Those enjoying a night out at a dive bar in Manchester, England got the surprise of their life — an impromptu Olivia Rodrigo concert.
It should be noted that the legal drinking age in the U.K. is 18, so the 19-year-old singer had no problem getting into the Bunny Jackson pub. A fan snagged footage of the unexpected moment, which begins with Olivia taking the stage and declaring, “You guys, I am dead sober” and that a member of her team “is making me do this.”
The Grammy winner then launches into a cover of Natalie Imbruglia‘s 1997 hit “Torn,” to which the crowd sings along. She serenades patrons, leaning over the protective barrier several times to sing with her fans.
The drummer of a different band that had been performing at the dive bar shared alternative footage on Twitter and jokingly wrote, “Why yes Olivia Rodrigo, of course you can turn up at Bunny Jacksons on a bloody Sunday evening and play a song for a laugh before our 3rd set.”
When Olivia’s fans asked for clarification, he added, “mate, it was wild. They just showed up after playing the arena and her TM asked to jump on between our sets! They were all very lovely.”
While the band member claimed he didn’t jam with Olivia because “her band was there,” he noted he “just leant my stuff out” for them to use.
Olivia is wrapping up her sold-out SOUR world tour this week, with the final two stops taking place July 6 and July 7 at the Eventim Apollo in London.
WNBA star Brittney Griner sent a handwritten letter to President Joe Biden seeking assistance with her detainment in Russia and asking him not to forget about her.
“As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” Griner said, according to the letter obtained by ABC News.
“I realize you are dealing with so much,” she continued. “But please don’t forget about me and the other American detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home.”
On Feb. 17, the 31-year-old star was detained at a Russian airport after being accused of having vape cartridges containing hashish oil, which is illegal in the country.
“It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate [the Fourth of July] because freedom means something completely different to me this year,” she wrote.
Griner appeared in person in a courtroom in Khimki, a suburb of Moscow, on the first day of her trial last Friday. Her detention was extended to Dec. 20.
Speaking to Good Morning America‘s Robin Roberts in May, Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, called for the Biden administration to act. “I just keep hearing that he has the power. She’s a political pawn,” she said. “So, if they’re holding her because they want you to do something, then I want you to do it.”
“I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore,” Griner said in the letter. “I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.”
Blur drummer Dave Rowntree has released his debut solo single, “London Bridge.”
“When I lived in London things just started happening when I was near London Bridge, going over London Bridge on the bus, or on the tube going underneath London Bridge,” Rowntree explains. “I would just notice events occurring, or have life changing thoughts, make decisions and it was slightly unsettling. I had to confront my London Bridge demons.”
You can listen to “London Bridge” now via digital outlets and watch its accompanying video streaming now on YouTube.
“London Bridge” is the first preview of an upcoming solo “body of work” from Rowntree, the details of which will be announced at a later date.
While “London Bridge” marks Rowntree’s first official solo outing, he’s pursued many interests outside of Blur, including U.K. politics. In 2017, he was elected to Norfolk County Council as a member of the Labour Party, a position he held until 2021.
Meanwhile, Rowntree’s Blur bandmate Damon Albarn just released a new solo album last November and has also been busy with his band Gorillaz. Blur’s most recent album is 2015’s The Magic Whip.
Metallica has issued a statement commenting on the use of “Master of Puppets” in the new-premiered second volume of Stranger Things season four.
The ’80s thrash classic provides the soundtrack for a significant scene involving the Dungeons and Dragons-loving character Eddie Munson, played by Joseph Quinn. The character had already earned cred with the metal community thanks to the Dio patch he wears on the back of his denim jacket.
In an Instagram post Tuesday, Metallica writes, “The way [StrangerThings creators] The Duffer Brothers have incorporated music into Stranger Things has always been next level, so we were beyond psyched for them to not only include ‘Master of Puppets’ in the show, but to have such a pivotal scene built around it.”
