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Liam Payne criticized for revealing One Direction’s secrets amid his own cheating scandal

June 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Liam Payne chose an inopportune time to air One Direction‘s dirty laundry and fans are livid.

Appearing on the Impaulsive podcast, the British singer singled out his former bandmates by name. Fans are now accusing Liam of trying to divert attention away from his alleged infidelity. The “Strip That Down” singer’s engagement to Maya Henry went up in flames after he became embroiled in a cheating scandal.

Among the revelations was a scathing bit about Louis Tomlinson, whom Liam said he “hated” when 1D first formed. Although Liam said he and Louis are now close, he claimed they nearly traded blows when they were part of the band.

“We came very close at points. There was one moment where there was an argument backstage and one member in particular threw me up a wall,” Liam revealed.

He also spoke about Zayn Malik, who famously left 1D in 2015. “There’s many reasons why I dislike Zayn and there’s many reasons why I’ll always, always be on his side,” he said, referencing Zayn’s “upbringing” by hinting his parents weren’t supportive.

Liam’s interview has ignited fans’ outrage, with many pointing out that his former bandmates haven’t badmouthed One Direction since the group went on hiatus over five years ago.

He also drew some heavy criticism for claiming in the same interview that he is the most successful of his former bandmates. Speaking of his 2017 single “Strip That Down,” he said, “We did the first song, billion streams. I think it outsold everybody within the band.”

Fans have pointed out both Zayn and Harry Styles’ debut singles, respectively “Pillowtalk” and “Sign of the Times,” amassed over a billion Spotify streams, while “Strip That Down” has 800,000.

Director Deborah Chow on dangers of breaking canon, and the return of the Jedi in ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’

June 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(SPOILERS) On Wednesday, the third episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi dropped on Disney+. Without giving too much away, it marks the first time Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor shared the screen since 2005’s Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

Series director Deborah Chow tells ABC Audio, “It was pretty special.”

Christensen reprises his role as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, the fallen former student of McGregor’s titular Jedi hero.

“You know, it’s pretty amazing to have these two characters come back and especially to have the original actors playing them,” Chow says. “And also, you know … we’re playing characters that are so legendary, but we’re playing them at a different point in their lives.”

The series takes place 10 years after the events of Episode III, which closes with a mortally wounded Vader being encased in his menacing black life support suit.

And while in 1977’s Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope Vader says he hasn’t faced Kenobi since he was “but the learner” — some seven years before the show takes place — the series’ third episode presents something different.

And that’s the danger of dabbling in “canon,” or established lore, something Chow tells ABC Audio was the “biggest challenge” of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

” … obviously we do have these huge iconic characters and we’re in between two trilogies. So, you know, for us we were very much trying to respect the canon and, you know, not break anything. But at the same time, we also needed to tell a new story and tell something original. So it was really just kind of about trying to find that balance with the show.”

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Sam Asghari breaks silence on Britney Spears’ pregnancy loss: “When the baby’s ready, it’ll come”

June 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Sam Asghari shared a heartfelt update about how he and fiancée Britney Spears are choosing to focus on being “positive” as they process her pregnancy loss.

“It’s just part of life … It’s something that happens to a lot of people,” the actor told Entertainment Tonight when asked about the miscarriage.

Asghari then opened up about the mindset he and his “soon-to-be wife” adopted since losing their unborn child. “We’re positive about it,” he said. “And one beautiful thing that I heard was when the baby’s ready, it’ll come. So that was a beautiful thing somebody had said … it’s a common process and the female body is just so amazing, and just the human body in general is so beautiful that it heals itself. And that when the baby’s ready it’ll be the right time.”

Despite the heartbreak, Asghari maintains hope he will be “a young father” one day.

“That’s just the joy of life, I think, is procreation. And that’s just a next step,” he continued, explaining he is already focusing on making changes that will benefit his future children. “I am careful with money because I do want to build a future for my children,” the Iranian-born actor said. “If you came to this country, you came with a purpose. You don’t come here to goof around.”

Britney announced in April that she was expecting her first child with Asghari. They issued a joint statement last month that they lost their “miracle baby” and asked fans to respect their privacy during the difficult time. They also vowed to “continue trying to expand our beautiful family.”

