The Guns N’ Roses frontman was born on February 6, 1962, 60 years ago this Sunday. He moved to Los Angeles in the early ’80s, and in 1985, Guns N’ Roses was formed with Rose on vocals, guitarists Slash and Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Steven Adler, now referred to as the band’s classic lineup.
Two years later, GN’R released their debut album, Appetite for Destruction, which spawned hit singles in “Welcome to Jungle,” “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “Paradise City,” and went on to become one of the best-selling records of all time.
GN’R followed Appetite with 1988’s GN’R Lies, and then 1991’s Use Your Illusion I and II. By then, drummer Adler had been fired from the group because of his drug use, and the band had earned a bad reputation due to destructive behavior on the road. Stradlin soon left, too.
Guns would release one more album, a covers compilation called “The Spaghetti Incident?”, in 1993, before Slash and McKagan eventually departed the group in 1996 and 1997, respectively.
Rose, the only remaining original member, continued to work on new GN’R music for a new album called Chinese Democracy, which would become one of the most notorious records in history while sitting in development hell for a decade before finally being released in 2008.
As Rose kept touring GN’R without his old band mates, fans wondered whether a reunion was ever possible. Finally, in 2016, Slash and McKagan rejoined for the Not in This Lifetime tour, a reference to Rose’s previous comments regarding a reunion. The run became the third highest-grossing tour of all time.
In between, Rose fronted AC/DC in 2016 in place of Brian Johnson, who was sidelined due to hearing issues.
Netflix rolled out the red carpet for a star-packed preview of its upcoming 2022 movies, featuring a Who’s Who of Hollywood.
Interestingly, the stars sound off from the sets of their respective films for the streaming service, as if their characters are breaking the fourth wall to talk to viewers.
“Tonight is movie night,” Jennifer Lopez opens the preview, on a boat in her upcoming film, The Mother.
“You can go places your dreams can’t dream of,” follows Jason Momoa, in full costume — and goat horns — from the set of Slumberland.
Jamie Foxx, in the middle of a Day Shift car stunt, continues, “Or, see things that will give your nightmares nightmares.”
Ryan Gosling, choking a guy on top of a speeding bus in the spy thriller The Grey Man, offers, “In here, you can make your escape.”
Henry Cavill, from the narrow 19th-century London streets of Enola Holmes, says, “In here, mystery sparks extraordinary adventure.” Co-star Millie Bobby Brown replies, gesturing to the camera, “The real mystery is why you’re talking to them! I thought that was my thing!”
“In here you can make an incredible discovery,” Halle Berry adds from an outdoor set on The Mothership, to which TheAdam Project star Ryan Reynolds continues from an elevator, “Or feel like a kid again.”
Interspersed between the comments are clips from all the stars’ films, as well as sneak peeks of Daniel Craig in Knives Out 2, Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key in Wendell & Wild, Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg in Me Time, Hustle and Spaceman from Adam Sandler, Foxx’s They Cloned Tyrone, and many more.
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Universal Pictures Internationa
Ed Sheeran has appeared in his fair share of movies and TV shows — Game of Thrones comes to mind — but the grand majority of these appearances were either cameos or roles where he played himself. Now, the “Shivers” singer has landed what may be his biggest role yet.
Complex UK reports that Ed is set to star alongside Absolutely Famous star Jennifer Saunders and Penny Dreadful‘s Danny Sapani in the upcoming action-comedy, Sumotherhood.
The movie’s director, Adam Deacon, told the outlet he is “so excited” about the upcoming film and teased he “can’t wait to bring these wacky and crazy characters to life.” The movie will touch upon the “variety of life in East London in 2022,” which will be “darkly authentic, as well as embracing the vibrant and diverse lifestyle of living in an East London council estate,” he added.
Filming is underway now but a release date has yet to be announced. Ed has yet to talk about his new movie nor has it been revealed the role he’ll play in the film.
After a tease earlier this week, Machine Gun Kelly has released his collaboration with WILLOW.
The track, titled “Emo Girl,” finds both MGK and WILLOW singing the chorus, “I fell in love an emo girl.” You’ll also hear a reference to Blink-182, as well a sample of Megan Fox‘s “I am a god” line from Jennifer’s Body.
“Emo Girl,” which is available now for digital download, will appear on Kelly’s upcoming album Mainstream Sellout, formerly titled Born with Horns. The record, which is once again produced by MGK’s Tickets to My Downfall collaborator Travis Barker, finally has a release date: March 25.
This weekend, Machine Gun Kelly will be performing during the NHL All-Star Game, taking place on Saturday in Las Vegas. Next Thursday, he’ll head to Los Angeles to play a the Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest,
Willie joins her siblings Rhys James Carney, who arrived in 2018, and Owen Isabelle Landau, Michelle’s 16-year-old daughter from her previous marriage.
