Katy Perry is jumping into the world of podcasts and will narrate the upcoming series Elizabeth The First.
The “Roar” hitmaker’s Kitty Purry Productions will launch the 10-episode series, which is all about actress and fashion icon Elizabeth Taylor, later this spring. The late actress’ estate, House of Taylor, is a partner in this new venture.
“Like most people, I was attracted to her glamour, and in my own life, I continue to find myself referencing her through some of my visuals. I’ve always felt a kinship towards her – I’ve even literally bathed in the same bathtub where she made that bar-setting Cleopatra deal,” Katy said in a statement.
“I’m inspired by her bold activism, her constant boss moves in business, and through it all, an unapologetic way of loving – all things I try to live in my own life. It’s an honor to be able to share her story in this way,” she continued.
The podcast will not only take a deep dive into Elizabeth Taylor’s life and career, including her battles against sexism and addiction, it will also share never-before-heard audio and stories about the National Velvet star.
House of Taylor said the upcoming podcast is “extraordinarily special” because it’s “the first narrative that explores Elizabeth as the original multi-hyphenate. She did it all and we believe wholeheartedly that this take on Elizabeth will resonate with audiences.”
The estate added of the Grammy nominee, “We choose our partners very carefully and could not be more elated to have worked with Katy Perry.”
Elizabeth The First is slated to arrive “in Late Spring 2022.”
Tariq St. Patrick and Brayden Weston are at it again, this time in an off-screen joint venture.
According to Deadline, Power Book II: Ghost co-stars Michael Rainey Jr. and Gianni Paolo have launched Twenty Two Entertainment, a media company that will produce films and TV series, among other things.
“The boys can’t be stopped!!,” said Paolo in an Instagram announcement. Rainey Jr. shared the news in a similar post saying, “Checkin em off the list one by one CEO boyz @giannivpaolo #GM.”
The first project out of the newly formed company will be the podcast The Crew Has It, which will be hosted by Paolo and Rainey Jr. The duo will interview actors, hip hop and R&B stars, dish about the beloved Power franchise and more.
Twenty Two Entertainment is funded by the full-service production company Artist for Artist, founded by SNL’s Kenan Thompson along with CEO John Ryan Jr. On partnering with the Power stars, Ryan Jr. says, “Kenan and I built Artists For Artists to support hard-working creators like Gianni and Michael, and we look forward to sharing their dynamic slate of entertainment.”
“Thank you to everybody who has supported Mike and I along the way but we only getting started!!!!!” Paolo said.
The Scorpions, who recently launched their “Sin City Nights” Las Vegas residency, will head to New York City in May to headline a concert at Madison Square Garden celebrating the 50th anniversary of the country of Bangladesh’s independence.
The Golden Jubilee Bangladesh Concert will take place on May 6, and Chirkutt, one of Bangladesh’s most prominent rock bands, will open the show.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit the United Nations Development Programme’s global campaign to raise awareness about cyber security programs for the young people, particularly underdeveloped nations.
Tickets for the concert go on sale to the general public this Monday, April 4, at 10 a.m. ET via Ticketmaster.com. Members of The Scorpions Rock Zone fan club will have exclusive access to pre-sale tickets starting this Thursday, March 31, at 10 a.m. ET. For more information, visit The-Scorpions.com/RockZone.
Madison Square Garden also was the site of the famous Concert for Bangladesh, which was organized by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar to raise aid and awareness for people affected by the country’s war for independence. The August 1971 event included performances by Harrison, Shankar, Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston and other stars.
As previously reported, The Scorpions’ “Sin City Nights” residency is a nine-show engagement taking place at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino that began this past Saturday, March 26, and runs through an April 16. Tickets are available now via Ticketmaster.com.
After the residency and the Madison Square Garden concert, the band will launch a lengthy European tour leg that begins May 10 in Lisbon, Portugal. The Scorpions currently are supporting their latest studio album, Rock Believer, which was released in February.
(NEW YORK) — Severe weather on Wednesday has prompted tornado watches for parts of four southern states, including some areas still cleaning up damage from a swarm of twisters that hit last week.
Portions of Arkansas, northern Louisiana, east Texas and southeast Oklahoma were under a tornado watch issued by the National Weather Service, which is also forecasting wind gusts in excess of 75 mph and inch-size hail. The tornado warnings are expected to stay in effect through Wednesday night.
A wildfire burning in northeast Oklahoma has prompted evacuations.
A major storm system is pushing east out of the Rocky Mountains and is expected to bring severe weather outbreaks to the South.
Severe weather is forecasted for cities such as Dallas, Jackson, Memphis and Mobile.
