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‘Book of Boba Fett’ co-star Rory Ross on living out his lifelong dream of being in that galaxy far, far away

January 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Actor Rory Ross has been a Star Wars fan since he was six years old, when he spent a month in Iowa Children’s Hospital, battling a rare fungal condition. He tells ABC Audio he calls it “crazy” his life has “come full circle,” with parts in both The Book of Boba Fett, and the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series.

“That first day [in the hospital] my mom [brought me] Star Wars: A New Hope,” he explains. “It was my first introduction into Star Wars. And then as I stayed in the hospital…seeing Luke’s journey, it gave me the hope and inspiration…that I was going to be OK.”

He adds, “And…even at such a young age, I was sort of like, ‘I don’t know what to do with my life, but whatever it is, I want to bring hope and inspiration to people just like Luke did for me.'”

In The Book of Boba Fett, Ross played one of the desert planet Tatooine’s Tusken Raiders, who save Temuera Morrison‘s Fett, and allow him to join their tribe. It showed a different side of the Sand People — after all, in the movies, they mug Luke Skywalker in A New Hope, and murder Anakin’s mother in Attack of the Clones.

“When we saw The Tuskens in A New Hope, we just unfortunately saw them as kind of beasts, we thought like, you know, that’s all they are,” Ross says.

“But with The Book of Boba Fett, it really does humanize Tuskens. It really…shows their society, their culture and how, just like with humans, each tribe or each person, even from that tribe, can be very different.”

Unfortunately, the tribe that rescued Boba meets a grisly end in the third episode, setting the former bounty hunter on a mission of revenge. However, before he does, he mourns his new family.

“That was sad,” Ross says of seeing the aftermath of his tribe’s slaughter at the hands of a speeder bike gang. “I wish they would have let that draw out a little bit more in terms of the emotional connection there. But man, yeah, seeing Boba crying, it’s a heartfelt moment.”

He adds, “It was really cool to be able to live that.”

A new episode of The Book of Boba Fett dropped today on Disney+.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Maren Morris re-lives a favorite Dolly Parton memory on the country legend’s 76th birthday

January 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Maren Morris is wishing a happy birthday to Dolly Parton with a special memory the two country artists shared together.

The singer posted a video to her social media on Wednesday, showing a behind-the-scenes moment that happened backstage at the 2019 Newport Folk Festival. That day, Dolly took the stage with Maren and the rest of her band, The Highwomen, which also includes Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby.

The video shows the group of women backstage, singing Dolly’s 1991 single, “Eagle When She Flies.” In one particularly sweet moment, Dolly pulls Maren into the circle, inviting her to sing with the rest of the performers.

“Happy birthday [Dolly Parton],” Maren writes. “Thank you for forever pulling me into your unbroken circle.”

Other stars also lined up to post good wishes to Dolly on her birthday, including Tim McGraw and Alan Jackson.

Lady Gaga says in deleted scene, her and Salma Hayek’s ‘House of Gucci’ characters “developed a sexual relationship”

January 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Last year, Ridley Scott, the director of Lady Gaga’s latest film House of Gucci, told the ReelBlend podcast that he wanted to release a director’s cut of the movie. Now Gaga is hinting that the director’s cut may include scenes that show her character, Patrizia, and Salma Hayek‘s character, Pina, being, well…more than friends.

PopCrave has posted a clip from a panel on the film hosted by MGM Studios, in which Gaga says, “There’s a whole side of this film that you did not see where Pina and I developed a sexual relationship.”

As the audience laughs, Gaga teases, “Director’s cut, who knows? But this is a testament to [Ridley Scott] as a director because he let us go there.”

In the film Gaga plays Patrizia Reggiani, who hires a hit man to kill her ex-husband, Maurizio Gucci, with the help of her friend and spiritual advisor, Pina Auriemma.

“I remember being on set with Salma and going, ’So, after Maurizio dies, maybe it gets…hot?’” Gaga continues.

