Def Leppard is giving fans a taste of their live show without having to shell out money for a ticket.
The band just dropped the new video for the track “Kick,” which is a live performance clip from their 2022 The Stadium Tour with Mötley Crüe, Poison and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.
“Kick” was the first single from the band’s most recent album, Diamond Star Halos.
Next up for Def Leppard, they bring their tour with Mötley Crüe to Latin America and Europe in 2023, with dates kicking off February 18th in Mexico City, Mexico.
(MARBLE FALLS, CA) — Marble Falls High School announced its plans this week to investigate reports of alleged racist behavior by student spectators at a girls basketball tournament on Friday.
The incident at the Texas school, which was captured on camera, depicts several students shouting monkey noises as East Central High School senior Asia Prudhomme, who is Black, was shooting free throws. Marble Falls High School’s student body is almost 50 percent white and only 1.5% Black.
“I’ve always been taught not to pay attention to the stands, so I wasn’t really paying attention to them,” Prudhomme, who successfully sank her free throw, told ABC News. “I was just focused on making my free throws and getting my team back into the game.”
After watching the video of the incident, however, Prudhomme said she was shocked.
“I’ve never had this happen to me,” she said. “I was heartbroken. In my head, I was just thinking why would anybody do this. It’s 2022.”
Marble Falls High School Principal Damon Adams said in a statement that administrators are reviewing video footage and will interview students and spectators who attended the game to ensure a thorough investigation.
He said the school takes the allegations of racism seriously and will “hold students accountable for any behaviors that violate our expectations.”
“As campus principal, I regret that any player or guest in attendance at our tournament experienced anything from our student body that made them feel uncomfortable or devalued,” he said. “I am saddened that the behaviors of a very small number of students could tarnish the impression that others have of the incredible group of kids who make up our student body.”
Marble Falls Independent School District also said in a statement that it will continue to work with administration at East Central High School to fully investigate the incident.
“Marble Falls ISD does not condone any form of discrimination, and we would like players at East Central to know they have our full support,” the statement reads.
Prudhomme said she is asking for a “sincere public apology” from the students who made the noises. Her mother Pamela Prudhomme added that she would also like to see the students suspended.
In September, Katy Independent School District, also in Texas, launched an investigation into reports of spectators making monkey sounds at Patricia E. Paetow High School’s junior varsity volleyball team, made up of predominantly Black and Hispanic girls, during their game against Jordan High School.
Prudhomme, who hopes to play basketball in college and eventually make it to the WNBA, said she is grateful for the support she has received from her coaches, teammates and fans.
“I have a lot of love at my school,” she said. “It’s really building me up to become a stronger person.”
(WASHINGTON) — Measles is an “imminent threat” around the world, according to a new joint report released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
Despite a two-dose vaccine that is more than 97% effective at preventing infection being available for decades, gains made at beating back the potentially dangerous childhood disease have been lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report found that in 2021, nearly 40 million children — a record-high — missed a dose of the measles vaccine. Specifically, 25 million missed their first dose and 14.7 million missed their second dose.
“The paradox of the pandemic is that while vaccines against COVID-19 were developed in record time and deployed in the largest vaccination campaign in history, routine immunization programs were badly disrupted, and millions of kids missed out on life-saving vaccinations against deadly diseases like measles,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in a statement.
“Getting immunization programs back on track is absolutely critical. Behind every statistic in this report is a child at risk of a preventable disease,” the statement continued.
To prevent the disease from spreading and to achieve herd immunity, the CDC and WHO say at least 95% of children need to receive the vaccine.
However, just 81% of children globally have received the first dose and 71% have received the second dose, the lowest coverage worldwide seen since 2008.
Consequently, there were 9 million cases of measles and 128,000 deaths around the world with at least 22 countries experiencing “large and disruptive outbreaks.”
“The record number of children under-immunized and susceptible to measles shows the profound damage immunization systems have sustained during the COVID-19 pandemic,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a statement. “Measles outbreaks illustrate weaknesses in immunization programs, but public health officials can use outbreak response to identify communities at risk, understand causes of under- vaccination, and help deliver locally tailored solutions to ensure vaccinations are available to all.”
When Madonna first released her coffee table book, Sex, in 1992, it caused a worldwide scandal. Now, in honor of its reissue, it’s being celebrated next week at Art Basel Miami Beach, one of the world’s premier art shows and an important event on the global art world calendar.
