His brother, Denzil Smith, shared the sad news on Instagram, revealing the singer passed away Thursday morning of “respiratory failure after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis.”
“My brother was very excited to see a lot of you create challenges for his latest released single #Twerkoholic part 2 while he was in the ICU, it really brought him a big smile to his face,” he wrote in the caption.
“So on behalf of my brother and my family we want to say thank you to all of you for all of your love & support throughout the years,” he added. “We ask for privacy during these difficult times.”
B. Smyth, born Brandon Smith, was known for his 2014 song “Twerkaholic” and his 2012 collab with 2 Chainz, “Leggo,” which peaked at number 12 on Billboard‘s Hot R&B Songs chart. His single “Twerkaholic Part 2” was just released last month.
(SAN FRANCISCO) — A number of Twitter employees appear to be on their way out after declining to accept an ultimatum from new company owner Elon Musk asking that they “commit or leave,” three sources told ABC News.
It is not yet known how many Twitter employees accepted Musk’s email request that they commit to being “extremely hardcore” or resign with three months severance, but all three sources told ABC News that dozens of Twitter employees are sending the “salute” emoji over the company’s Slack — presumably signaling their departure from the company.
“I did not accept [Musk’s] ultimatum,” one Twitter employee told ABC News. “Many of us didn’t. … Now we are just waiting for our access to be shut down.”
ABC News confirmed that several of the employees who did not agree to Musk’s request had a key role in targeting and disposing of misinformation and hate speech on Twitter.
Twitter did not respond to a request for comment.
Musk sent a companywide ultimatum on Wednesday morning that Twitter employees must commit or resign by Thursday evening, according to an email from Musk obtained by ABC News.
Bearing the subject line “A Fork in the Road,” the email from Musk on Wednesday said: “Going forward, to build a breakthrough Twitter 2.0 and succeed in an increasingly competitive world, we will need to be extremely hardcore. This will mean working long hours at high intensity. Only exceptional performance will constitute a passing grade.”
For those who wished to be part of the “new Twitter,” Musk directed employees to “click yes” on the link in the email.
“Anyone who has not done so by 5pm ET [Thursday] will receive three months of severance,” Musk said. “Whatever decision you make, thank you for your efforts to make Twitter successful.”
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and Space X, earlier this month began layoffs that cut roughly half of Twitter’s 7,500-person workforce.
Those laid off will receive compensation and benefits until the first week of January 2023, though the date may vary for employees. Affected employees were already locked out of their Twitter systems, such as email and Slack.
Musk, who said he overpaid for the platform at the purchasing price of $44 billion, faces pressure to boost the company’s profits. Earlier this month, he said the company was losing $4 million each day.
Donald Trump isn’t the only politician upsetting musicians by using their music without permission. The latest politician being called out is Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake.
The estate of the late Tom Petty is upset that Lake included the rocker’s 1989 track “I Won’t Back Down” in a recently dropped video, which features images of her posing with Trump, hunting with a rifle, and even destroying TVs that air CNN.
“The Tom Petty estate and our partners were shocked to find out that Tom’s song ‘I Won’t Back Down’ was stolen and used without permission or a license to promote Kari Lake’s failed campaign. This is illegal,” reads a tweet by the estate, referring to the fact that Lake lost to her Democratic opponent Katie Hobbs, although she refuses to concede. The Petty estate adds, “We are exploring all of our legal options to stop this unauthorized use and to prohibit future misappropriations of Tom’s beloved anthem. “
Finally, they thanked fans “who brought this to our attention and who help us protect his legacy every day.”
The Petty response comes just days after Isaac Hayes’ estate called out Trump for using the Sam and Dave song “Hold On I’m Coming,” which Hayes wrote with David Porter, at the event announcing the former president’s 2024 election bid.
(NEW YORK) — With the traditional start of Christmas tree shopping about one week away, growers and retailers are telling customers to ready themselves for higher prices this year.
Tim O’Connor, the executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association, which supplies the Christmas tree to the White House and the vice president’s residence every year and represents 38 state and regional Christmas tree grower associations, said anyone interested in fresh trees should head out to the farm lot sooner than later.
“If you want to shop the Christmas tree farm, you really have to go early,” O’Connor told ABC News’ Good Morning America. “They’re popular and they will sell out. They have whatever trees they have available for that season and then they’re done. And they have been selling out every year early.”
The American Christmas Tree Association, whose members are Christmas tree manufacturers and retailers, is also encouraging shoppers to buy early as prices will rise as Christmas nears.
“Because inflation impacts absolutely everything, the industry is seeing increases in shipping costs, fertilizer, trucking, everything you can possibly think of, whether it be real or artificial trees. So I think consumers can expect to see anywhere from 5% to 20% increases across the board on artificial and live Christmas trees this year,” American Christmas Tree Association executive director Jami Warner told GMA.