“We were all stoked to see the final result and when we did we were totally blown away,” the metal legends add. “It’s so extremely well done, so much so, that some folks were able to guess the song just by seeing a few seconds of Joseph Quinn’s hands in the trailer!! How crazy cool is that?”
The post concludes, “It’s an incredible honor to be such a big part of Eddie’s journey and to once again be keeping company with all of the other amazing artists featured in the show.”
Metallica’s comments echo the sentiments of Kate Bush, who issued several public statements amid the resurgence of her song “Running Up That Hill,” which was used in the first volume of season four. The renewed interest in the track was so massive that the normally press-shy Bush even gave a rare interview.
Both “Master of Puppets” and “Running Up That Hill” are featured on the Stranger Things 4 soundtrack, which is out now via digital outlets.
Viral trends might seem a little peculiar to those technically too old to be a part of them, but enjoying things ironically is a key element to the TikTok generation.
And a new trend helped propel Minions: The Rise of Gru to a July 4 box office record.
Even before the social media platform was a thing, Gen Y used Instagram to meme Shrek — and with it, Smashmouth‘s “All Star” — back into the public consciousness, and now Gen Z has set its sights on Minions.
To that end, droves of mostly male teens, who are technically out of the kids movie’s demographic, have been showing up to theaters all over the world.
Wearing business attire in tribute to the series’ supervillian Gru, voiced by Steve Carrell, the Gentleminions, as they’ve dubbed themselves, have been posting their en masse movements into movie houses, where they watch with synchronized tented fingers — again, a la Gru.
Some bring bananas, the little yellow critters’ favorite snack.
Hey, we said it’s peculiar — but it’s still more wholesome than the Tide Pod challenge.
After millions and millions of viral views, some movie chains have had enough. They’re banning the suited teens from theaters after some acted rowdy — and yes, some bananas were thrown.
A theater chain in the U.K. even complained about “massive” financial losses from having to refund other patrons’ tickets because of the Gentleminions’ ungentlemanly behavior.
That said, Universal Pictures couldn’t be more pleased. “to everyone showing up to @Minions in suits: we see you and we love you,” the studio tweeted. To boot, the movie’s official account also posted a montage of the Gentleminions to — where else — TikTok.
Luke Combs is making an impression on the charts with his new album, Growin’ Up.
The singer’s third studio album has debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 following its June 24 release, marking the highest debut for a country album so far this year. It also serves as the highest debut of the week. The 12-track project sold 74,000 equivalent album units in its first week.
Growin’ Up is the North Carolina native’s fourth consecutive album to reach the top five on the all-genre chart. His wildly successful sophomore album, What You See Is What You Get, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 in 2019, while both his debut album, This One’s For You, and EP The Prequel both hit #4 in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
On the country charts, the current single off Growin’ Up, “The Kind of Love We Make,” is climbing up the top 20. Luke recently acquired his 14th #1 hit with the previously released “Doin’ This,” which served as the lead single off his new album.
Prior to releasing his 2013 album, The 20/20 Experience, Justin Timberlake made a documentary to accompany its release — but it never saw the light of day. Now, the film’s director is suing Justin.
Deadline reports the suit was brought on by music video mogul John Urbano, who claims he and Justin locked in a profit-sharing plan before cameras began rolling. He alleges the Grammy winner initiated the agreement and paid him $20,000 to begin.
The director said the video was finished, and upon showing the final product to the “Mirrors” singer, Justin was moved to “tears.” After dropping his third studio album, however, Justin’s interest in releasing the documentary “faded” following the album’s resounding success.
Urbano notes that he lost out on making $2.5 million because the documentary was shelved.
“Instead of fulfilling his obligations to the joint venture, Mr. Timberlake has failed to take any steps to promote, market, and sell the Making of The 20/20 Experience,” the lawsuit states. “Mr. Timberlake has increasingly distanced himself from the project and his partner — often using a network of agents, managers, and handlers to interface with Mr. Urbano.”
Aside from monetary damages, Urbano demands Justin fork over the rights to the Making of the 20/20 Experience movie.
Justin nor his agency have responded to Deadline’s request for comment at this time, nor have they issued a statement on the lawsuit.
