Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Drake and more attend Virgil Abloh memorial in Chicago

Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Drake and more attend Virgil Abloh memorial in Chicago
Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Drake and more attend Virgil Abloh memorial in Chicago
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

The late Virgil Abloh was remembered by numerous celebrities during a memorial service Monday in Chicago.

Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Drake, Lauryn Hill, Frank Ocean and more attended the event Monday at the Museum of Contemporary Art in the Windy City, according to USA Today.

“All these different people — colors, ages, backgrounds, religions — all came for one man,” Tyler, the Creator said at the memorial. “That’s what he did: He brought, like, the illest people together.” Abloh’s sister, Edwina, also spoke, and Hill performed.

“Virgil was here,” read a pin Drake showed off in a video posted on Instagram. “love you g,” he captioned the post.

On Novmeber 30 in Miami, Kanye, Kim, Pharrell Williams, Erykah Badu, Kid Cudi and many more attended the first-ever Louis Vuitton United States fashion show, which became a somber tribute to the late Louis Vitton artistic director.

As previously reported, Abloh passed away November 28 after a private two-year battle with cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare, aggressive form of cancer. He was 41. Virgil was the founder of fashion brand Off-White and the first African American to serve as artistic director for Louis Vuitton.

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Jimmie Allen on diversity in country music: “It’s a whole movement coming up”

Jimmie Allen on diversity in country music: “It’s a whole movement coming up”
Jimmie Allen on diversity in country music: “It’s a whole movement coming up”
ABC

Jimmie Allen says country music is in the midst of a “movement” when it comes to diversity.

Chatting with The Nick Cannon Show, Jimmie cites Charley Pride as a major source of inspiration for his career and paving the way for other Black country artists. 

“I remember I was growing up listening to country music and my dad was like, ‘you should sing country music’ and I was like, ‘it’s cool, but I don’t know if there’s anybody that looks like us.’ And then he showed me what Charley Pride looked like,'” Jimmie recalls. 

He also points to his contemporaries including Darius Rucker, Mickey Guyton, Kane Brown, Blanco Brown, Breland, Brittney Spencer, Willie Jones and Tiera as important voices in the genre. 

“It’s a whole movement coming up. It’s beautiful to see where country is starting to get like every other genre where it’s not about the color of your skin, it’s about the music,” Jimmie observes. “It’s good to see that.”

The “Make Me Want To” singer is set to headline his first tour, the Down Home Tour, in 2022. His current single, “Freedom Was a Highway,” featuring Brad Paisley, is currently in the top 10 on country radio.

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One of the most mispronounced words of 2021 is…Billie Eilish?

One of the most mispronounced words of 2021 is…Billie Eilish?
One of the most mispronounced words of 2021 is…Billie Eilish?
ABC/Randy Holmes

With 2021 coming to a close, it’s time to review the words that gave Americans the most agony over the past year.  While many struggled over how to pronounce the newest COVID-19 variant, omicron (OH-mee-kraan, per ABC News standards), others butchered Billie Eilish‘s name.

The U.S. Captioning Company, which is the nation’s leading television captioning service, keeps track of the words that gave television personalities and newscasters the most trouble and released its annual list of the biggest offenders.  

Surprisingly, Eilish was on this year’s roundup.  Considering that the alt-pop superstar burst into the limelight more than two years ago following her breakout hit “bad guy,” it begs to question why her last name is only wreaking havoc now.

For those who still have doubts, U.S. Captioning Company says the correct way to pronounce Eilish is “EYE-lish.”

Two other individuals made the list this year, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce — whose last name is pronounced “KELSS” with a hard S, not “KELL-see” — and Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas, whose name is pronounced “STEH-fuh-nohs TSEE-tsee-pas.” 

Gen-Z slang, such as the millennial-bashing term Cheugy, pronounced CHOO-gee; and Yassify, pronounced YEAH-sih-fai, where multiple beauty filters are applied for comedic effect, also made this year’s roundup.

Other terms that made the cut include the restaurant chain Chipotle [chih-POHT-lay], the Scottish city Glasgow [GLAHZ-go], and the cryptocurrencies Dogecoin [DOJH-coin] and Ethereum [ih-THEE-ree-um], as well as the Ever Given [EV-er GIV-en], the ship that famously blocked the Suez Canal.

The report was commissioned by Babbel, a platform that teaches users how to speak other languages.

