Lizzo says we’re all doing that viral “About Damn Time” dance craze wrong

Lizzo says we’re all doing that viral “About Damn Time” dance craze wrong
Lizzo says we’re all doing that viral “About Damn Time” dance craze wrong
Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Lizzo is not hating the fact that she spawned a TikTok dance craze thanks to her new hit “About Damn Time,” but the Grammy winner has one tiny request: Put your heart into it.

Taking to TikTok on Wednesday, Lizzo called out the people who aren’t dancing to the song as if their life depended on it.

“I’m tired of seeing it, okay?,” the singer expressed with mock anger before setting down the phone so she could back up fully into frame.

Leaning into an aggressive alter ego that would be at home on Dance Moms, Lizzo then delved into the song’s choreography step-by-step, stressing that each move should be done with deliberate passion.  

“It’s About! Damn! Time!,” she instructed while clapping loudly between each word before repeating a less-enthused version of the move and declaring, “Not it’s ‘About Damn Time.'”

Lizzo encouraged those who want to join in on the dance craze to throw their whole body into it, even when it comes to the more sensual moves. Her tone grew more exacerbated as she went over the choreography, declaring that she doesn’t appreciate people’s half-hearted attempts at it.

The funniest part came at the end, when Lizzo stuck her arms over her head and waved her hands around for the “Balenci-enci” part. The singer showed how many times one needs to rotate their hands before pantomiming how she’s seeing other people do it, and asked, “What the hell is this?!”

Some fans felt called-out by Lizzo’s comedic post, with one remarking, “She prob saw my video.”  Others vowed to redo their videos with the right amount of gusto.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Nashville notes: Dustin Lynch and more

Nashville notes: Dustin Lynch and more
Nashville notes: Dustin Lynch and more

Dustin Lynch is keeping the “Party Mode” rolling this summer: He just announced that his Party Mode Tour has a newly added summer leg. The shows now wrap in October.

Ty Herndon’s got a new album coming out on July 15. He says the project, called Jacob, is his most personal work to date.

 

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Woman files suit after losing pregnancy at Astroworld

Woman files suit after losing pregnancy at Astroworld
Woman files suit after losing pregnancy at Astroworld
Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images

A woman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit after losing her pregnancy allegedly due to injuries she sustained at last year’s tragic Astroworld festival in Houston.

According to documents obtained by ABC News, Shanazia Williamson and her husband Jarawd Owens of Dayton, Ohio, are suing Travis Scott, Live Nation and others involved in the festival.

“While in attendance at the festival, Shanazia was trampled and crushed resulting in horrific injuries and ultimately the death of her and Jarawd’s unborn child,” the suit reads. “In addition, Shanazia sustained injuries to her shoulder, back, leg, chest, stomach and other parts of her body.”

“Defendants’ failure to plan, design, manage, operate, staff, and supervise the event was a direct and proximate cause of Shanazia’s injuries and death of her and Jarawd’s unborn child,” the suit added.

The suit was filed in December 2021 but had not previously been reported. It’s among hundreds of lawsuits filed in the wake of the festival, during which 10 people — not counting the unborn child — died and thousands were injured in a massive crowd surge.

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Elizabeth Olsen airs early frustrations with starring in the MCU; defends it against critics

Elizabeth Olsen airs early frustrations with starring in the MCU; defends it against critics
Elizabeth Olsen airs early frustrations with starring in the MCU; defends it against critics
“WandaVision” — Marvel Studios

Elizabeth Olsen can currently be seen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but in a profile in The New York Times, she admits she had some early “frustrations” being a contracted part of the MCU.

“This is me being the most honest,” Olsen said of her commitment to the Marvel Studios series, in which she plays Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch.

“It took me away from the physical ability to do certain jobs that I thought were more aligned with the things I enjoyed as an audience member,” the actress admits. “I started to feel frustrated. I had this job security but I was losing these pieces that I felt were more part of my being.”

“And the further I got away from that, the less I became considered for it,” she said.

Olsen’s since come to love the character, which earned her an Emmy nomination for WandaVision. When asked if she’d do a standalone movie about the powerful magic user, she said, “I think I would. But it really needs to be a good story.”

Olsen also recently defended in the MCU against criticism from those who don’t consider the movies art. She told The Independent, “From an actor’s point of view…I get it; I totally understand…there’s a different kind of performance that’s happening.” But she adds, “I do think throwing Marvel under the bus takes away from the hundreds of very talented crew people. That’s where I get a little feisty about that.”