On Christmas Day of 2020, Michelle announced that she’d suffered a miscarriage, and revealed in August of 2021 that she was expecting again. Carney and the “Everywhere” singer began dating in 2015 and married in 2019.
Carney will have some time to enjoy the new addition, since The Black Keys’ Dropout Boogie Tour isn’t kicking off until July 9. Tickets go on sale today.
The forthcoming movie musical of The Color Purple has found its leading ladies.
American Idol season three winner Fantasia will play Celie and Orange Is the New Black alum Danielle Brooks will play Sofia, it was announced Thursday during ABC News’ Soul of a Nation Presents: Screen Queens Rising.
The parts were made famous by Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, respectively, in Steven Spielberg‘s 1985 film adaptation of Alice Walker‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1982 novel of the same name. Both actresses earned their first Oscar nominations for their work in the movie.
A musical version of the iconic work was staged on Broadway from 2005 to 2008, with Fantasia playing the role of Celie from 2007 to 2008 during the original Broadway run. Brooks earned a Tony nod for playing Sofia in the Broadway revival, which ran from 2015 to 2017.
Winfrey surprised a very emotional Brooks with a Zoom call to tell her she landed the role, saying, “I am here representing all things purple to tell you that you are our Sophia. I’m so happy to pass whatever baton from 35 — almost 40 — years ago to you. And I know you’re gonna kill it.”
“My heart is so full,” a teary Brooks said. “I’m going to make you so proud.”
“You already have,” Winfrey responded. “I wanted to be the one to tell you because you know I have such love for her, this character, everything she represents and everything she brought to my life. And what I’m hoping is that she does the same thing for you.”
Fantasia and Brooks join a star-studded The Color Purple cast including Taraji P. Henson, H.E.R. and Halle Bailey. The film, to be directed by Blitz Bazawule, begins production this spring and is slated for release in 2023.
(NEW YORK) — Thirty-three states from Texas to Maine are on alert Friday morning for snow, ice, bitter cold and flooding as a massive winter storm continues its push east.
With 5,210 flights canceled Thursday nationwide, including over 1,400 in Dallas, the day marked the highest number of weather-related cancellations since March 14, 2017.
Over 310,000 customers are without power Friday morning across Tennessee, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Texas and Kentucky.
The monster storm brought more than 1 foot of snow from Missouri to western New York over the last 36 hours, bringing roads to a standstill.
Indianapolis recorded a record daily snowfall Thursday with 7.3 inches.
The storm brought 1.7 inches of snow to Dallas — more than the city usually sees in an entire year.
The storm even brought freezing rain down to Texas’ Gulf Coast. Police in Houston are urging drivers to stay off the roads due to ice, and Houston schools are closed Friday.
Texans are still feeling the freeze Friday morning with the wind chill — what temperature it feels like — hitting about 8 degrees in Dallas, 7 degrees in Austin and 1 degree in Lubbock.
On Friday morning, the heavy snow and ice are pummeling the inland Northeast from New York state to Maine. An additional 6 inches of snow is possible in New England.
As temperatures drop Friday morning, icy conditions will develop along the Interstate-95 corridor from New Jersey to New York City to Boston. And the temperatures will continue to plummet for the Northeast Friday night, so whatever rain or freezing rain falls will freeze on any untreated roads.
The storm moves out of the Northeast Friday night. But those in the Northeast will wake up to freezing temperatures Saturday, with the wind chill forecast to plunge to 4 degrees in Boston, 6 degrees in New York City and 12 degrees in Washington, D.C.
(BEIJING) — For the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, officials have established a series of rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
This will mark the second Olympics since the pandemic began, which will be held between Feb. 3 and Feb. 20. The Paralympic Games will follow from March 4 to March 13.
China has enforced strict measures to limit the spread of the virus within its borders and there will be no loosening of these restrictions when it comes to the Olympics.
This means no spectators aside from a few local fans, a closed loop system, a rigorous testing program and stringent measures for those who test positive.
ABC News took a closer look at some of the rules that have been established for the Games.
Vaccinate or undergo quarantine
According to the Olympics playbook, all participants must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arriving in Beijing to avoid quarantine.
Only certain exceptions will be made if an athlete has a history of allergic reaction to a component of the vaccine or is using any immunosuppression medication.
Games officials also recommend that all participants receive a booster before traveling to China.
Anyone who is not vaccinated has to quarantine in Beijing for 21 days before being allowed in the closed loop system.
Regardless of vaccination status, all athletes and personnel must take two PCR tests at least 24 hours apart within 96 hours of their flight to China.
Closed loop system
Similar to Tokyo, Beijing has implemented a closed loop system in which athletes, coaches and their staff will undergo daily screening and testing.
Additionally, buses and trains designated for the Games will specifically move participants to the opening and closing ceremonies, training venues, competition venues, victory ceremonies and the Olympic Village, where most of the athletes are staying.