When Sex first came out, it was sealed in a Mylar bag so you couldn’t page through it in the bookstore. That’s because it was full of photos shot by Steven Meisel that showed Madonna and celebrities like Naomi Campbell, actress Isabella Rossellini and rappers Vanilla Ice and Big Daddy Kane fully nude and simulating various sex acts. Madonna also provided the racy text for the book, which she wrote as a character called Mistress Dita.
Despite the controversy surrounding the book, it sold more than 150,000 copies on its first day in the U.S., and went on to sell more than 1.5 million copies worldwide. It’s been out of print for years, but now, Yves Saint Laurent‘s lifestyle brand, Rive Droite, is teaming with publishers Callaway New York to issue 800 copies. A limited number of those will be signed by Madonna and auctioned off, with proceeds going to her charity Raising Malawi.
In addition, during Art Basel Miami, the brand is putting up a beachfront gallery featuring large-format images from the book — images it describes as “once shocking, now timeless.” You’ll have to be over 18 to visit it, but admission is free; t-shirts and tote bags will also be available if you can’t afford the book.
(New York) — Donald Trump reported nearly $1 billion in operating losses over a two-year period about a decade ago, an accountant testified at the criminal trial of the Trump Organization, spilling into public tax information that the former president has tried repeatedly to keep private.
The accountant, Donald Bender, a partner at Mazars USA, the firm that prepared tax returns for Trump and his company, testified Tuesday that Trump reported losses each year for 10 years from 2009 to 2018.
“There are losses for all these years,” Bender said.
The disclosure at the Manhattan trial of Trump’s family business came the same day the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the IRS is required to turn over six years’ worth of Trump’s tax information to the House Ways and Means Committee.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger questioned Bender about Trump’s taxes during cross-examination as the trial nears an end. The Manhattan district attorney fought for nearly three years to obtain the records, including two appearances before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Hoffinger asked Bender about Trump’s losses in 2009 and 2010, when the company lost nearly $1 billion.
“Do you recall in 2010 Donald Trump had losses of almost $200 million on his personal tax returns?” Hoffinger asked.
“I believe so,” Bender said after examining the records.
“Do you recall in 2009, Donald Trump had, his personal tax returns had losses around $700 million?” Hoffinger followed.
“Sounds about right,” Bender replied.
The staggering losses belie the reputation Trump has carefully tried to cultivate as a shrewd and successful businessman. That image helped carry him to the White House once, with Trump hoping it will again as he now embarks on a new run for president.
The numbers largely mirrored a report in The New York Times in September 2020 when they acquired select portions of Trump’s tax returns.
Trump is not a defendant in the case and the line of questioning had no obvious connection to the tax scheme the Trump Organization is charged with carrying out over a 12-year period when former chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg and other executives were allegedly paid off the books with perks like rent, car leases and private school tuition.
Weisselberg, who has pleaded guilty and testified pursuant to a plea agreement with prosecutors, has aided the defense by saying he hatched the scheme out of his own greed and Trump was unaware. He also testified that the scheme helped the Trump Organization reduce its payroll taxes, assisting the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office prove there was a benefit to the company.
Bender was the first witness called by the defense, which has suggested it was his responsibility to alert the Trump Organization to any fraud but didn’t in order to keep a lucrative client happy.
“Fair to say the Trump account represented roughly two-thirds of the revenue you brought into Mazars?” asked defense attorney Bob Brennan.
“Closer to 60 [percent],” Bender replied.
“But it was your largest account?” Brennan asked. “Yes sir,” Bender said.
Prosecutors showed the jury a letter from Mazars that said the firm’s work for the Trump Organization “does not include any procedures designed to detect errors, irregularities, or illegal acts, including fraud or defalcations, should any exist.”
Bender appeared to help the prosecution when he testified that Weisselberg never told him the company was paying his rent and other personal expenses tax-free.
“At any time before the year 2021, did you actually know that The Trump Corporation and Donald Trump were paying these personal expenses as part of Allen Weisselberg’s compensation and not reporting them to the tax authorities?” Hoffinger asked.
“No, ma’am,” Bender answered.
“If you had known all of that at that time, what would you and Mazars have done?” Hoffinger asked.
“We would have had a serious conversation about continuing with the client,” Bender responded.
When it comes to things that annoy Noel Gallagher, a mash-up of Oasis and Hall & Oates is apparently not one of them.
This week, a U.K. band called Deco shared a video wondering “What would ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ sound like in the ’80s?” To find out, they recorded a version of the Oasis classic, set to the music of the Hall & Oates 1984 single “Out of Touch.” Alongside the video, Deco wrote, “Noel Gallagher is going to be livid.”
