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Anna Faris fans drag Chris Pratt over praising his “healthy” daughter

November 5, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Chris Pratt found himself in hot water yesterday by not only angering fans of his ex-wife Anna Faris, but also took some heat from his own followers for calling his baby daughter “healthy.”

The Jurassic World star recently took to Instagram to mark wife Katherine Schwarzenegger‘s birthday ahead of schedule, but some took issue with one of his compliments when speaking about their daughter, one-year-old Lyla.

Some believe Pratt’s remark, “She’s given me an amazing life, a gorgeous healthy daughter,” is a veiled dig at his ex, whom he divorced in 2018.

He and Faris share a nine-year-old son, Jack, who was born premature and suffers from several medical issues.

Some of his fans admitted the remark made them “wince,” but felt that was not the actor’s intention. Meanwhile, others said the word seems deliberate considering his son’s traumatic birth.

Faris previously opened up about Jack’s medical issues and his premature birth in her Anna Faris Is Unqualified podcast, and said in 2018, “Jack had a few surgeries — he had a few hernia surgeries, he’s had a few eye surgeries and he had a little heart issue as well,” according to E! News.

The Scary Movie star revealed Jack was born “two months early” and weighed three pounds and 12 ounces. She said the experience inspired her and Pratt to become supporters of the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth (GAPPS).

Faris nor Pratt have responded to the controversy and the Guardians of the Galaxy star has yet to change the language in his controversial post.

Silk Sonic delivers smooth new single, “Smokin Out the Window”

November 5, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Silk Sonic — the duo of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak — are back with the third single from their upcoming debut album.

As with their previous singles “Leave the Door Open” and “Skate,” “Smokin Out the Window” nods to the classic sounds of ’70s soul, and a retro video features Bruno, Anderson and their backup singers performing choreography on the stage set of a non-existent TV show.

The comical song about heartbreak finds the guys singing about a woman who has them “paying her rent, paying for trips, diamonds on her neck, diamonds on her wrist,” only to find that she’s cheating.

They sing, “I thought that girl belonged to only me/But I was wrong/’Cause she belong to everybody.”

Silk Sonic’s debut album An Evening with Silk Sonic is out November 12.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

Coldplay release live EP; concert film to stream on Amazon Prime Video next week

November 5, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Last month, Coldplay christened Seattle’s new Climate Pledge Arena with a special concert, but if you couldn’t make it, a live EP captured at the show is available today.

Live From Climate Pledge Arena includes four songs: “Fix You,” “Viva La Vida” and two songs from their new album Music of the Spheres — “People of the Pride” and “Human Heart,” with We Are KING. The EP is available exclusively at Amazon Music.

The original concert was streamed live via Amazon Music, Prime Video and Twitch, but it’ll also be released to Prime Video on November 12 if you didn’t happen to catch it then.

In other Coldplay news, there’s yet another remix of the band’s current single with BTS, “My Universe,” this time by Swedish duo Galantis.

Will Smith opens up about hitting rock bottom and “basically lost everything” in the late ’80s

November 5, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Will Smith is ready to talk about one of the darkest periods in his life, which he says happened before striking gold with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Entertainment Tonight obtained an advanced clip of the actor’s interview with Oprah Winfrey as part of her The Oprah Conversation series on Apple TV+.

Smith elaborates on what he wrote in his upcoming memoir, Will, where he speaks about the time in his life where he “basically lost everything.”

The King Richard star revealed that the government seized his assets, including his money, home and cars. Later, he was arrested and put in jail.

“When it rains, it pours,” remarked Smith. “So getting into the fight at the radio station, Charlie [Mack] punching the dude that landed me in jail, so the money is gone, the car is gone. I am laying on the floor in a jail cell and I am like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me!'”

The 53-year-old said, eight months prior to hitting rock bottom, he had won a Grammy for his 1988 single “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” which added to the sting.

“It’s just the spiral when it starts going the other way. It’s like, sometimes you just have to get out the way and wait until the downward spiral stops,” he said.

Smith eventually turned his life around following the success of the Fresh Prince sitcom, which ran for six seasons on NBC and helped revitalize his career as a recording artist and an actor.

The complete interview premieres Friday, November 5, on Apple TV+.