“This is to ensure there is no contact with the general public or anyone outside of the closed loop,” according to the playbook.
Minimizing physical interaction
The playbook also offers guidance for how athletes can minimize contact with each other while in the closed loop system.
Officials recommend athletes avoid hugs and handshakes and stay away from enclosed spaces or large crowds.
Individuals are also required to keep 2 meters (6 feet) from athletes, and athletes must keep 1 meter (3 feet) from each other.
Mask-wearing will be enforced at all times except “when training, competing, eating, drinking, sleeping, when alone, or during interviews, stand-ups and live presentations,” the playbook states.
Criteria for testing positive
Games officials said they are expecting more COVID-19 cases to emerge.
During a press conference last month, Dr. Brian McCloskey, chair of the Olympics medical expert panel, said the goal is “zero spread” not “zero cases.”
Because of this, Beijing has adjusted its rules regarding the threshold for when someone is considered to be positive with a figure known as the cycle threshold (CT) value.
After a sample is collected, it is isolated and undergoes multiple amplification cycles in an effort to detect viral RNA, or genetic material.
The CT value is the number of cycles needed before RNA is found, at which point the machine stops working. The higher the number, the less infectious a person is considered.
Previously, participants had to meet a CT value of 40 to be considered positive for COVID-19. Now they will have to meet a standard of 35.
What happens when participants test positive?
Any athletes who test positive will immediately be removed from the Games and the Olympic Village.
Symptomatic participants will be taken to a designated hospital while those who are asymptomatic will be in an isolation facility.
Sick individuals will not be allowed back into the closed loop system until all symptoms clear and they test negative twice in a row with two tests taken 24 hours apart.
Few spectators
There will be very few spectators in the stands to watch the athletes compete in the Games.
No fans from other countries are allowed to attend and only spectators who are selected will be allowed to watch the events in person.
“In order to ensure the safety of all participants and spectators, it has been decided that tickets should not be sold anymore but be part of an adapted program that will invite groups of spectators to be present on site during the Games,” according to an announcement released on Jan. 17.
Leaving China
All athletes and personnel will be transported to Beijing Capital International Airport using transportation services designated specifically for the Games.
Close contacts of anyone who has tested positive will be able to leave China as long as they test negative within the last 24 hours.
No more than 24 hours before leaving China, travelers will be required to fill out the online Customs Health Declaration form to show to airport officials and/or gate agents before boarding flights.
(BEIJING) — The 2022 Winter Olympics kicked off in China’s capital this week with the opening ceremony on Friday, marking the official start of the Games.
While preliminary competitions have already begun in curling, ice hockey, luge and various skiing events, the opening ceremony is a chance for the host country to make a statement to the world with an unforgettable display and performance. The much-awaited spectacle is taking place at the National Stadium in Beijing starting at 8 p.m. local time (7 a.m. ET) and is being broadcast live on NBC.
The United States has imposed a diplomatic boycott of this year’s Beijing Olympics. While American athletes will still participate, President Joe Biden’s administration will not send an official delegation to the Games due to China’s “ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity” in the northwestern Xinjiang region, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters last December. The move was swiftly followed by Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Here are key moments from the opening ceremony. All times Eastern:
Feb 04, 9:49 am
Olympic cauldron is lit
The torch was passed from speedskater Zhao Weichang to short-track athlete Li Yan, before being passed to short-track athlete Yang Yang, track-and-field Olympian Su Bingtian and short-track athlete Zhou Yang.
It was then passed to two final 2022 Olympians: cross-country skier Dinigeer Yilamujiang and Nordic Combined athlete Jiawen Zhao.
The two lit the Olympic cauldron together to represent gender equality.
Dinigeer is from Xinjiang and is of the Uyghur minority. Chinese President Xi Jinping and the nation’s government have been accused of genocide and human rights violations against this population, prompting international protests and a U.S. diplomatic boycott.
Feb 04, 9:27 am
Xi declares Games open as performances continue
Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing officially open, following remarks from International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
The declaration was followed by a display of fireworks overhead and skaters gliding across the stadium floor, revealing colorful images behind them.
Next, there was a rendition of John Lennon’s iconic song “Imagine.” Then another poignant, snowflake-filled performance where dozens of children joyfully sang in unison.
Feb 04, 9:22 am
Messages of peace and solidarity drive speeches
Beijing Communist Party Secretary and President of the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee Cai Qi thanked and welcomed the athletes, offering words of peace and unity — a running theme throughout the opening ceremony.
“The Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 is to show the world how people boldly rise to challenges and forge ahead into the future that is being worked together to add a new chapter to building a community with a shared future for mankind,” he said.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach in turn thanked the Chinese people “wholeheartedly” for being “gracious hosts” and “welcoming us all so warmly” in his official speech in the opening ceremony.