“You think she’s kidding!” Salma cracks.

If Scott does end up releasing a director’s cut, though, it’s not guaranteed that this so-called scene will be included. Meanwhile, Gaga and the film continue to rack up award nominations; next month, she’ll find out if she’s been nominated for a second Best Actress Oscar.

Cardi B pays for burial of victims of fatal New York City fire

January 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Cardi B grew up in the Bronx in New York City, and she’s giving back to her community following a deadly fire on January 9 that left 17 dead and dozens homeless.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Wednesday that the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City has partnered with the Grammy winner to cover the burial expenses for each victim of the tragic Bronx fire.

“I’m extremely proud to be from the Bronx and I have lots of family and friends who live and work there still. So, when I heard about the fire and all of the victims, I knew I needed to do something to help,” the “I Like It” rapper said in a statement.

“I cannot begin to imagine the pain and anguish that the families of the victims are experiencing, but I hope that not having to worry about the costs associated with burying their loved ones will help as they move forward and heal. I send my prayers and condolences to everyone affected by this horrific tragedy,” she continued.

Mayor Adams thanked Cardi for her support following the horrific tragedy.

“We are grateful for Cardi B, a real superstar on and off the mic, for granting some critical financial relief to families of the victims,” Adams commented. “The city will be forever thankful to her and also to the grassroots donors and corporate partners who have been able to offer immediate support for our neighbors in need, to reestablish themselves during this difficult time.”

The Bronx Fire Relief Fund has raised more than $2.5 million. Donations can be made online on the fund’s website.

Last week, Fat Joe also partnered with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and hosted a Bronx Relief Special on Instagram Live.

Watch video of George Martin explaining to his granddaughter why he decided to work with The Beatles

January 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Giles Martin, son of late Beatles producer George Martin, has shared a touching archival family video that shows his dad telling Giles’ young daughter the story of how he wound up working with the Fab Four.

The clip, which Giles posted on his Twitter feed, shows his elderly father — who died in 2016 at age 90 — sitting on a couch next to the young girl, who appears to be about six years old.

George starts by telling his granddaughter that when he was first told about the band, he thought their name was silly, but it was then explained to him that it wasn’t Beetles, but Beatles with an “a.”

George then explains that he felt he needed to hear the group before deciding to work with them, so they came down from Liverpool to London to meet him.

“And when I listened to what they did, it was OK, but it wasn’t brilliant. It was OK,” George continues. “So I thought, well, ‘Why should I be interested in this?'”

He then notes, “But the magic bit came when I started to get to know them, because they were terribly good people to know. They were funny, they were very clever, they said all lovely things. And they were the kind of people that you like to be with.”

George concludes by saying, “So I thought, ‘Well if I feel this way about them, other people will feel this way about them. So therefore they should be very popular.’ And I made records with them.”

In a note that accompanies the video, Giles — who has overseen and produced many recent Beatles-related projects — writes, “Ordinary people do extraordinary things. Great decisions are made for the simplest reasons.”

Merchandise for BTS’ Jimin sells out in seconds

January 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

BTS‘ Jimin is a merchandise-selling machine after fans bought out his new purple hoodie in a matter of seconds — causing the online store to crash.

Korea JoongAng Daily, which is associated with The New York Times, reports that the Korean singer teamed with the company HYBE to launch the Artist-Made Collection by BTS. While each member of the BTS septet contributed, only a few put forth some of his own designs — Jimin, Jin, RM, Suga and V.

Jimin created a hoodie that contained several sentences, which include “You never walk alone,” “Seven with you” and the number 13, which honors his October 13th birthday. He then promoted his hoodie prior to its launch by wearing it in videos.

Then, when it — along with some earrings — went live at around 11 a.m. Korean time on Tuesday on the Weverse Shop, the HYBE servers crashed almost instantly due to the sheer number of fans accessing the site at once. The outlet notes that it wasn’t just people from Korea trying to get their hands on the collection — it was fans from across the globe.

