Yes, the holidays are a magical time, but one guy is about to show you that with a Thanksgiving special that incorporates some actual magic.
Magician Adam Trent, aka The Futurist, has appeared on America’s Got Talent and on his own show The Road Trick on Netflix. Now he’s using his talents to make everyday people’s dreams come true, courtesy of The Magic Maker, airing Thursday night on ABC.
On the show, Trent will use magic to do things like have a soldier “magically” reappear to his family after serving overseas, and help a guy “walk on water” for a special marriage proposal. He also helps surprise attendees at a firefighter’s retirement party and helps a pediatrician delight and mystify his young patients.
Trent says he’ll go undercover and use his skills to “create the biggest and most emotional moments” of these folks’ lives.
Could Jared Leto‘s role in House of Gucci lead to a Thirty Seconds to Mars collaboration with Lady Gaga?
Speaking with NME, Leto says it “would be fun” to work on a song with the “Bad Romance” superstar.
“I danced with her already so that was enough for me,” Leto says. “But that would be fun. She’s a terrific artist and I think she’s just a real talent. I have a lot of respect for her…her bravery.”
Leto also shares that the House of Gucci soundtrack, which features a number of hits from the ’70s and ’80s, has influenced the next, currently-in-the-works Mars album, the follow-up to 2018’s AMERICA.
“There are a lot of those sounds that definitely are on the new album,” Leto says. “My first instrument was a Roland Juno 106, which is a synthesizer from the ’80s. I really cherished that instrument, and those sounds are so nostalgic.”
He adds, “Those sounds are kinda embedded in our psyche, and they really speak directly to our heart sometimes. They take us back to the films that we grew up on. So I love to pull from that stuff.”
House of Gucci, which details the assassination of real-life fashion mogul Maurizio Gucci, is out today. Leto plays Paulo Gucci, cousin of Maurizio, who is portrayed by Adam Driver. Gaga stars as Maurizio’s ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani, who was convicted of arranging his killing.
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for The Whiteley
Jessie J has announced that she suffered a miscarriage. The “Domino” singer, who had been keeping her pregnancy a secret from fans, shared the sad news on Instagram today.
“Yesterday morning I was laughing with a friend saying ‘seriously though how am I going to get through my gig in LA tomorrow night without telling the whole audience I am pregnant,'” Jessie wrote, and shared a photo of her flashing a positive Clearblue pregnancy test. “By yesterday afternoon I was dreading the thought of getting through the gig without breaking down…After going for my 3rd scan and being told there was no longer a heartbeat.”
The British singer vowed to go through with her acoustic performance in Los Angeles “because I know singing tonight will help me.” She added, “My soul needs it. Even more today.”
As for revealing what happened, she explained, “I want to be honest and true and not hide what I’m feeling..I want to be as myself as I can be in this moment. Not just for the audience but for myself and my little baby that did [its] best.”
If you’re wondering who the father is, Jessie also explained that she’d decided to “have a baby on my own. Because it’s all I’ve ever wanted and life is short.”
While she’s currently “in shock,” Jessie assured fans, “I know I am strong, and I know I will be ok.” She noted that she now feels “connected” to the “millions of women” who’ve “felt this pain,” noting, “it’s the loneliest feeling in the world.”
Fans immediately reached out, leading Jessie to post on Wednesday afternoon, “Your overwhelming instant outpour of love is felt, received and appreciated beyond measure. And has got me out of bed this morning. Thank you.”
AJR has premiered a new video for “The Good Part,” a song off the band’s 2017 album, The Click.
As for why a four-year-old track is now getting a visual of its own, AJR wanted to celebrate its newfound viral status on Instagram.
“This song has had such a weird new life 4 years after we put it out,” AJR says. “It’s now the number 1 song on all of Instagram so we wanted to make a sweet little video for it.”
You can watch “The Good Part” clip, which features home video footage of the brother trio as kids, streaming now on YouTube.
AJR released their latest album, OK ORCHESTRA, this past March. It includes the singles “Bang!” and “Way Less Sad.”
Meghan Trainor is counting down the days until her original holiday single “My Kind of Present” gets an ultra-festive music video makeover. The singer teased the upcoming treat, promising that fans will be able to indulge in some extra-spirited Christmas cheer when the video premieres on Friday.
“GET READY FOR THE [‘My Kind of Present’] MUSIC VIDEO,” Meghan rejoiced in an Instagram post on Wednesday, and also introduced the song’s official artwork, which depicts her and husband Daryl Sabara embracing in a flurry of snowflakes. She also revealed that a very special little baby will be making his big debut in the clip.
“Introducing the adorable Riley Trainor,” the Grammy winner proudly announced. She and Daryl welcomed their firstborn nine months ago. While he makes regular appearances on social media, this will mark the first time Riley will play a major role in his mom’s work.
Meghan also revealed that choreographer Charm La’Donna will be jumping behind the camera to direct the cozy music video. Charm previously worked with Meghan on “All About That Bass” and “Let You Be Right.”