“Pink goes good with green”: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande to star in ’Wicked’ movie musical

November 5, 2021 by WDNY Radio

The beloved Broadway musical Wicked is finally heading to Hollywood and, on Thursday, Universal announced the two leading ladies who’ll bring Elphaba and Glinda to life on the big screen.

Taking on the mantle — or long black cape — of Elphaba, aka the Wicked Witch of the West, will be Tony award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo. Starring opposite of her will be Ariana Grande, donning Glinda’s signature pink sparkly dresses.

The two shared their excitement on social media by shouting each other out and raving over how excited they are to be starring in the beloved movie musical. Erivo shared the gorgeous bouquet Ari sent to her, which contained the note “Dear Cynthia, honored doesn’t even begin to cover it. I cannot wait to hug you. See you in Oz!”

Also in the picture slideshow, the Harriet star shared screenshots of the two learning they nabbed the roles and celebrating over a Zoom call. She captioned it, “Pink goes good with Green” followed by three green heart emojis.

As for the “Positions” singer, Ari shared an emotional photo taken the moment she learned she landed the role of her dreams. She also included a snap of the bouquet of pink roses Erivo sent her, along with the sweet note, “Congratulations Miss A, the part was made for you. I look forward to sharing this musical journey with you.”

Fans of Grande know that she had long dreamed of playing Glinda, the role her mentor, Kristin Chenoweth, originated on Broadway. She tweeted nearly a decade ago, in December 2011, “Loved seeing Wicked again… amazing production! Made me realize again how badly I want 2 play Glinda at some point in my life!”

Wicked, originally starring Chenoweth and Idina Menzel as Elphaba, made its Broadway debut in 2003.

Employers add 531,000 jobs last month as recovery gains steam, unemployment rate falls to 4.6%

November 5, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Hiring gained steam in October, with U.S. employers adding 531,000 jobs and the unemployment rate edging down by a fraction of a percentage point to 4.6%, the Department of Labor said Friday.

Job growth was widespread and beat economists’ expectations — with major gains in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, manufacturing, and in the transportation and warehousing sectors — the DOL said, indicative of the the post-pandemic recovery rebounding in the labor market after months of disappointing hiring figures. In September, employers added some 312,000 jobs, according to revised figures released Friday.

Employment has increased by 18.2 million since the recent low seen in April 2020, when the pandemic raged, but remains down by some 4.2 million, or 2.8%, from its pre-pandemic levels. The unemployment rate in February 2020 was at a historic low of 3.5%.

Notable job growth was seen in the hard-hit leisure and hospitality industry last month, which saw some 164,000 jobs added. Employment in this sector is still down by 8.2%, however, compared to February 2020 levels.

Other notable job gains occurred in professional and business services, which added 100,000 jobs in October, including a gain of 41,000 in temporary help services, the DOL said. Manufacturing added 60,000 jobs last month, and the transportation and warehousing sector saw employment increase by 54,000 jobs.

Moreover, the average hourly earnings for all employees last month increased by 11 cents to $30.96. A shortage of workers accepting low-wage jobs in the wake of the pandemic shock has been linked to the rising wages seen in recent months, as many major companies have struggled to hire back staff let go in the early days of the pandemic.

Disparities still lurk in the recovery. The unemployment rate for Black workers last month was nearly double that of white workers at 7.9% compared to 4%. The unemployment rate for Hispanic workers was 5.9% in October, and 4.2% for Asian workers.

Finally, the DOL data indicates some companies are recalling workers back to the office after the vaccine rollout. The DOL said that some 11.6% of employed persons teleworked because of the pandemic last month, down from 13.2% the month prior.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Report: Chris Evans to be named ‘People”s next Sexiest Man Alive

November 5, 2021 by WDNY Radio

The time has come once again for People magazine to crown its new “Sexiest Man Alive.” While an official announcement is forthcoming, an alleged leak claims that the publication has already decided who will succeed their current champion, Michael B. Jordan.

Page Six claims that Marvel star Chris Evans is the next Sexiest Man Alive and said they’ve heard the news from “multiple sources.”

Those same sources claim that the 40-year-old actor was supposed to take home the title last year, but the timing wasn’t that great considering his September 2020 faux pas concerning scantily clad photos Evans accidentally shared to his Instagram — which resulted in a media frenzy and proved just how fast fans can take a screenshot.

But, according to insiders, the incident did not influence People‘s decision to ultimately hand the crown to Jordan.