 

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Nick Cannon reveals that his five-month-old son passed away

Nick Cannon reveals that his five-month-old son passed away
Nick Cannon reveals that his five-month-old son passed away
Bruce Glikas/WireImage

In a very emotional announcement, Nick Cannon revealed Tuesday on his television show that his five-month-old son Zen Scott Cannon passed away over the weekend.

Zen died Sunday from brain cancer. Nick explained that he took Zen to the ocean to enjoy the sunrise, and he described “holding his son for the last time.”

“I have so much faith in God,” the talk show host said before a live audience. “He puts the heaviest weight on His strongest soldiers. So I am here. I’m gonna make it through.”

Nick left his family in California to fly to New York City for his television program.

“This is a special show dedicated to my beautiful son,” he proclaimed as tears welled in his eyes.

The 41-year-old entertainer told the audience that his son developed fluid in his head, and doctors discovered that he had a malignant tumor, which led to brain surgery. 

“I embraced every moment,” Cannon said of his short time with Zen. “I am so grateful to my family for coming together during this time.”

Zen, whose mother was model Alyssa Scott, was the youngest of Nick’s seven children.

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Delphi murders: Police investigating fake model profile who contacted underage girls

Delphi murders: Police investigating fake model profile who contacted underage girls
Delphi murders: Police investigating fake model profile who contacted underage girls
iStock/ChiccoDodiFC

(NEW YORK) — Police investigating the mysterious Delphi, Indiana, murders are looking for the person who, they said, created fake Snapchat and Instagram profiles, posed as a wealthy male model and contacted underage girls.

Delphi eighth-graders Abby Williams, 13, and Libby German, 14, were killed on Feb. 13, 2017 while walking on a local hiking trail. The girls had documented some of their walk on Snapchat. Years later, no arrests have been made.

While investigating the double killing, authorities found a fake online profile called “anthony_shots,” which used photos of a known male model and communicated with underage girls “to solicit nude images, obtain their addresses, and attempt to meet them,” Indiana State Police said in a news release Monday.

Anthony_shots “portrayed himself as being extremely wealthy and owning numerous sports cars,” police said.

Authorities are now looking for information about the person who created the anthony_shots profile, which was used in 2016 and 2017 on Snapchat and Instagram, police said.

The male model in the photos has been identified and isn’t a person of interest, police said.

Police asked anyone who communicated with, met with or tried to meet the anthony_shots profile to contact law enforcement at abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com or 765-822-3535. Indiana State Police spokesman Sgt. Jeremy Piers wouldn’t say if Abby and Libby communicated with the fake profile.

The Delphi case has been a mystery for years.

Soon after Abby and Libby were killed, authorities released a grainy image of the suspect, who they say was on the hiking trail the day the girls went missing. State police in 2019 released video footage from Libby’s phone; the brief video clip showed a grainy image of the suspect walking on the bridge near where the girls were last seen.

Police also publicized the suspect’s voice — a recording of him saying “down the hill” — which was recovered from Libby’s phone.

Police in 2019 released a new suspect sketch that officials said was based on a witness’ recollection of what he or she saw.

 

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Fans can finally watch Mariah Carey’s 1996 Tokyo concert

Fans can finally watch Mariah Carey’s 1996 Tokyo concert
Fans can finally watch Mariah Carey’s 1996 Tokyo concert
Rob Verhorst/Redferns

For the first time, you can own your very own copy of Mariah Carey: Live at the Tokyo Dome, which chronicles her first show in Japan. Sony Music Entertainment has released the iconic 1996 concert for digital purchase and rental for the first time.

The concert video not only takes us to another country, it throws us 25 years into the past — when Mariah was trotting the globe as part of her Daydream World Tour, which promoted the 1995 album of the same name.  Daydream produced the hits “Fantasy,” “One Sweet Day” and “Always Be My Baby.” 

The 80-minute concert special not only features the Grammy winner belting out then-new songs from the album, she also performs “Emotions,” “Dreamlover,” and her holiday smash, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

Aside from the concert, the film includes early music videos and behind the scenes footage taken in 1991.  It will also show just how much Mariah has grown as an artist by featuring an interview that was taken right after her very first live performance at the Tatou Club in New York.

Mariah Carey: Live at the Tokyo Dome is now available to purchase and rent on Sony Picture’s website, as well as the Apple TV+ and Vudu streaming services.

 

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Florida Georgia Line at forefront of new 2022 Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit

Florida Georgia Line at forefront of new 2022 Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit
Florida Georgia Line at forefront of new 2022 Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit
John Shearer

Florida Georgia Line are the latest artists to have their legacy cemented at the Country Music Hall of Fame with the upcoming exhibit, Florida Georgia Line: Mix It Up Strong

Opening in 2022, the exhibit chronicles the duo of Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley‘s journey from meeting as students at an on-campus worship service at Belmont University in 2008, to becoming one of the biggest acts in country music history. 