Marvel Studios is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Garth Brooks makes venue history with his two Stadium Tour shows planned in Canada

Garth Brooks makes venue history with his two Stadium Tour shows planned in Canada
Garth Brooks makes venue history with his two Stadium Tour shows planned in Canada
Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Garth Brooks’ upcoming Canadian shows aren’t just landmarks for the singer’s 2022 Stadium Tour — they’re historic for the venue, too.

Commonwealth Stadium, in Edmonton, Alberta, will host both dates, which are set to take place on June 24 and 25. Between the two shows, Garth’s appearances there have sold more tickets than any other event in the stadium’s history, with an incredible 122,000.

Originally, Garth was only planning to play one show at Commonwealth, on June 25, and it was supposed to be the only Canadian stop on the Stadium Tour this year. But after a whiplash-inducing sell-out that took just 45 minutes, the singer added a second date in Edmonton. That show, on June 24, quickly sold out, too.

Garth says that the unprecedented ticket sales success is all thanks to his fan base — and thanks to the excitement fans have for getting back to in-person concerts.

“I’m not sure what we are seeing on tour right now when it comes to the record numbers is so much a reflection of Garth Brooks,” he says. “I believe the people are experiencing the joy of being back where they belong and that is together. I feel lucky to be a part of it.”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Justin Moore’s annual golf event raises over $400k to support St. Jude

Justin Moore’s annual golf event raises over 0k to support St. Jude
Justin Moore’s annual golf event raises over 0k to support St. Jude
Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Last week, Justin Moore hosted his annual St. Jude Golf Classic in Little Rock, Arkansas, a two-day event benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This year’s tournament once again raised the bar, bringing in more than $400,000 for the cause.

Justin teamed up with special guests like Chase Rice and Joe Nichols, also bringing the likes of actors Scott Reeves and Prince Lorenzo De Medici out on the course with him. The ainger — whose current single, “With a Woman You Love,” is now inside the top-twenty at country radio — played an acoustic set for supporters and players at a pre-party before the big game.

In addition to golfing, attendees got to participate in a silent auction and a private dinner.

Each year, Justin tees off for a good cause: To support St. Jude’s lifesaving mission, and help ensure that no family ever receives a bill from the hospital for treatment, travel, food or housing.

If you’d like to learn more about making a donation or getting involved with St. Jude’s mission, visit their website.

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Selena Gomez releases her own kitchenware collection

Selena Gomez releases her own kitchenware collection
Selena Gomez releases her own kitchenware collection
Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Deadline Hollywood

Move over, Martha Stewart!  Selena Gomez has come out with her very own kitchenware line that has a very important mission — raising awareness for mental health while encouraging families to cook together.

Selena announced on Instagram Thursday that she’s collaborating with cookware brand Our Place for a series of bright and colorful pots, pans, drinking glasses and more.  The company will donate 10 percent of all proceeds to Selena’s Rare Impact Fund, which works to expand access to mental health resources for youths.

“It’s a celebration of all ways we cook- as beginners or experts, perfectly or imperfectly, messily and joyously. Our Place is immigrant and women-owned, rooted in building a bigger table,” the Only Murders In The Building star said of her new collection.  “Time to get cooking!”

In addition to supporting her mental health initiative, Selena’s line is geared toward celebrating heritage by encouraging those who purchase her collection to cook with their family and celebrate their history.  The Grammy nominee previously expressed on her own cooking show, Selena + Chef, that cooking brings her closer to her Latina heritage.

The collection offers two limited-edition colors: a deep blue and a hot, berry pink, which are respectively called Azul and Rosa.  Fans can get their hands on an “Always Pan” or “Perfect Pot,” in addition to a knife trio, plates and other cooking essentials. 

Selena’s line is featured as part of their Our Place’s Essentials Collection and is available now.

 

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Mattel’s latest lineup of diverse dolls includes a Barbie with hearing aids

Mattel’s latest lineup of diverse dolls includes a Barbie with hearing aids
Mattel’s latest lineup of diverse dolls includes a Barbie with hearing aids
Courtesy of Barbie

(NEW YORK) — Mattel’s latest launch of Barbie dolls keeps diversity and inclusion at the forefront.

The toymaker has released this year’s new 2022 Barbie Fashionista collection with several new dolls including the first Barbie with behind-the-ear hearing aids, a doll with a prosthetic leg, a Ken doll with vitiligo and much more.

The first-of-its-kind doll with visible hearing aids is styled wearing a floral print dress, pink booties and a high ponytail.

“Ready to make waves? Dip into new #Barbie Fashion Dolls – our most diverse and inclusive doll line, offering a variety of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors and textures, body types, disabilities, and fashions, to inspire even more stories,” the brand captioned a photo revealing the exciting new lineup.