The official “Sexiest Man Alive” announcement is expected next week.

Guy Fieri accepts Kristen Stewart’s proposal to officiate her wedding

November 5, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Kristen Stewart is in the beginning stages of planning her wedding to fiancée Dylan Meyer, but the Spencer actress already knows who she wants to officiate her big day. Here’s a hint: He has bleached spiky hair and drives his 1968 Chevy Camaro to Flavortown.

Stewart was asked about her dream wedding during her Thursday appearance on Today, where the hosts pounced upon a comment she made in passing about wanting Guy Fieri to officiate… because the Food Network star himself is intrigued by the possibility.

“I heard through the Flavortown grapevine that you are looking for a sweet spiky-haired officiant for your wedding,” Fieri said in a pre-recorded message to the Twilight star. “I’m all in!”

Stewart was struck speechless by the unexpected surprise and, with a wide grin, confirmed she “absolutely” wants him to be there on her big day. Although, she admittedly was unsure if he was being serious.

The 31-year-old actress hinted she wants to send him a wedding invite and asked aloud, “Do you know where he lives? What’s his address?… We should talk about this!”

As for Fieri, he tweeted at the actress and affirmed, “Oh that offer is legit!”

The Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives host is an outspoken gay rights advocate. In 2015, he famously married 101 same-sex couples in a single day and threw the attendees a massive wedding feast, free of charge, after Florida lifted its ban on gay marriage.

‘Dickinson’ producer and star Hailee Steinfeld says final season of series is the “best one yet”

November 5, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Hailee Steinfeld is back as America’s rebel poet Emily Dickinson in the third and final season of the Peabody Award-winning Dickinson, which kicks off on Apple TV+ today.

Steinfeld is an executive producer on the series, which takes liberties with the author’s real life, imagining her in a new way for modern sensibilities, and often set to modern music.

Season 3 takes place with the Civil War raging, and Emily trying to find her voice in a forever-changed world.

“It’s been amazing just to see each season come full circle,” Hailee says. “And as an executive producer of the show as well, I feel like I’ve been more involved in really knowing what it takes and knowing what it’s like being a part of seeing it through.”

Looking back, she adds, “I am so proud of this show, and I’m so proud, and I feel very lucky to have been a part of something that feels very special.”

Steinfeld says all involved knew this season would be the last one, so they left it all on the field.

“We have only ever showed up every day at work wanting to deliver the best possible product,” she notes. “And I think when we knew that this was going to be it, we all came in ready to go!…I have felt this way about the show since day one, [and about] every single person in our cast and on our crew who have continued to come back for three seasons. I am so grateful for that.”

Reflecting on the series coming to an end, Steinfeld says, “I am sad, of course…but I’m so excited for this final season to be out. I think it’s our best one yet.”

Summer Walker is ’Still Over It’ with release of sophomore album

November 5, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Summer Walker‘s highly anticipated second album has arrived and, like the title, she’s Still Over It.

Walker dropped the studio effort at the stroke of midnight on Friday, a year her debut album, 2019’s Over It. The 20-track album features collaborations with some of the hottest names in R&B and hip-hop including Cardi B, City Girls member JT, SZA, Ari Lennox, Lil Durk, Pharrell Williams, Omarion, and Ciara.

Still Over It comes after Walker welcomed her first child, a baby girl, with her on-again, off-again producer boyfriend London on da Track. The project has an overarching theme of the ups and downs of relationships, dealing with a partner’s ex, and also seems to serve as advice to her fans.

“Take this opportunity to learn from my mistakes,” The “Ex For A Reason” singer told Apple Music of her sophomore album. “You don’t have to guess if something is love. Love is shown through actions. Stop making excuses for people who don’t show up for you.”

Walker added, “Don’t ignore the red flags. And don’t think you have to stay somewhere ’cause you can’t find better—you can and you will. Don’t settle for less—you don’t deserve it and neither does your family.”

Prior to the album release, the R&B crooner shared the tracklist which listed dates alongside each of the songs, beginning with August 4, 2019 and ending on October 7, 2021, seemingly letting fans know what song reflected what she was going through at that point in time.

Walker kept the caption simple, reminding fans of the release date and adding, “TAG YOUR BEST FRIEND N REMIND THEM.”

Still Over It is available to stream now.

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