Nelly and Ashanti are in the headlines over what fans believe is a rekindled romance. The stars were spotted in Vegas this weekend at the boxing match between Gervonta Davisand Ryan Garcia, and according to Page Six, were hand in hand as they exited the venue.
They also performed their 2008 collab “Body On Me” at a pool party held at TAO Beach Dayclub, where they shared a dance. Videos of the stars circulated the web, prompting reactions from fans aware of their dating history — the two dated on and off for a decade in the early 2000s.
Even Bow Wow chimed in, with a suggestion that Nelly marry the “Foolish” singer.
“Yo mo! I know we not seeing eye-to-eye either,” he wrote in a comment on Instagram. “But from little bro to big bro, STOP PLAYING AND MARRY THIS WOMAN BRO! You like 50. Sit your old a** down. this your queen.”
(NEW YORK) — Twitter reversed a major change to its subscription policy over the weekend by reverifying some legacy accounts, including ones belonging to dead celebrities like Michael Jackson and Kobe Bryant.
The Elon Musk-owned social media platform last week removed blue checkmark verification from its legacy users as part of revamp of Twitter Blue, a subscription service that grants purchasers the site’s signature checkmark and additional posting capabilities.
However, the company appeared to return the verification checkmark for some popular accounts over the weekend, eliciting outcry from some widely followed users who clarified that they had not paid for the service.
In addition, Twitter appeared to reverify accounts for some dead celebrities, including Anthony Bourdain, Chadwick Boseman and Norm Macdonald, among others.
It was not immediately known whether Twitter reverified the accounts or individuals operating the accounts on behalf of the deceased figures had subscribed to Twitter Blue.
Twitter did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, said that he personally paid for subscriptions for accounts belonging to basketball star Lebron James, actor William Shatner and author Steven King. In a tweet, King called on Musk to “give my blue check to charity.”
James received an email from a Twitter employee informing him that Musk had paid for a complimentary subscription but James did not respond to the email, the Verge reported.
Chrissy Teigen, a model with nearly 13 million Twitter followers, reacted to the return of some legacy verification check marks in a tweet: “wait I’m crying they’re giving them for punishment now.”
Teigen, like some other celebrities, appeared to remove the check mark by briefly altering their Twitter handles, the usernames anchored to their accounts.
Previously, Twitter verified celebrities, politicians, journalists and prominent figures on a case-by-case basis in an effort to authenticate their identities and prevent impersonation.
Under Twitter’s new subscription service, users gain access to account verification for an $8 monthly fee, which amounts to $96 per year.
“Until now, Twitter used the blue checkmark to indicate active, notable, and authentic accounts of public interest,” the company said on its website.
Twitter delayed by a few days the initial release of a revamped Twitter Blue in November over concerns about impostor accounts posing as prominent figures or organizations.
To address impostors, Musk said the site would permanently suspend users who attempt to impersonate others, unless the speech is clearly marked as parody.
The reversal of the subscription policy change for some legacy users marks the latest shift at Twitter since Musk acquired the company in October for $44 billion.
Days after Musk purchased Twitter, the company began layoffs that ultimately cut roughly 75% of its 7,500-person workforce, raising concerns about Twitter’s capacity to maintain its platform.
Twitter suffered a user outage in February that lasted for hours and required an emergency fix, prompting an apology from the company.
The outage came hours after Twitter announced that subscribers to Twitter Blue would be permitted to post longer messages than other users.
For his part, Musk has defended his actions at Twitter as part of an aggressive effort to rescue the company from financial peril, which he described in a Twitter Spaces interview in December as an “emergency fire drill.”
“That’s the reason for my actions,” he added. “They may seem sometimes spurious or odd or whatever.”
The policy change over legacy verification came during a difficult week for Musk, who watched on Thursday as a SpaceX rocket Starship exploded minutes after takeoff.
Still, Musk congratulated the workers behind the rocket launch and vowed to try again later this year.
“Learned a lot for next test launch in a few months,” Musk tweeted.
With one week left to go in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Fan Vote, two icons of ’80s music, George Michael and Cyndi Lauper, are the leading the ballot. Another ’80s music icon who was inducted in 2021, tells ABC Audio that she’d love to see Cyndi get the honor.
Go-Go‘s singer Belinda Carlisle has known Cyndi for a while and worked with her a few years ago. Early in 2023, Belinda and Cyndi were two of five famous female singers who teamed up to sing on “Gonna Be You,” a Diane Warren song from the soundtrack of the movie 80 for Brady.
For her part, Belinda says Cyndi definitely deserves a spot in the Rock Hall.
“Oh, absolutely. I think she’s a one of a kind,” Belinda tells ABC Audio.
“And she has an amazing voice, and she’s done a lot of really good work outside of music,” Belinda adds, referring to Cyndi’s many charitable initiatives. “So I think that she definitely deserves that. And so does Cher, by the way.”
While we wait to find out whether or not Cyndi’s made the cut, Belinda says she hopes that she, Cyndi and the rest of the “Gonna Be You” singers — Gloria Estefan, Blondie‘s Debbie Harry and Dolly Parton — will one day be able to team up for a join performance of the track.
“I did my vocals in Mexico City. That’s where I live,” explains Belinda. “Everybody did their part separately in the video and the track. But I’m really hoping that something comes along where we can all sing the song together in the same room.”
Meanwhile, Diane Warren also penned all the songs on Belinda’s upcoming EP Kismet, which is coming out May 5. The first single, “Big Big Love,” is out now.