Warner also said that shoppers may also see fewer tree options this holiday season.
“People are used to abundance and choice — and again, the choices will be limited but choose the tree that fits your lifestyle the best, be it real or artificial,” she said.
Inflation isn’t the only major issue affecting the Christmas tree industry this season. In some parts of the country, shoppers may notice there are fewer fresh trees due to drought conditions and climate change.
At Kadee Farm in Greenville, Texas, a town about 35 miles northeast of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan region, owner Woody Woodruff said a drought that started in the spring decimated over 1,000 trees on his 53-acre farm, which grows Virginia pine trees.
“There’s gonna be a lack of trees this year. In the South, which includes Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, there’s some tree growers that are all down in those states that experienced drought conditions and therefore it’s gonna be a little more difficult to get the trees that we needed,” Woodruff told GMA.
Woodruff explained that in addition to drought, businesses like his have also been hit by higher prices.
“We all use diesel fuel or gasoline, that was more expensive this year,” the 55-year-old farm owner said. “Our fertilizers, some of them more than doubled [in price] this year. And so that really took a toll … and that was nationwide. So that took a toll on anybody that is in the farming industry trying to grow Christmas trees.”
To make up for the lost sales, Woodruff plans on trucking in trees from other areas, including Michigan and states in the Pacific Northwest and the Carolinas.
“Of course those trees are going to be more expensive. So the consumer is going to pay more this year when they go to find a live tree,” Woodruff continued. “And if you go to any of the big box stores, I’ve noticed that their artificial trees have really skyrocketed as well. That’s again due to inflation and shipping.”
Overall, Woodruff estimated that customers could see as much as a 30% increase in Christmas tree prices compared to last year.
For now, though transportation costs has been “outrageous” at times, Woodruff said it’s a necessary expenditure, and he’s not worried in the long term.
“We’re eating as much of the cost as we possibly can and still staying in business,” Woodruff added. “Everything’s gonna work out as it should. Is it, you know, sickening to sit here and look at all of my lost trees that have died, that I have spent 25 years growing? Absolutely. But I think it’ll all come back. You just have a positive outlook and just keep trudging ahead. … You can’t cry over spilt milk.”
Both the NCTA and ACTA representatives say there should still be plenty of Christmas trees for everyone interested at the end of the day, real or artificial.
“We always say there’s a tree for every family,” O’Connor said. “There are trees for different budgets too. So if you really are concerned about price, you know, yes, it won’t be the most beautiful tree on the lot perhaps but there’ll be a tree that fits your price range, that when you bring it home, you’ll enjoy it in your home.”
Wedding bells are in the future for Queer Eye‘s Antoni Porowski, who announced his engagement to boyfriend Kevin Harrington.
Antoni shared the news with a low-key photo of the couple to Instagram Thursday, captioning it “I really hope the wedding photos are less blurry.”
Kevin also posted to Instagram, “Officially together until we look like the last pic #engaged,” alongside a carousel of photos.
The pair, who were together for three years, were flooded with congratulatory messages in the comments, including some from Antoni’s Queer Eye costars.
Jonathan Van Ness wrote, “So Cute, love soy much. Already sourcing my flower girl looks!!!”
Tan France also chimed in writing, “I volunteer as wedding selfie-photographer.”
Following the release of Pink‘s new single, “Never Gonna Not Dance Again,” we now have details of the singer’s next album. Trustfall, her first new album since 2019’s Hurts 2B Human, will be out February 17, 2023.
Speaking with ABC’s Good Morning America on Friday, Pink said the new album is “very, very true to what I believe and where I am and what I’m feeling and what I think a lot of people are feeling.” She also described Trustfall as one of the best albums she’s ever made, because she “took time” to create it.
“I had time — and I had a lot of really devastating things happen,” she explained. “My son and I got really sick with COVID. That sort of distilled down for me what actually matters. And it takes a crisis to do that.”
She said the experience led her to a decision: “I want to only put truth into the world. I want to only be authentic. And I want to be kinder and a better person.”
“My album is a piece of me, and I think that I am an example of how you can live authentically and fearlessly, in ways,” she added.
Pink will open the American Music Awards Sunday night with “Never Gonna Not Dance Again,” which she says is “about [how] the only thing I want to do is find joy.”
She explained. “I don’t want to worry anymore. You can take everything I have, but you can’t take my joy.”
Pink will definitely be experiencing joy on he upcoming Summer Carnival tour. “It’s gonna be amazing,” she said. “I have new music to play with, and that just makes me so excited – and I’m gonna learn skills and things that I’ve never done before.”
Jay Leno got a dose of laughter-as-medicine from his longtime pal Tim Allen as Jay recovers from burns he suffered in an accident last weekend.
TMZ caught a smiling Allen as he left the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles on Thursday, where the Toy Story star gave an update about his friend and Jay Leno’s Garage host’s condition. “Jay is good,” Allen commented as he walked to his car. “It’s wonderful because he’s feeling better. He’s feeling better, I brought him some car magazines, did some jokes, because that’s what we do.”