Asghari, who met Britney on the “Slumber Party” music video set in 2016, proposed to the Grammy winner in September 2021.

Biden tweets out video of BTS visit to Oval Office

June 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Making the most of the attention-getting White House visit by BTS, the South Korean supergroup, President Joe Biden has tweeted out a video of their time together in the Oval Office.

The international K-pop sensation met with Biden Tuesday to address efforts to stop Anti-Asian hate crimes.

“We want to say thank you sincerely for your decision … such as signing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law,” said RM, the Grammy-nominated group’s leader, in the video posted late Tuesday.

“So we just want to be a little help, and we truly appreciate the White House and the government’s trying to find solutions,” he continued.

In the nearly minute-long White House video, the superstar group is seen walking through the Rose Garden to the Oval Office door, where Biden greets them.

It was great to meet with you, @bts_bighit. Thanks for all you’re doing to raise awareness around the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination.

I look forward to sharing more of our conversation soon. pic.twitter.com/LnczTpT2aL

— President Biden (@POTUS) June 1, 2022

“This is an important month here in America,” Biden told BTS, in recognition of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which ended Tuesday.

“A lot of our Asian-American friends have been subject to real discrimination,” he said. “Hate only hides. When good people talk about it and say how bad it is, it goes down. So, thank you.”

Before meeting with Biden, they spoke at the top of a jam-packed White House press briefing.

Each member took a turn coming to the podium to speak about what they hoped to accomplish. The members spoke in a mix of English and Korean, and were translated after the fact.

Speaking in Korean, BTS expressed their grief about the surge of hate crimes, including ones targeting Asian Americans, and said the group would like to use this opportunity to speak out again.

Last year, BTS tweeted a statement condemning Asian hate after attacks in Atlanta-area spas left eight women dead, six of whom were of Asian descent. In the statement, they also reflected on their own experiences facing discrimination.

“We have endured expletives without reason and were mocked for the way we look,” BTS said. “We were even asked why Asians spoke in English.”

The group added that “what is happening right now cannot be dissociated from our identity as Asians.”

In their press briefing remarks, BTS also recognized their fans, known as “ARMY,” crediting them for their White House visit.

They also highlighted the importance of embracing others’ differences and respecting each other.

Since BTS’ 2013 debut, they skyrocketed to international fame for their smash hit songs like “Fake Love,” “ON” and “Butter.”

“It was great to meet with you, @bts_bighit,” Biden tweeted when sharing the video. “Thanks for all you’re doing to raise awareness around the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination.”

“I look forward to sharing more of our conversation soon,” he added.

ABC News’ Molly Nagle and Ben Gittleson contributed to this report.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs release new single “Spitting Off the Edge of the World” off upcoming ‘Cool It Down’ album

June 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

After teasing a new song last week, Yeah Yeah Yeahs have delivered that and more.

As promised, the track, titled “Spitting Off the Edge of the World,” is out today and features indie pop artist Perfume Genius. Not only that, but Karen O and company have also announced their first album in nine years, Cool It Down.

“To all who have waited, our dear fans, thank you, our fever to tell has returned, and writing these songs came with its fair share of chills, tears, and euphoria when the pain lifts and truth is revealed,” O says of the upcoming record. “Don’t have to tell you how much we’ve been going through in the last nine years since our last record, because you’ve been going through it too, and we love you and we see you, and we hope you feel the feels from the music we’ve made.”

O adds, “No shying away from the feels, or backing down from what’s been gripping all of us these days. So yes we’ve taken our time, happy to report when it’s ready it really does just flow out.”

Cool It Down will be released September 30. In the meantime, you can listen to “Spitting Off the Edge of the World” now via digital outlets and watch its accompanying video streaming now on YouTube.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs will play Montreal’s Osheaga festival in July and Chicago’s Riot Fest in September, followed by headlining dates in New York City and Los Angeles in October.

Here’s the Cool It Down track list:

“Spitting Off the Edge of the World” feat. Perfume Genius
“Lovebomb”
“Wolf”
“Fleez”
“Burning”
“Blacktop”
“Different Today”
“Mars”

Muse releases ’Will of the People’ title track, announces North American tour dates

June 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Muse has released a new song called “Will of the People,” the title track off the band’s upcoming album.