A possible tornado touched down in Springdale, Arkansas early Wednesday, causing heavy damage to an elementary school and injuring seven people, two critically, according to ABC affiliate station KATV in Little Rock.
The Springdale School District said on its Facebook page that George Elementary School was damaged by a potential tornado. The district posted photos showing the elementary school’s destroyed gymnasium and reported that the school’s kitchen and cafeteria were severely damaged.
A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. People in those areas are advised to be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and stay tuned for announcements from local authorities.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning Tuesday night as storms moved into Oklahoma’s Seminole County, producing 60 mph wind gusts and inch-size hail.
The weather service also confirmed a tornado in eastern St. Joseph, Missouri, Tuesday night. No injuries were immediately reported and a damage assessment is taking place Wednesday.
Oklahoma emergency management officials were not only dealing with tornado warnings Wednesday but also fire warnings as well. Evacuations have been issued in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, due to a wildfire. Roger Mills Emergency Management officials on Tuesday asked that residents to evacuate their homes in the Durham and Dead Warrior Lake areas in northwestern Roger Mills County, where severe weather is expected to move in on Wednesday.
Some areas where tornado watches have been issued were struck last week by more than 60 tornadoes that ripped through the southeast. Most of the tornadoes were reported in Texas, where a 73-year-old woman was killed and 10 people were injured in Grayson County.
Two tornadoes touched down on March 22 in New Orleans, causing widespread damage in St. Bernard’s Parish, including the Ninth Ward, Chalmette and Arabi. One person was killed in Arabi, officials said.
Severe weather this week has also stretched into the northeast, where a snow squall on Monday led to a multiple-car pileup on Interstate 81 in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania State Police said on Wednesday that six people were killed in the pileup in Schuylkill County that included 39 commercial vehicles and 41 passenger vehicles.
Interstate 81 reopened just after midnight Wednesday following an investigation and cleanup.
ABC News’ Max Golembo and Whitney Lloyd contributed to this report.
(NEW YORK) — Bruce Willis’ family has announced the actor has been diagnosed with aphasia and is “stepping away” from his career due to the diagnosis.
The 67-year-old actor’s wife, Emma Heming Willis; his ex-wife, Demi Moore; and his daughters shared a photo of him on Instagram on Wednesday with a lengthy message on his health.
“To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,” their message began. “As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, aphasia is “a condition that robs you of the ability to communicate,” and the disorder can impact one’s “ability to speak, write and understand language, both verbal and written.”
The medical nonprofit says the language disorder “typically occurs suddenly after a stroke or a head injury.”
There are several different types of the language disorder, and the condition “usually occurs suddenly, often following a stroke or head injury, but it may also develop slowly, as the result of a brain tumor or a progressive neurological disease,” according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
The impact of treatment depends on “the cause of the brain injury, the area of the brain that was damaged and its extent, and the age and health of the individual,” according to the NIDCD.
The disorder affects around 2 million people in the United Statues, the National Aphasia Association says, and almost 180,000 Americans are diagnosed with it every year.
The Die Hard actor’s family did not provide further details on his condition but did expression their gratitude for support from his fans.
“This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support,” the message from the actor’s family read. “We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him.”
“As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up,’ and together we plan to do just that,” they added.
Shawn Mendes teased his upcoming single, “When You’re Gone,” as well as its music video on Wednesday.
The Grammy winner shared a snippet with Good Morning America, giving fans a taste of what’s to come. The clip contained the lyrics, “Hold on/ I don’t wanna know what it’s like when you’re gone/ I don’t wanna move on/ I don’t wanna know what it’s like when you’re gone for good/ You’re slipping through my finger tips/ A little bit/ By a little bit/ I didn’t know that loving you was the happiest I’ve ever been.”
Shawn also shared a brief teaser of the music video, which shows him performing the song before a screaming crowd of fans.
“When You’re Gone” drops Thursday at midnight. It’ll be his followup to his other breakup anthem, “It’ll Be Okay.”
Shawn’s next music era appears to explore his breakup with girlfriend Camila Cabello, whom he dated for two years.
The “Stitches” singer isn’t the only one to use the breakup as a source of musical inspiration, as Camila previously admitted she will sing about her respective heartbreak in the upcoming album, Familia, due out April 8.
Fans believe the two are communicating with each other through their music, with Shawn seemingly insisting he didn’t want things to end while Camila appearing to hint their separation was for the best.
The “Havana” singer teased a new song clip on TikTok, where she asks, “Did you get the space you needed?/ Did you realize you don’t need me?” She shared another song teaser on Monday that hints Shawn may have forced a wedge between the two by not opening up to her emotionally.
The late August Wilson‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, The Piano Lesson will return to Broadway in September and award-winning actors Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington and Danielle Brooks are set to star.