He also extended gratitude to those on the front lines, including doctors and scientists, for their “outstanding efforts and solidarity” amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.
He made no direct mention of the alleged Uyghur genocide and crimes against humanity in the country but did emphasize the importance of peace and unity.
“You will live peacefully together under one roof in the Olympic village,” Bach told athletes. “There will be no discrimination for any reason whatsoever.”
“In our fragile world with division, conflict and mistrust on the rise, we show the world, yes, it is possible to be fierce rivals while at the same time living peacefully and respectfully together,” he added, saying this is the mission of the Olympic games.
He then said: “I appeal to all political authorities across the world: Observe your commitment to this Olympic truce. Give peace a chance.”
Feb 04, 8:54 am
Dazzling display represents unity
Snowflakes representing all of the countries converged on the floor of the National Stadium, symbolizing the world coming together.
The imagery was inspired by the uniqueness of each individual snowflake, as well as a Chinese poem that describes a snowy canopy at the center of a gathering.
A stunning 3D display of the Northern Lights took over the arena, as dancers filled the stadium in the next portion of the creative performance.
Feb 04, 8:40 am
A ‘Parade of Nations’ enters the ‘Bird’s Nest’
After a short but colorful opening performance, some of the athletes from the participating Olympic teams marched into the “Bird’s Nest” for the hourlong “Parade of Nations” segment of the ceremony.
The parade has been part of the opening ceremonies at the Games since the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. Traditionally, each team chooses just one flag-bearer for the parade. But starting last year at the pandemic-delayed 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, teams were encouraged to select both a male and female representative to carry their flag.
As with the opening ceremony of the pandemic-delayed 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, all athletes marching in this “Parade of Nations” wore face masks to protect against COVID-19.
Teams entered the “Bird’s Nest” in order by the number of strokes in the first character of their name in the Chinese writing system. However, the first team to enter is always Greece because that’s where the ancient Games originated in 776 B.C.
And as the host of the next Winter Olympics in 2026, Italy’s team was second-to-last to enter the stadium. The current host country, China, was last.
With Russia’s team name, flag and national anthem once again banned from the Games over allegations of a state-backed doping program, the country’s athletes marched into the stadium this year with the Olympic flag and under the name ROC, an acronym for Russian Olympic Committee.
It’s the third time that Russia has not been able to use its own name, flag or anthem at the Olympics. Last summer, Russian athletes competed as part of the ROC at the Tokyo Games. During the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Russia’s team was branded as OAR, an acronym for Olympic Athletes from Russia.
Team USA was 56th to enter the stadium, with the second-largest delegation in U.S. history.
Bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor and curler John Shuster were named Team USA’s flag-bearers. However, Meyers Taylors was unable to attend the opening ceremony because she tested positive for COVID-19. Speed skater Brittany Bowe marched in her place during the “Parade of Nations.”
Feb 04, 7:04 am
Opening ceremony kicks off
The opening ceremony for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing has begun.
The event is taking place at the National Stadium in Beijing. The 80,000-seat stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, will also hold the closing ceremony on Feb. 20. It was the same venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics, which was the last time China hosted the Games.
Chinese authorities tightened travel restrictions for Beijing ahead of the Games, requiring all travelers to the city to take a nucleic acid test within 72 hours of entry as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Moreover, the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee announced that no public tickets to the Games will be sold due to the “grave and complicated situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the safety of all participants and spectators.” Instead, groups of spectators will be invited to the Games, and “the organizers expect that these spectators will strictly abide by the COVID-19 countermeasures before, during and after each event,” the committee said.
As promised, Nicki Minaj and Lil Baby dropped their new single, “Do We Have a Problem?”, at midnight Friday.
Not only did the duo drop the audio, they released a nearly 10-minute long music video that also stars actors Joseph Sikora and Cory Hardrict.
In the video, Nicki is some sort of operative who is working a case with Sikora as her partner. While interrogating a suspect, she’s solicited to complete a hit on a high-profile target, or else she will become the target.
After successfully performing the hit, Nicki and Lil Baby drive off, eventually making their way to Cuba as Nicki sings in the chorus, “I got a shooter and I got a driver / They want that heat, I’m the only provider.”
When a concerned Sikora finally catches up with her, it’s revealed that Nicki was playing both sides.
“Do we have a problem,” she asks Sikora as she holds a gun to his head.
As if a new single and video weren’t enough, Nicki also gave a glimpse into what’s presumably the next single, which has fans thirsting for her next album.
“WE NEED THAT NEXT SONG ASAPPPP!!!!!!!!” one user wrote on Twitter.
Another chimed in, “THIS ALBUM IS ABOUT TO BE SO [freaking] GOOD.”
“Do We Have a Problem?” is available to stream now.