“‘Will of the People’ is a fictional story set in a fictional metaverse on a fictional planet ruled by a fictional authoritarian state run by a fictional algorithm manifested by a fictional data center running a fictional bank printing a fictional currency controlling a fictional population occupying a fictional city containing a fictional apartment where a fictional man woke up one day and thought ‘f*** this,'” says frontman Matt Bellamy.

Somehow, we think the inspiration for “Will of the People” isn’t entirely fictional.

You can listen to “Will of the People” now via digital outlets. Its accompanying video, which very much lays out the scenario Bellamy describes, is streaming now on YouTube.

The album Will of the People arrives August 26. It also includes the previously released songs “Won’t Stand Down” and “Compliance.”

In other news, Muse has announced a limited run of North American tour dates, making stops in Los Angeles on October 4, Chicago on October 11, Toronto on October 14 and New York City on October 16.

Tickets go on sale June 24 at 10 a.m. local time. For all ticket info, visit Muse.mu.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

Justin Bieber teases new Tim Horton’s cold brew: “Nobody puts their lips on the Biebs Brew before this guy”

June 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Justin Bieber is back at it again with Tim Horton’s — the Canadian equivalent of Dunkin’ — and dropped the first commercial teasing his new cold brew offering that’s appropriately named Biebs Brew.

The hilarious commercial, which dropped Wednesday, shows just how excited the Grammy winner is to finally taste the new menu item. The commercial opens with Justin staring intently at glass jar filled with the first batch of Biebs Brew and a Tim Horton’s employee named Pam asking why he hasn’t gone home.

Justin firmly replies, “I haven’t tried the final product,” so he cannot leave because his job isn’t done.

Pam tries to persuade the “Ghost” singer against waiting because cold brew takes longer to make than your average cup of coffee, explaining, “It takes 16 hours for it to steep before it’s ready.” She adds Tim Horton’s plans on calling him back in about 15 hours so he can be first to taste it.

“Yeah, not a chance I let someone put their lips on the Biebs Brew before this guy,” Justin argues, adding, “I’m a stayin'” as he gets cozy in an office chair.

The two part ways while sharing awkward good nights, with Justin shouting to the employee that he loves her.

“I love you, too,” she giggles. “I’m glad you said it first!”

Justin’s all new Biebs Brew — which comes with a limited-edition French vanilla flavoring — drops June 6.

This isn’t his first collaboration with Tim Horton’s. Last year, the singer teamed with the chain to make his own Timbits, which is their name for doughnut holes, and dubbed them Timbiebs. That partnership was a smash and even sparked some head-scratching headlines when ecstatic customers tried reselling them for thousands of dollars on eBay.

Texas man makes custom caskets for Uvalde school shooting victims

June 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(EDNA, Texas) — A Texas man worked for days on end to customize caskets for the 19 children who were killed after a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, last Tuesday.

Trey Ganem, the owner of SoulShine Industries, a company that specializes in custom caskets and urns, said he was contacted by a trooper and funeral directors after the shootings to see if he could help.

“They know I deal with a lot of children and that I can make sure that things get done as far as doing customization and doing something special because this wasn’t your typical funeral arrangements,” Ganem, 50, told Good Morning America.

SoulShine Industries teamed up with Cherokee Casket Company of Griffin, Georgia, and trucking companies to acquire the child-sized caskets and ship them to Texas. The caskets were donated and arrived for Ganem and his team in Edna, Texas, on Friday, ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

“We got to talk with the families and the funeral directors have helped us, and it’s just been wonderful to be able to know exactly what they wanted and [ensure] each one [is] personalized to that specific person,” Ganem said.

One casket was painted a glossy blue and prominently features the bright red and yellow shield of Superman, DC Comics’ legendary superhero.

Another blue casket has a cheery green dinosaur chasing a green bat on its lid.

A third casket is coated in white paint with pink accents and includes a TikTok logo on top.

“When they’re telling me that their son or daughter loved baseball or softball or TikTok, they light up because now they’re remembering the good things and the fun times that they had when they were alive and here, and we incorporate all that into the caskets,” Ganem said.