Charm also worked with artists Dua Lipa and Ava Max, directing the latter’s “My Head & My Heart” music video. In addition, she choreographed The Weeknd‘s Super Bowl Halftime show.
“My Kind of Present” is featured on Meghan’s 2020 holiday album A Very Trainor Christmas, which features the voices of Meghan’s dad, Gary Trainor, and cousins Jayden, Jenna and Marcus.
Just a reminder that Foreigner and Matchbox Twenty‘s Rob Thomas are among the music stars that will be performing at the 95th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which airs live Thursday on NBC from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET.
The veteran rockers will be featured on “The House of Marvelous Milestones” float sponsored by New York Life. According to a post on their Facebook page, the band will perform at 10:27 a.m. ET.
As for Thomas, he’ll appear on the Hallmark Channel’s “Heartwarming Holiday Countdown” float, and will sing a tune from his new holiday album, Something About Christmas Time.
Neither Foreigner nor Thomas have ever performed before at the Macy’s parade. Rob tells ABC Audio that he and his wife are equally thrilled that he’ll be part of the historic New York City holiday event.
“I’m stoked…my wife, growing up in Queens, [New York], that’s been her entire life,” Rob says. “Christmas starts when Santa Claus goes past Macy’s, then, from that moment on for her, it’s the holidays.”
He adds, “I’m excited about doing it and I’m excited about doing it on the Hallmark float. That’s huge! That’s serious Christmas, right there. I am knee-deep in Christmas at that point!”
As for the connection between the Hallmark Channel and Rob, one of the songs on his album — an updated version of his 2003 tune “A New York Christmas” — appears in the new Hallmark holiday film A Royal Queens Christmas.
Other musical artists scheduled to appear or perform during the parade include Nelly, R&B singer Kelly Rowland, pop singer-songwriter Andy Grammer, Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth, and country stars Carrie Underwood, Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton and Chris Lane.
Bat-fans are going to have to wait until next year to see it, but until then, they can take some comfort in Zoë Kravitz‘s new comments about The Batman.
Kravitz plays Selena Kyle/Catwoman in the new film, and while she wasn’t giving Variety any spoilers, she tells the trade she’s “seen a little” of director Matt Reeves’ movie.
“Rob is perfect for this role,” she says of co-star Robert Pattinson, who plays the Dark Knight and his alter-ego, Bruce Wayne. “He was incredible. His transformation was out of this world,” the actress enthuses.
Kravitz also commented, “[Director] Matt Reeves has a lot of heart, and he cares so much for these characters. I’m just very excited for him to be able to go on vacation because he deserves it.”
Zoë adds, “I hope the fans love it because we put a lot of work into this.”
Also starring Jeffrey Wright, Colin Farrell, Andy Serkis and Paul Dano, The Batman swings into theaters March 4, 2022.
(WAUKESHA, Wis.) — Six people were killed and dozens were hurt when an SUV driver barreled into a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Sunday afternoon, authorities said.
The suspect, 39-year-old Darrell Brooks, is in custody, authorities said.
Latest headlines:
-8-year-old boy identified as 6th fatality
-13 children remain hospitalized, officials say
-Judge sets bail at $5 million
-‘No emotion’ on face of suspect who drove into parade: Complaint
Here’s how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Nov 24, 4:02 am
8-year-old boy identified as 6th fatality
A young boy has been identified as the child who was among those killed after a car plowed into a Christmas parade in Waukesha on Sunday.
Jackson Sparks, 8, and his 12-year-old brother were both hospitalized in intensive care after being “seriously injured” at the parade, according to a statement released Tuesday by a local church on behalf of their parents.
Jackson, described as a “sweet little boy,” died from his injuries on Tuesday afternoon. His brother “is miraculously recovering from his injuries and will be being discharged home,” according to the statement.
Jackson’s death marks the sixth fatality from the incident.
Nov 23, 7:00 pm
13 children remain hospitalized, officials say
Of the 16 children who were admitted to the hospital following the parade, 13 remain hospitalized, according to the Children’s Wisconsin-Milwaukee Hospital.
Six were listed in critical condition, three in fair condition and four in good condition, according to the hospital.
One child died from his or her injuries on Tuesday, while two others were discharged, hospital officials said in a statement.
The family of the child who died has asked for privacy.
ABC News’ Joshua Hoyos and Victor Ordonez
Nov 23, 7:02 pm
Judge sets bail at $5 million
Darrell Brooks appeared in court for the first time Tuesday afternoon, where he sobbed as a Waukesha County prosecutor announced a sixth victim — a child — had died from injuries sustained when Brooks allegedly drove through the Christmas parade.
The prosecutor said she intends to add a sixth charge, and likely will add more if additional victims succumb to their injuries.
Brooks’ bail was set at $5 million, an amount the judge described as “extraordinarily high” as it is not possible to hold a defendant without bail in the state of Wisconsin.