Barbie’s new doll with hearing aids was created to further expand the Fashionistas line to reflect people with disabilities such as hearing loss, and to accurately portray the hearing aids, the company tapped leading educational audiologist and hearing loss advocate Dr. Jen Richardson.

Richardson shared in a statement that she felt “honored” to have worked with Barbie for the release of its doll with behind-the-ear hearing aids. “As an educational audiologist with over 18 years of experience working in hearing loss advocacy, it’s inspiring those who experience hearing loss reflected in a doll. I’m beyond thrilled for my young patients to see and play with a doll who looks like them.”

Since revealing the new doll on Wednesday, lots of people have already praised Barbie for promoting representation within its latest offerings.

“My daughter is so excited that there will finally be a Barbie that has hearing aids like her,” Laura Ford said in a comment. “We have modified so many dolls so they have puff paint hearing aids but it is definitely not the same as being able to see her go into a store to purchase a doll that looks like her. Thank you!!!!”

Two years ago, Barbie was also praised for introducing its first doll with vitiligo which ended up being one of its best Fashionistas sellers in the U.S. that year. This year, the brand is expanding to include a Ken doll with vitiligo to allow for more storytelling and reach an even wider community of children.

Other amazing additions include Ken options with short hair and new dolls with different body types. These dolls will accompany other successful launches such as a doll with a wheelchair and a Black doll with a beautiful afro hairstyle.

“Barbie wholeheartedly believes in the power of representation, and as the most diverse doll line on the market, we are committed to continuing to introduce dolls featuring a range of skin tones, body types and disabilities to reflect the diversity kids see in the world around them,” said Mattel executive vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls Lisa McKnight.

She continued, “It’s important for kids to see themselves reflected in product and to encourage play with dolls that don’t resemble them to help them understand and celebrate the importance of inclusion.”

The new 2022 Barbie Fashionista collection will be available in June at a variety of mass retailers.

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James Corden going home again: ‘The Late Late Show’ is headed back to London

James Corden going home again: ‘The Late Late Show’ is headed back to London
James Corden going home again: ‘The Late Late Show’ is headed back to London
CBS ©2018 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved/Craig Sugden

James Corden is marking his final season as the host of The Late Late Show by returning with a week’s worth of shows staged in his native London.

The four-show stint will be shot at Freemasons’ Hall in Central London, starting Monday, June 27 through Thursday, June 30. It will be the fourth time The Late Late Show will stop in the U.K., and the first time since the pandemic.

When Corden announced last month that he was stepping down from the chat show, he promised to “make the most” of his final season, and the U.K. trip is part of that: CBS hints Corden will “share highlights of his homeland with American viewers, and The Late Late Show‘s signature musical and comedy segments will get a British makeover.”

In the past, Corden’s staged “Crosswalk the Musical” and “Carpool Karaoke” across The Pond.

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Arcade Fire performs “End of the Empire IV (Sagittarius A*)” in honor of historic black hole discovery

Arcade Fire performs “End of the Empire IV (Sagittarius A*)” in honor of historic black hole discovery
Arcade Fire performs “End of the Empire IV (Sagittarius A*)” in honor of historic black hole discovery
Lorne Thomson/Redferns

Arcade Fire is providing the soundtrack to today’s historic scientific news.

On Thursday, astronomers of the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration released the first-ever image of a supermassive black hole located at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. The black hole is named Sagittarius A*, which inspired the title of “End of the Empire IV (Sagittarius A*),” a song from Arcade Fire’s new album, WE.

Fittingly, Arcade Fire was invited to perform “End of the Empire IV (Sagittarius A*)” at the end of European Southern Observatory’s press conference announcing the discovery.

“There is so much that we don’t understand about ourselves; our minds, our planet, our solar system,” frontman Win Butler writes in a post on the band’s social media pages. “When I first read about Sagittarius A*, the massive black hole that sits in the center of our galaxy, it felt symbolic we seek to understand about ourselves, yet fail to grasp.”

He continues, “Today, WE know a little bit more, thanks to the collaboration of a vast network of telescopes and scientists all over the world. A testament to what we can accomplish together as humanity…Perhaps ‘We’ll see one day, what’s on the other side.'”

You can watch footage of Arcade Fire’s performance via the band’s Twitter.

Muse frontman Matt Bellamy, whose band recorded a song called “Supermassive Black Hole,” also reacted to the news, tweeting, “There she is.”

The image of Sagittarius A* comes three years after the first-ever image of any black hole was published in 2019. Its bright orange and black coloring reminded rock fans of the cover of Soundgarden‘s 1994 album Superunknown, which, of course, featured the single “Black Hole Sun.” A petition was even started to name the black hole after the late Chris Cornell.

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