He said he feels speaking with the families and parents of the children directly has started the healing process.

“We’re bringing light to this time,” he said. “When they start talking about a dinosaur holding a flashlight with a pickle, that’s gonna put a smile on your face. It’s kind of one of those things where we listen to what they have to say. We cry with them. We hug each other but in the end, we make the most beautiful creation and the last resting bed for their loved ones.”

Ganem and his team rushed to complete the special caskets in time for the scheduled funerals and visitations in Uvalde. The first two funerals were held Tuesday, one for Amerie Jo Garza and another for Maite Rodriguez, both 10 years old.

“Our emotions when we finished the last casket, we all just looked at each other and we started crying and when you’re hugging, it was like, ‘we did it and they all turned out beautiful.’ We did 19 caskets in three and a half days. But it was just a relief.”

Twenty-one individuals — 19 third and fourth grade students and two teachers — were killed in the May 24 shooting after 18-year-old Salvador Ramos entered Robb Elementary School with an AR-15 style rifle and opened fire.

Ganem estimates at least 30 people chipped in to help sand caskets, make deliveries, brought food and offered a hand in some way.

“The community was fantastic just trying to help us and they wanted to do whatever they could to help the families in Uvalde also,” he said.

“It’s beautiful, to be able to know the joy that we’re going to bring for them.”

Blake Shelton helps design Jimmie Johnson’s “Helmet of Heroes”

June 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Blake Shelton is teaming up with Jimmie Johnson to honor our nation’s veterans.

Before the Indy 500 race last weekend, where Blake was the grand marshal, he was tasked with the special honor of helping former NASCAR driver and longtime friend Jimmie decorate the helmet he wore during the Indy 500, which marked Jimmie’s first time competing in the race.

Designated the “Helmet of Heroes,” it features symbols that honor their family members who’ve served in the U.S. armed forces. Blake’s late father, Richard Shelton, served in the Korean War and then became part of the honor guard. His brother Richie was a member of the Army before he died in a car accident at the age of 24 in 1990.

After Jimmie wore the helmet during the race, Blake and Jimmie signed it. The helmet will be given away as part of a contest raising money for the American Legion, a nonprofit that supports veterans. A $48 donation to the American Legion equals one entry into a drawing for the Helmet of Heroes. The winner will be announced on September 13.

“What an honor, especially with the American Legion involved and it’s [Jimmie’s] first Indy 500. There’s so much that this helmet represents,” Blake said, adding that it’s a “big deal” for him to have input on the Helmet of Heroes.

The helmet will be on display at the IndyCar Series races and other events in the American Legion mobile unit until the end of racing season.

Start It Up! The Rolling Stones kick off SIXTY tour in Madrid today

June 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The Rolling Stones launch their SIXTY tour June 1 at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.

The first leg of the trek, which celebrates the British rock legends’ 60th anniversary, will feature 14 concerts in 13 European cities, including a pair of concerts in London’s Hyde Park on June 25 and July 3. The tour winds down on July 31 in Stockholm, Sweden.

The Stones will also visit France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria and the Netherlands, and will play their first show in Liverpool, England, in over 50 years.

According to a press release that announced the outing, the SIXTY tour will feature “a spectacular new … production, including a massive stage, cutting edge lighting and state of the art video design.”

Steve Jordan, who stepped in for longtime Stones drummer Charlie Watts on the band’s 2021 No Filter tour of the U.S. after Watts’ death last August, will once again will be behind the kit for this trek.

The launch of the SIXTY tour also coincides with Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood‘s 75th birthday. The band posted a message on its social media sites that reads, “Happy birthday Ronnie Wood!! We’ll see you on stage tonight in Madrid to celebrate!”

The opening acts for tonight’s show are Sidonie and Vargas Blues Band. The latter act features John Byron Jagger, who is Stones frontman Mick Jagger‘s nephew.

As they have done for the last several years, The Stones are offering fans the chance to choose one song that they play prior to each show on their tour via an online vote.

Yesterday, Mick posted a series of photos on his Facebook page capturing him visiting various sites around Madrid.

Visit RollingStones.com to check out the band’s full tour schedule.

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