“The nature of this offense is shocking,” the judge said. “Two detectives not only tried to stop this but rendered an opinion that this was an intentional act.”
Prosecutors also expressed concerns about Brooks’ flight history and ability to obey the obligations of the court, given his lengthy criminal record in multiple states.
“There are not words to describe the risk this defendant presents to our community,” the prosecutor said.
Brooks did not enter a plea. Brooks’ attorney indicated he had no means to pay for bail.
ABC News’ Aaron Katersky
Nov 23, 5:29 pm
‘No emotion’ on face of suspect who drove into parade: Complaint
Darrell Brooks, the man accused of killing six and injuring 62 when his SUV plowed into a Christmas parade on Sunday, appeared to have “no emotion on his face” while doing so, according to a criminal complaint.
At one point an officer “pounded on the [suspect’s] driver’s side door yelling ‘stop,’” the criminal complaint said.
But instead, according to the complaint, Brooks kept going, and later he “appeared to rapidly accelerate” and “took an abrupt left turn into the crowd of parade participants.”
The SUV “appeared to be intentionally moving side to side, striking multiple people, and bodies and objects were flying,” the complaint said.
One witness told police the suspect drove “in a zigzag motion,” the complaint said. “It was like the SUV was trying to avoid vehicles, not people. There was no attempt made by the vehicle to stop, much less slow down.”
Another witness told police it appeared to be “a direct intent to hit as many parade participants,” the complaint said.
If you’ve browsed the rosé section of your local liquor store lately, chances are you passed by a bottle of Post Malone‘s wine, Maison No. 9. If you need a visual, the wine comes in a sleek bottle with white lettering and a glass stopper. Now, to help wine lovers get excited for the holidays, the “Circles” singer has dropped a brand new collection of merchandise that celebrates his pink drink.
The capsule collection includes shirts, hats, sweaters, scarves and more. One of the more unique additions is a pair of white tube socks that bears the brand’s logo and has a description of the wine printed on the side.
Posty also has something for those wine drinkers who love spoiling their dogs: a $20 pink, plush, dog-toy version of the wine bottle.
The exclusive new merch is available to purchase now on the Maison No. 9 website.
(ATLANTA) — A Georgia jury has convicted three white men of murder in the death of Ahmaud Arbery.
Travis McMichael, who fatally shot Arbery in February 2020, was convicted on all nine charges, including malice murder and four counts of felony murder.
McMichael’s father, Gregory McMichael, 65, was found not guilty of malice murder but was convicted on the remaining charges, including the felony murder counts.
The McMichael’s neighbor, William “Roddie” Bryan, 53, was found guilty of three of the felony murder counts as well as charges of aggravated assault with his pickup truck, false imprisonment and criminal intent to commit a felony.
The jury verdicts were read in court by the presiding judge in the case, Timothy Walmsley.
Arbery’s father, Marcus Arbery, who was in the courtroom shouted out “long time coming” as the verdicts were read. The outburst prompted Walmsley to halt the proceedings briefly and ordered Marcus Arbery to leave the court.
Outside the courthouse, a huge collective cheer went up from a large crowd of protesters.
As the verdicts were read in court, none of the defendants showed any emotions.
The panel sent Walmsley a note around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday saying they had reached a verdict after deliberating about 11 hours over two days.
The panel began deliberating the nationally televised trial on Tuesday after hearing 13 days of evidence and listening to numerous witnesses, including the testimony of defendant Travis McMichael, 35, who claimed he shot the unarmed Arbery with a shotgun in self-defense during a face-to-face fight over his weapon.
The McMichaels and Bryan had all pleaded not guilty to a nine-count state indictment. The charges include malice murder, multiple charges of felony murder, false imprisonment, aggravated assault with a 12-gauge shotgun and aggravated assault with their pickup trucks.
The defendants all face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
During the trial held in Brunswick, Georgia, the jury of 11 white people and one Black person heard wildly different theories based on the same evidence in the racially charged case. Prosecutors alleged the defendants pursued and murdered Arbery because of wrong “assumptions and driveway decisions” they made that the Black man running through their neighborhood had committed a burglary, while defense attorneys countered that Arbery was shot in self-defense when he resisted a citizen’s arrest.
The shooting unfolded on Feb. 23, 2020, in the Satilla Shores neighborhood near Brunswick after Arbery, who prosecutors claim was just out for a Sunday jog, was spotted by a community resident inside a home that was under construction and where Arbery had been previously captured on security video looking around but never taking anything, according to the evidence.
The chase of Arbery started when Gregory McMichael, a retired Glynn County police officer, spotted Arbery running past his home. Prosecutors said Gregory McMichael rushed into his residence to fetch his gun and his son, Travis, who armed himself with a Remington pump-action shotgun before they got into a truck and chased after the Black man.
Bryan, who lived near the McMichaels, joined the chase not knowing why the McMichaels were chasing Arbery and told investigators that he used his truck to help corner Arbery just before Travis McMichael shot him.