Among the items on display are childhood memorabilia including the saxophone and guitar Tyler played as child, and the cap Brian wore while playing on his high school baseball team. Momentous accomplishments from their career are also captured, including the guitar Brian used when writing FGL’s RIAA Diamond-certified hit, “Cruise,” plus outfits worn in their music videos and more.

“To be chosen for an exhibit is the ultimate honor as an artist, and we can’t thank the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum enough,” Tyler says in a statement. “I can’t wait for opening day, when we can stand back and take in this blessing with everyone that’s supported us along the way.” 

“We are both dreamers and always striving to go big. To have the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum now feature our wild ride is surreal and humbling,” adds Brian. “I couldn’t be more excited about this exhibit and to be able to relive each step of our journey. Here’s to the good times!”

The exhibit opens on January 21. FGL will sit down at the CMHOF for an interview and performance on February 6.

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Suspect arrested for Jacqueline Avant fatal shooting charged with murder

Suspect arrested for Jacqueline Avant fatal shooting charged with murder
Suspect arrested for Jacqueline Avant fatal shooting charged with murder
Jacqueline and Clarence Avant; Paras Griffin/FilmMagic

The suspect in the fatal shooting of Jacqueline Avant on December 1 in her Beverly Hills home has been charged with murder.

Aariel Maynor, 29, of Los Angeles is charged with one count each of murder, attempted murder and felon with a firearm, as well as two counts of residential burglary with person present, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.

Maynor is accused of breaking into the home of the 81-year-old philanthropist and wife of legendary music executive Clarence Avant, where he fatally shot her, according to authorities. Maynor also is charged with shooting at a security guard at the location. The security guard was not injured.

In a statement announcing the charges, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said, “Mrs. Avant was a treasured member of our community. Her generosity and good will touched so many lives. My office is working closely with the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills police departments in the investigation and prosecution of this case. We must continue to work together to hold accountable the people who commit violent crimes against our community.”

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You can now individually follow the members of BTS

You can now individually follow the members of BTS
You can now individually follow the members of BTS
ABC

BTS fans have long wondered why its members never had their separate media accounts, but that finally changed after the septet announced an “extended period of rest.”  

J-HopeJiminJinJungkookRMSuga and V now have their very own social media accounts on Instagram, which you can follow.  Everyone amassed over 18 million follows since launching their accounts on Monday, but V currently has the most, with 20.5 million as of early Tuesday afternoon.

If you’re what the guys are posting about, the BTS boys are sharing glimpses of what they do in their spare time — such as RM posting a candid snap of Suga creeping up on a sleeping cat to take its photo.  They have also shared some behind the scenes looks of their recent performances. 

Comments are currently limited on all their accounts so only those they follow can react to their posts, which — surprise — are only the other members of BTS.  

BTS’ management company, Big Hit Music, previously announced that the band will be taking a break “after they complete their official scheduled events.”  The company stressed BTS is not breaking up, but that a hiatus was needed to give the group “a chance to get re-inspired and recharge with creative energy. It will also be the first time for them since their debut to spend the holiday season with their families.”

 

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Watch members of Foo Fighters, RHCP, Tool & QotSA play together for school fundraiser

Watch members of Foo Fighters, RHCP, Tool & QotSA play together for school fundraiser
Watch members of Foo Fighters, RHCP, Tool & QotSA play together for school fundraiser
Taylor Hawkins & Chad Smith in 2016; Steve Jennings/WireImage

A charity fundraiser turned into a veritable Lollpalooza in Malibu, California, over the weekend.

Rockers including Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tool‘s Danny Carey, and Queens of the Stone Age‘s Josh Homme and Troy Van Leeuwen all jammed together during the event, which raised money for the Malibu Elementary School arts program.

The all-star band also included Jane’s Addiction bassist Chris Chaney, and Ozzy Osbourne producer Andrew Watt on guitar. You can check out footage from the concert via an attendee’s Instagram.

While you probably didn’t get the attend the show, you can still listen to Hawkins and Chaney play together in the band NHC with the bassist’s Jane’s band mate, Dave Navarro. Chaney is also part of Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder‘s solo band The Earthlings, alongside Smith and Watt.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Shaun Conrad (@shaunrconrad)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Shaun Conrad (@shaunrconrad)

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