The groundbreaking play, which debuted over 30 years ago in 1990, will be directed by actress and Tony Award nominee Latanya Richardson Jackson, marking the first time ever, an August Wilson play will be led by a woman.
“August Wilson dedicated his life and devoted his talent to dramatizing our stories and our experience,” Richardson Jackson said. “The Piano Lesson is one of his most enduring, profound and consequential masterpieces, and I am reveling in this opportunity to present it to Broadway audiences for the first time since its premiere.”
As the fourth play as part of Wilson’s seminal American Century Cycle, the drama follows a brother and sister who “are locked in a war over the fate of a family heirloom: a piano carved with the faces of their ancestors.”
Producers Brian Anthony Moreland (Thoughts of a Colored Man) Sonia Friedman (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and Tom Kirdahy (Hadestown) said, “This production is coming back to Broadway at such an exciting time for our industry as we work to rebuild – and who better than Mr. Wilson to help us.”
Performances begin Sept. 19, at the St. James Theatre.
Jared Leto stars in Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man-adjacent action film Morbius, opening April 1, and during an appearance on Tuesday’s The Tonight Show, he talked about playing the titular character, and a possible connection to Marvel’s Sinister Six group of villains.
Leto plays the titular character in Morbius, whose attempt to cure himself, and humanity, of a deadly disease gives Dr. Michael Morbius all the powers of a vampire. The Thirty Second’s to Mars frontman told Fallon he was honored to be the first to bring the character to life.
“This is, like, the first time I’ve ever starred in a big Marvel movie like this and I’m incredibly excited,” he said. “It’s the first time that Morbius has ever been on the screen, so that was a big honor to get asked to bring this character to life.”
Leto says he’s had a fascination with vampires dating back to his childhood, thanks to his grandmother. “I saw the original Dracula because of her,” he recalls. “I was up late at night…I was sleeping on the floor, which you do when you’re a kid…and she let me stay up and watch the originalDracula with her and that’s when I fell in love with vampires.”
Fallon then pulled out a picture of Leto at the Spider-Man: No Way Home premiere, in which he was wearing a chain with the numeral “6,” and pressed Jared on a possible appearance by Morbius as part of the Sinister Six supervillains squad in a future Marvel film, many of whom we’ve already seen in past Spider-Man films.
A poker-faced Leto replied, “It was actually meant to be a nine, it just got flipped.”
Leto can currently be seen starring opposite Anne Hathaway in Apple TV+’s WeCrashed.
On her Instagram, Rumer Willisrevealed that her father, Bruce Willis is “stepping away” from the limelight, following the diagnosis of a condition that can rob someone of their ability to communicate.
“To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,” began the message, which was posted with a picture of the 67-year-old Die Hard series star in a bath robe, smirking with a towel on his head.
“As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him,” Rumer explained.
“This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support. We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him,” the message continued.
“As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that,” Rumer said.
Rumer’s post was signed off with “love” from herself, as well as her mom and Bruce’s ex-wife Demi Moore, her sisters Scout and Tallulah, and Mabel and Evelyn, Bruce’s young daughters with his model wife Emma Heming Willis.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Aphasia typically occurs suddenly after a stroke or a head injury. But it can also come on gradually from a slow-growing brain tumor or a disease that causes progressive, permanent damage (degenerative). The severity of aphasia depends on a number of conditions, including the cause and the extent of the brain damage.”
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Paul McCartney has joined the long list of famous artists paying tribute to Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died Friday, March 25, at age 50.
In a message posted on his official website and social media pages, McCartney who is a longtime friend of the Foo Fighters, writes, “Taylor’s sudden death came as a shock to me and the people who knew and loved him…Not only was he a GREAT drummer but his personality was big and shiny and will be sorely missed by all who were lucky to live and work alongside him.”
Sir Paul goes on to note, “I was asked by the Foo Fighters to play on one of their tracks. It turned out that they wanted me to play drums! — on one of Taylor’s songs [referring to ‘Sunday Rain,’ from the band’s 2017 album Concrete and Gold]. This request came from a group with TWO amazing drummers! It was an incredible session and cemented my relationship with Taylor and the guys.”
McCartney then reflects on the Foo Fighters asking him to induct them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 2021 ceremony.
“I sang with them on ‘Get Back,'” Paul notes. “Taylor provided a powerhouse drum part. I’ll never forget that night. All of which made it much more of a desperately sad shock to hear he had died.”
McCartney concludes, “So thanks Taylor for sharing some glorious minutes with me. You were a true Rock and Roll hero and will always remain in my heart. God bless his family and band — Love Paul X.”
Interestingly, McCartney and the Foos will be competing against each other for two honors at the Grammy Awards this Sunday — Best Rock Song and Best Rock Album.