It should also be noted that no other BTS member enjoyed such a stampede — even V who released his “Virkin” last week. While his collection sold out in seconds, his fans did not knock the website offline.

HYBE said it is now “positively considering” a re-release of the hoodie because of the public outcry and announced, “The decision will be announced soon at Weverse Shop.”

Drake joins Super Bowl weekend entertainment lineup in LA

January 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Another superstar has been added to the Super Bowl weekend entertainment lineup in Los Angeles.

The h.wood Group announced Wednesday that Drake will headline the “Homecoming” party on Saturday, February 12, one day before the Super Bowl is played at Sofi Stadium. The four-time Grammy winner will perform at the event at the Pacific Design Center.

The Champagne Papi will hit the stage one night after his mentor, Lil Wayne, who signed him to the Young Money Entertainment label in 2009, headlines Shaquille O’Neal‘s “Shaq’s Fun House” party on Friday, February 11 at the Shrine Auditorium.

The shows by Drake and Lil Wayne will lead up to the main event, Super Bowl 56 on Sunday, February 13 featuring Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige performing for the first time together during halftime

Wolf Alice opening for Harry Styles on European tour

January 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Wolf Alice will be opening for Harry Styles during the One Direction star’s upcoming European tour.

The “Moaning Lisa Smile” outfit will be on the bill from a June 26 date in Germany to a July 31 stop in Portugal. Tickets go on sale next Friday, January 28.

For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit WolfAlice.co.uk.

Other openers on Styles’ European tour include Mitski and Arlo Parks, while Koffee will support his South American run launching in November. Styles’ U.S. tour last year featured Rilo Kiley‘s Jenny Lewis on the bill.

Wolf Alice, meanwhile, released their latest album, Blue Weekend, last June. It includes the single “Smile.”

Broadway to dim its lights tonight for Sidney Poitier

January 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

At 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Broadway will dim its lights in honor of stage and screen legend Sidney Poitier.

The legendary actor and activist, who died at 94 on January 6, made his debut on the Great White Way 75 years ago in an all-Black revival of Lysistrata, and went on to earn a Best Actor Tony nomination for creating the role of Walter Lee Younger in Lorraine Hansberry‘s groundbreaking drama A Raisin in the Sun.

After becoming the first Black actor to win a Best Actor Academy Award, for 1963’s Lilies of the Field, Poitier returned to the stage as a director, with Carry Me Back to Morningside Heights.

Charlotte St. Martin, president of The Broadway League noted in the announcement, “Although Sidney Poitier’s brilliance shone on Broadway stages as a performer and director in just a small number of productions, his presence on Broadway was both titanic and influential.”

Calling him a “true icon and an inspiration to so very many,” St. Martin said, “I know that Broadway fans worldwide recognize the incredible impact Mr. Poitier had on our art form.”

Gaspard Ulliel, award-winning ‘Hannibal Rising’ and ‘Moon Knight’ star, dead in ski accident at 37

January 19, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Gaspard Ulliel, an award-winning French actor who starred in the acclaimed film A Very Long Engagement and the prequel Hannibal Rising, has died after a skiing accident, reports The Guardian.

The actor, who will appear in the upcoming Disney+ Marvel show Moon Knight was 37.

Quoting French media outlet France Bleu, the Guardian noted Ulliel collided with another skier in the Alps, but later died of head trauma after being airlifted to a hospital.

The actor was a favorite among voters for the Cesar, the French film equivalent of the Oscars, first winning a Promising Young Actor trophy for his role in 2004’s A Very Long Engagement, and later its Best Actor prize for the 2016 Xavier Dolan film It’s Only the End of the World.

Ulliel’s passing was mourned on Twitter by France’s Prime Minister Jean Castex, who said the actor, “grew up with cinema and cinema grew with him.”

Ulliel, who will appear as Midnight Man opposite Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke in Moon Knight, leaves behind a 6-year-old son Orso with his model and singer girlfriend Gaëlle Piétri.

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