The 20/20 Experience was released in 2013 as a follow-up to his 2010 work, 12″ Masters – The Essential Mixes.
His third studio album earned him several nods at the 2014 Grammy Awards — winning Best Music Video for “Suit & Tie” and Best R&B Song for “Pusher Love Girl.”
Many of the hottest celebrities were in attendance at sports mogul Michael Rubin‘s annual Fourth of July party in the Hamptons over the weekend, including Grammy-winning singer Ella Mai and her rumored boo, Jayson Tatum.
Mai, 27, started trending on Twitter after she was spotted smiling ear-to-ear alongside the 24-year-old Boston Celtics player, each sporting their all-white outfits to match the party’s theme. The snapshot image, later shared by The Shade Room, was taken from a recap video that also features famous attendees Meek Mill,Travis Scott, Lil Baby, Lil Durk and more.
According to the sports site Clutchpoints, the two may have been dating since October 2020 when she was spotted at his home.
Fans responded to the news, some shocked at the new pairing, while others were not so surprised.
“This isn’t new 😂. She just moves with discretion, as she should 🙌🏼!” one IG user said, while another said, “boo’d up finally.”
Mai and Tatum have yet to comment or go public with their relationship.
(NEW YORK) — Summer has just started but millions around the country have already experienced record-breaking heat waves, forcing people to blast air conditioning and think of ways to protect their homes during an onslaught of high temperatures, all while trying to keep energy costs low.
The U.S. has already seen heat indexes reach dangerous levels this summer. Last month, Shreveport, Mississippi, reached 105 degrees, while temperatures in Houston, Texas, hit 103 degrees.
Drought conditions in parts of the country also make it ripe for pasture losses, water shortages and wildfires, which puts people’s homes at risk.
Protecting your homes
Extreme weather is costing Americans billions of dollars. In 2020, extreme weather cost U.S. taxpayers $99 billion, with heat waves and droughts costing taxpayers an average of $6.4 billion a year since 1980, according to the Center for American Progress.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, some tips homeowners could use to protect their home include adding insulation to keep the heat out, incorporating window reflectors and weather stripping windows and doors.
How to conserve energy during a heat wave
“Windows and doors are critical,” Jim Reinhart, CEO and president of Ygrene, told ABC News. “Today’s windows and doors are way more efficient than those that many homes were constructed in 30 to 40 years ago.”
Reinhart said having a proper roof is also important in protecting your home from extreme heat and can help reduce your energy costs by at least 20%.
Rising temperatures can also increase a house’s humidity if not properly maintained, which can cause mold to grow.
If roofs, windows and doors are not regularly supported, issues, such as water damage, can cause bigger and more expensive problems, Reinhart added.
“A lot of what we ask people to do is not to just fix it, but fix it appropriately,” he said.
Keeping energy costs down
Customers are expected to be hit hard financially because of rising energy costs, especially during the summer.
Utility companies have warned customers that the high costs of natural gas are leading to an increase in electricity prices. The war in Ukraine has forced the U.S. to export a record amount of gas, driving up the price.
Some tips the Department of Energy suggests for keeping costs down include setting your thermostat to a temperature you’re comfortable with and an indoor temperature that isn’t that much different from the outside temperature.
Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) suggests setting your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher and using ceiling fans to help circulate the air throughout a room.
Logan Atkinson, executive director at Alliance for Affordable Energy, told ABC News people should look to see what energy efficiency programs their states offer to help reduce costs.
“Most utilities are required around the country are to provide [these programs],” Atkinson said. “If you’re a low-income homeowner, most of those programs are free of charge entirely.”
Rising temperatures will undoubtedly lead to an increased usage of people’s air conditioning systems.
Homeowners with heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, commonly referred to as HVAC, should have them serviced by a technician to ensure they’re running efficiently.
The cost to replace an HVAC system costs an average of $7,000, with some systems going up to $10,000, according to Home Advisor. It is more economical to maintain it than replace a broken system.
