tour currently ranks as the second-highest-grossing one of all time, behind only Elton’s pal Ed Sheeran‘s Divide tour, which ran from 2017 to 2019.