On the contrary, Gallagher seems to be a fan of the combination. Alongside a retweet of Deco’s video, Gallagher writes, “In any era it’s STILL a tuuuune!!”
The mashup also received a seal of approval from Hall & Oates, who responded with a 100 emoji.
Gallagher just released a new song called “Pretty Boy” last month with his High Flying Birds solo band. The track features The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr.
Blake Shelton might be leaving The Voice, but that doesn’t mean country music is leaving the show.
In fact, Blake’s fellow coach John Legend is hoping that another superstar from the format replaces the Voice veteran once he steps down. “I think it should be someone in country,” John told Extra on the red carpet before the live shows kicked off.
“We’ve never had another country coach before, because it’s only been Blake,” John points out. “You know, I could see Carrie [Underwood] doing it.”
Of course, Carrie’s already pretty familiar with NBC, the network that airs The Voice — as John notes, she’s performed the Sunday Night Football theme for nine years now. “She could be good,” he adds.
Of course, John might be just a tad biased, as he and Carrie have collaborated together in the past. Carrie’s 2020 holiday album, My Gift, includes a duet they recorded called “Hallelujah,” which John co-wrote.
Blake announced last month that he’s leaving The Voice. The show is currently in his 22nd season, and the next season — Season 23, in the spring of 2023 — will be his last.
Mötley Crüe has announced a new box set collecting each of the band’s first five albums.
Dubbed Crücial Crüe: The Studio Albums 1981-1989, the package will arrive on February 17, 2023, and will be available in five-LP and five-CD configurations, each of which is limited to just 10,000 copies.
Inside Crücial Crüe,you’ll find 1981’s Too Fast for Love, 1983’s Shout at the Devil, 1985’s Theatre of Pain, 1987’s Girls, Girls, Girls and 1989’s Dr. Feelgood. In the vinyl edition, each of the records will be printed on a different colored LP.
Mötley Crüe spent their 2022 on their reunion Stadium Tour alongside Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. They’ll link back up with Def Leppard for an international tour in 2023, though they’ll do so without guitarist Mick Mars, who’s retired from the road. Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 will fill in for Mars.
Count American Idol winner Jordin Sparks in Chris Brown‘s corner. She joins Kelly Rowland in defending Brown following the controversy stemming from the 2022 American Music Awards.
Rowland stuck up for Brown when the audience booed his win for Favorite Male R&B Artist. The booing came after Brown claimed the AMAs nixed his tribute to Michael Jackson. It had been previously reported he was tapped to perform with special guest Ciara, but the offer was reneged last minute for unknown reasons.
It was believed Brown’s dismissal stemmed from his violent physical assault of then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.
TMZ caught up with Sparks on Wednesday, and the singer expressed that people need to let go of the past. “We love Chris… he should have been there,” she noted of her “No Air” collaborator.
She added the 2009 incident “honestly shouldn’t even be a conversation anymore,” and people should instead focus on “his talent.”
“They shouldn’t cancel the performance. That’s how I feel about it,” Sparks said. “People should be able to grow and learn and be able to live their life without things hanging over them. Everybody deserves that. Him especially.”
Dua Lipa‘s British, and, as such, doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, but nevertheless, she’s revealed what she’s most thankful for in her monthly Service95 newsletter.
“For those that don’t know, it’s Thanksgiving tomorrow in the United States, and although I’m not American, I love a holiday that encourages people to gather around a table with their family, eat delicious food and count the things they’re grateful for,” Dua writes in the newsletter.
“I try to make a little gratitude list in my head before I go to bed most nights and, looking back at this incredible year, I’m so grateful for my health, my family and friends, my touring family, and my incredible fans I’ve had the chance to perform to all around the world!” she continues.
Dua also thanked those who read her Service95 newsletter, adding, “Without you, this would not be possible.”
It certainly has been a big year for Dua: Just this past Sunday, she found herself onstage with Elton John, performing “Cold Heart” at the final North American concert of his farewell tour.
On Instagram, she shared video and photos of the moment and wrote, “To my most magical friend @eltonjohn thank you for keeping the dream alive!!! It was an honour, a privilege and a joy to share the stage with you…on your last show at the Dodgers Stadium. Thank you for everything, forever and always. I love you!!!”
Elton replied, “A magical moment! Thank you for everything, Dua. I love you.”
Dua also posted a photo of herself posing with one of the VIP guests at Sunday night’s show: legendary singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell. Or, as Dua called her in the caption, “JONI MITCHELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