Atkinson said the efficiency programs could cover some costs if you’re keeping the system serviced.
(WASHINGTON) — Four Army veterans are being recognized with the Medal of Honor for their “acts of gallantry and intrepidity” during the Vietnam War.
President Joe Biden will present Specialist 5 Dwight W. Birdwell, Major John J. Duffy and Specialist 5 Dennis M. Fujii with the nation’s highest military honor at a White House ceremony on Tuesday morning. Staff Sergeant Edward N. Kaneshiro will receive the award posthumously.
The awards come after U.S. Army reviews that concluded the decorated veterans’ previous honors should be elevated to the Medal of Honor, the United States military’s most prestigious award for bravery and heroism.
Birdwell, who is also a former Cherokee Nation Supreme Court justice, will become the first Native American honored for action in Vietnam and the first to receive the award for action in any conflict since 1973.
“It’s a point of great pride for the Cherokee people and I think all native people to see a Native American get this honor,” Cherokee Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin told ABC News. “I think about the fact that Dwight Birdwell represents thousands of Native Americans who have served this country in military service since the 1970s and even before at such high numbers, disproportionately high numbers. I think it’s fitting and high time that someone get the Medal of Honor who’s a Native American.”
On Jan. 31, 1968, Birdwell moved directly into the line of fire, getting wounded in the process, to retrieve ammunition for his fellow soldiers.
Birdwell told ABC News his time in the Army gave him “a sense of discipline, enhanced respect for life, more respect for nature, and respect for people beyond the boundaries of this country.”
“Someone asked me if I feel like a hero. I don’t feel like I am, but I served with plenty, especially that day, and [I’m] honored to have served with them,” Birdwell said. “I’m really overwhelmed by the whole process. But again, proud for the Cherokee people, proud for the unit I served with, and personally very satisfied that it came about.”
In a 1972 battle for Fire Support Base Charlie, Duffy directed defense and facilitated the air evacuation of his team while under attack. He was the last to board an aiding helicopter.
“It’s a great honor. Each of those awards are appreciated, and recognizing your endeavors, your duty that you’ve done, and the pride you have in your uniform that you’ve earned in combat,” he said of his nomination. “And the same disciplines that applied in battle applied in life, whether it’s being a broker or any other occupation, journalist, etc., you’re focused, you’re trying to tell a story and you’re trying to do your job. So you learn discipline in the military — not just the Army but all the military — that serves you forever throughout life.”
After retiring from the Army, Duffy went on to work in publishing and finance before focusing on poetry. The Pulitzer Prize nominee’s works are engraved on two monuments.
In February 1971, Fujii served as crew chief of a helicopter ambulance. He is being honored for his role in several evacuations and tireless treatment of wounded Vietnamese military along the allied perimeter, even after a series of failed attempts to rescue him following a helicopter crash. Throughout this time, he directed strikes and defense until his eventual rescue.
On Dec. 1, 1966, Kaneshiro defended his squad in the trenches from enemy fire using six grenades and a rifle, allowing for their successful extrication.
Naomi Viloria and John Kaneshiro were young children when their father was killed in action on March 6, 1967. Viloria was 8 years old and her brother, who went on to enlist in the Army after high school, was only 4 months old.
“I didn’t know him. So you know, I didn’t have that father figure, but just reading the actions that he did in newspaper articles of the period, that told me he was a man of character,” he said. “So, you know, you put that together and say, ‘Wow, you know, I hope I can be like him.'”
Viloria told ABC News their family has worked for decades to have his actions reviewed and nearly gave up.
“But then finally, this year, right after my mother passed away, we were notified that his combat record was being under review and he could possibly be awarded the Medal of Honor, and I finally got the call from President Biden,” she said, adding that the family was “overjoyed” to hear the news.
“I think for us now, our family, it’s an honor that America has suggested we recognize his selflessness, his courageousness in the face of adversity,” John Kaneshiro said. “We’re happy that he was recognized, finally.”
ABC News’ Luis Martinez and Abby Cruz contributed to this report.