Carrie Underwood is extending her in-demand REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency at Resorts World Theatre with three additional shows.
The newly added dates are December 13, December 15 and December 16.
“We had a blast on the road with THE DENIM & RHINESTONES TOUR, but it’s always nice to come back ‘home’ to Resorts World Las Vegas to continue REFLECTION,” shares Carrie, who recently wrapped her headlining 43-city trek.
“This show is truly a celebration of all my music, and I love having the chance to welcome fans from all over the world who come to see us in Vegas,” she adds.
Tickets for Carrie’s three additional shows go on sale Friday, April 28, at 10 a.m. PST. American Express card members can access a presale happening from Tuesday, April 25, at 10 a.m. PST to Thursday, April 27, at 10 p.m. PST.
For a full list of Carrie’s Las Vegas Residency dates, and to grab tickets and VIP packages, visit axs.com/carrieinvegas.
(NEW YORK) — CNN anchor Don Lemon tweeted that he’s been terminated from the network.
Lemon said he’s “stunned” and learned the news from his agent.
CNN tweeted that the network and Lemon “have parted ways.”
“Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years,” CNN said in a statement. “We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors.”
The news came hours after Lemon co-hosted CNN This Morning alongside Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins.
Lemon wrote on Twitter, “At no time was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved at the network. It is clear that there are some larger issues at play.”
CNN CEO Chris Licht told employees the network is “committed” to the “success” of CNN This Morning.
Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx has shared his thoughts on the legal battle between the band and former guitarist Mick Mars, who has suggested he was forced out after retiring from the road, not the band. But Sixx doesn’t see it that way.
“If a member of a band tells you that they can’t tour because of health reasons, you have two choices,” Sixx tells Planet Rock. “You can quit as a band (after) 42 years of work. Or we could look at each other and go ‘are we done yet?!’ We’re really peaking, and we understand (Mick’s) health issues.”
He adds, “We wish him the best and we know that he’s a little bit confused and being misled by representatives right now. But we still have to stay focused on why we’re here.”
As for the future of group, Sixx says Mars’ replacement, John 5, has brought renewed energy to the group. Sixx says that the band seems to “play differently” with new blood in the mix, noting, “We’re still playing the same songs that people wanna hear but it kind of like re-inspires you.”
He adds, “It’s a nice time (for Mötley Crüe) and it’s kind of inspired us to write a little bit. We love our history, we’re very proud of everything we’ve done. We’ve always been really supportive of Mick no matter what Mick was going through. We’re just happy with where we’re at right now.”
Jimmie Allen and his wife, Alexis Gale, are separating.
In an Instagram statement posted on Friday, April 21, Jimmie wrote: “After much thought and reflection in recent months, Lex & I have made the decision to separate. As we navigate this life change, we can also share that we will be welcoming another child together later this year.”
He added, “Our number one priority is and always will be ensuring that our children are healthy, happy and loved, and we remain committed to co-parenting with love and respect for one another. In light [of] our growing family, we respectfully request privacy during this time.”
(NEW YORK) — TV host Tucker Carlson and Fox News have “agreed to part ways,” Fox said in a statement Monday.
The news comes nearly one week after the $787.5 million settlement agreement between Fox and Dominion Voting Systems. Dominion’s suit had accused Fox News of recklessly airing false election claims and conspiracy theories in the wake of the 2020 presidential election.
Drake‘s run on the upcoming It’s All A Blur Tour with 21 Savage has expanded yet again. After adding 14 dates to the trek last month, the rapper has announced 12 new dates, bringing his outing to a total of 54 shows across North America.
New shows have been added in Columbus, Memphis, Denver, Austin and Charlotte, while Glendale and Nashville now have two dates to see Drake. Additionally, fans in Inglewood and Brooklyn will have an opportunity to secure tickets for a fourth show in both cities.
Originally scheduled to kick off July 5 in Chicago, the It’s A Blur Tour will now begin June 29 in Memphis and end with two new back-to-back dates in Drake’s hometown of Toronto.
Shows originally set to take place June 16 through July 2 will be rescheduled between September 14 and October 2. Ticket holders will receive further details.
Ticket sales for the new dates on the It’s All A Blur Tour will start April 26 with the Cash App Card and Sprite presales, followed by additional presales. The general sale starts Friday at 12 p.m. local time at drakerelated.com.
Metallica‘s new album 72 Seasons has debuted on the Billboard 200 with the biggest sales week for a rock record in nearly four years.
The 11th studio effort from the “Enter Sandman” metallers enters the chart at #2 with a total of 146,000 equivalent album units, 134,000 of which were traditional album sales. The last rock record to put up bigger numbers in its first frame is Tool‘s 13-years-in-the-making Fear Inoculum. Following its release in August 2019, the album moved 270,000 units, 248,000 of which were traditional album sales.
72 Seasons is the bestselling album of the week and, in the olden days, that would’ve been good enough for a #1 debut on the Billboard 200. However, since December 2014, Billboard has incorporated streaming numbers into the Billboard 200 ranking, which factor into the “equivalent album units” total.
With those streaming numbers, country star Morgan Wallen‘s chart juggernaut One Thing at a Time stays at #1, with a total of 166,000 equivalent album units, only 12,000 of which were traditional album sales.
Surely this won’t stick in the craw of Metallica fans, who may or may not still be bitter about Jethro Tull winning the first metal Grammy in 1989 over …And Justice for All.
Metallica will launch a worldwide tour in support of 72 Seasons April 27 in Amsterdam. The trek comes to the U.S. in August.