Leno suffered serious burns to his face, chest and hand after being sprayed by gasoline as he worked on an antique vehicle. He subsequently underwent a skin graft and is getting hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help him heal.
Allen continued, “His face looks good,” before joking, “it didn’t look all that good to begin with, so he’s going with ‘the George Clooney‘ look. You’re gonna be surprised.”
Leno’s doctors gave an update on Leno’s condition earlier this week, noting he’s expected to make a full recovery but explaining “it’s still way too early to tell” if he’ll have any permanent scarring from the accident.
Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium streams live on Disney+ Sunday night. It’s the final show Elton will play in North America as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. Because it’s live, you’ll have to stay up till 11 p.m. to watch it on the East Coast, but it’s going to be worth it.
“I think the reason why you should watch it is because there’s very rarely a moment that we know will be a historic moment in music,” executive producer Ben Winston tells ABC Audio. He notes, “One of the greatest artists of all time is saying, ‘This is me saying farewell to you … a country … that has been so good to me, that I’ve toured for years and years and years … at the most iconic venue that you could play.”
Winston says you should also tune in for Elton’s special guests Dua Lipa, Kiki Dee and Brandi Carlile, as well as the preshow, featuring farewell wishes from a range of celebrities, from PresidentJoeBiden to Billie Eilish.
Speaking with ABC’s Robin Roberts about doing this final show at the same place he played two career-making shows back in 1975, Elton noted, “Dodger Stadium, at that point, was the pinnacle of my career. I was the biggest I could possibly be.”
“I’ve played there since with Eric Clapton,” he adds. “But to be there again on my own … I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful ending.”
“I can’t do any better than I’ve done. I’m going out on the biggest high. This is the biggest tour we’ve ever done,” he adds. “What more can I want? I’ve had enough applause. I’ve said it before: I just want the applause of my children, saying, ‘You’ve been a good dad.'”
Ellen Pompeo addressed her departure from Grey’s Anatomy in a social media post dedicated to the show’s fans.
“I am eternally grateful and humbled by the love and support you have all shown me, Meredith GREY and the show for 19 seasons!” the actress, 53, wrote in an Instagram post Thursday.
“Through it all….none of it …would have been possible without the best fans in the world,” she continued. “You all are RIDERS and you all have made the ride so fun and ICONIC!! I love you madly and appreciate you right back.”
Pompeo teased that this won’t be the last time viewers will see Meredith Grey, the character she has played for more than 400 episodes since Grey’s Anatomy debuted in 2005.
“This isn’t your first time on the rollercoaster… you know the show must go on and I’ll definitely be back to visit,” her post concluded. “With a lot of love and immense gratitude XoE [folded hands, heart emoji].”
It was revealed ahead of season 19’s premiere that Pompeo would be limiting her role on the show, appearing in only eight episodes while staying on as executive producer and continuing to provide voiceover narration for all episodes this season.
Meredith announced in the midseason finale, which aired Nov. 10, that she was leaving Grey Sloan Memorial for a job researching for an Alzheimer’s cure with the Catherine Fox Foundation.
(LONDON) — North Korea has fired one of the most power intercontinental ballistic missiles it has ever launched with the latest having the potential trajectory to strike the mainland of the United States.
North Korea, which has launched at least 88 ballistic and other missiles this year, fired an ICBM that could travel 9,300 miles or longer, putting the U.S. mainland within its range, according to Japan’s Defense Minister.
Both the militaries of the United States & South Korea militaries are analyzing the data but North Korea’s latest launch — and it’s second this month — involved a missile that covered a distance of 620 miles, according to Japanese and South Korean officials.
The missile had an altitude of 3,700 miles and flew for 69 minutes before it landed about 130 miles off Hokkaido in northern Japan, authorities confirmed.
The commander of the 35th Fighter Wing at the Misawa Air Base located in northern Japan ordered everyone, including service personnel and staff, at the base to seek cover for 23 minutes following the missile launch.
“At this time, there are no additional indications or warnings of an immediate threat to Misawa Air Base,” said Commander Michael Richard who issued a seek cover order at 10:33 a.m. as a precautionary measure.
President Biden was briefed on the situation and will continue close consultation with allies, according to a statement released from the White House overnight.
“This conduct of by North Korea most recently is a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Resolution. It destabilizes security in the region and unnecessarily raises tensions,” said Vice President Kamala Harris, who is in Bangkok attending the Asia-Pacific Cooperative forum (APEC). “We strongly condemn these actions, and we again call for North Korea to stop further unlawful, destabilizing acts. On behalf of the United States, I reaffirm our ironclad commitment to our Indo-Pacific Alliances. Together the countries represented here will continue to urge North Korea to commit to serious and sustained diplomacy.”
