Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation donates $15 million to climate justice organizations

Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation donates  million to climate justice organizations
Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation donates  million to climate justice organizations
ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Rihanna is donating $15 million to organizations working to find solutions to climate disasters in communities of color.

The nine-time Grammy winner announced Tuesday that her Clara Lionel Foundation is making donations to 18 climate justice organizations working in seven Caribbean nations and the United States. They include the Movement for Black Lives, the Climate Justice Alliance, and the Caribbean Climate Justice Project.

“Climate disasters, which are growing in frequency and intensity, do not impact all communities equally, with communities of color and island nations facing the brunt of climate change,” reads a statement from the foundation. “Funders must build partnerships with grassroots organizations, acknowledging their deep understanding of what is necessary to achieve climate justice in their own communities.”

The grants, made in partnership with Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey’s #StartSmall philanthropic initiative, are focused on groups with female, LGBT, and Black and Indigenous leaders because their communities are at the greatest risk.

In August, the foundation also donated $500,000 in emergency response funding for the earthquake in Haiti which left over 2,000 people dead, thousands injured, and hundreds missing.

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Steven Tyler announces plans for 2022 Grammy Awards Viewing Party, featuring performance by Miley Cyrus

Steven Tyler announces plans for 2022 Grammy Awards Viewing Party, featuring performance by Miley Cyrus
Steven Tyler announces plans for 2022 Grammy Awards Viewing Party, featuring performance by Miley Cyrus
Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Janie’s Fund

Steven Tyler has unveiled details of the 2022 edition of his annual Janie’s Fund Grammy Awards Viewing Party, set for April 3 at the Hollywood Palladium, which will feature a special headlining performance by Miley Cyrus.

In a press release, the Aerosmith frontman officially announced Miley as the entertainer for the fourth annual installment of gala, which benefits his Janie’s Fund charity. Tyler chose Cyrus because of her support for Janie’s Fund, which aims to help female victims of abuse and neglect.

“The support that this GRAMMY Awards Viewing Party has received is incredibly moving, and we can’t wait to continue the tradition this year,” Steven says in a statement. “Miley joined me in this important work when we launched Janie’s Fund in 2015 and is a powerful voice and advocate for women. I can’t think of another artist that better aligns with our mission…It’s going to be an incredible night.”

Aside from a special performance, the festivities will include an auction, a red carpet, a cocktail hour and more. Among those serving as event chairs are Aerosmith, Alice CooperPaula Abdul, Randy JacksonJim Carrey, Sharon Stone, John Stamos, Kelsey Grammer and Terry CrewsElton John, Lionel Richie, Andrea Bocelli, Tiffany Haddish and Bill Maher are among the honorary chairs for the event.

Tyler’s first viewing party was held in 2018 and, since then, the event has raised more than $7.6 million for Janie’s Fund.

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Ethan Hawke “all in” on ‘Moon Knight’, his first superhero project

Ethan Hawke “all in” on ‘Moon Knight’, his first superhero project
Ethan Hawke “all in” on ‘Moon Knight’, his first superhero project
ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

In an interview with Entertainment WeeklyEthan Hawke explains why he’d always been hesitant to take a role in the superhero genre, and why he decided to go “all in” with his first — Marvel Studios’ upcoming Disney+ show Moon Knight.

“The comic book world meant a lot to me when I was younger,” says the Oscar-nominated actor, who plays the cult leader-like baddie Arthur Harrow.

“I was always a little apprehensive; there’s a certain kind of actor that really excels in that universe, and I’m still not sure I’m one of them,” Hawke notes. 

However, Moon Knight himself changed his mind. “Oscar [Isaac] asked me, and I really respect him,” Hawke says. “And I knew that if he went in, he was going to go all in, and it’s fun to do any genre with people who are all in.”

Hawke says he also appreciated that Moon Knight isn’t a household name — yet. “[I]f you do Batman or Superman or Hulk…it’s like playing Hamlet. Ninety percent of people there have an opinion about how Hamlet should be played.”

However, the Training Day vet admits he had “always been nervous about” playing the heavy.

“I’ve always had this theory that when you teach an audience how to see the demon inside you, they don’t unsee it for the rest of your career,” Hawke explains. “Jack Nicholson can be playing an accountant, and you’re still waiting for him to explode like he did in The Shining.”

Having said that, the 51-year-old actor notes, “But I realized I’m on the other side of 50, and it’s time to put a new tool in the tool kit,” adding, “Villains might be my future.”

Moon Knight debuts on Disney+ on March 30.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

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Dolly Parton now has her own cake mix line, and her custom baking collections sold out in just hours

Dolly Parton now has her own cake mix line, and her custom baking collections sold out in just hours
Dolly Parton now has her own cake mix line, and her custom baking collections sold out in just hours
Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Dolly Parton fans can have their cake and eat it, too. The singer just launched a partnership with baked-goods line Duncan Hines, offering two cake mix flavors and buttercream icing to match.

The mixes, Southern Style Coconut Flavored Cake Mix and Southern Style Banana Flavored Cake Mix, will hit shelves this March. Plus, Dolly has assembled special baking collection boxes, including both flavors of cake mix, plus buttercream and chocolate buttercream icings, a custom spatula and a tea towel. Those boxes went on sale Wednesday morning, and by 10:30 a.m. ET, they had sold out.

Dolly, who also recently announced the second round of her Jeni’s Splendid custom Strawberry Pretzel Pie ice cream flavor, tells People that sweets were a rare treat in her home growing up.

“Growing up poor, we didn’t have a lot of sugar, so we didn’t have cakes all the time,” she remembers. “So when Mama made special cakes, we loved being in the kitchen.”

The singer still loves cake, but she admits that her biggest culinary weakness isn’t necessarily a dessert.

“If I’ve been on a low-carb diet or something for a while, the first thing I want to do when I break it is have some cake — or potatoes. That’s my weakness,” she admits. “Usually that’s why I fall off any diet, is for the love of some sort of a potato.”

Dolly’s also got a new book coming out. Her first novel, Run Rose Run — which she co-wrote with James Patterson — will be published in March. She’s also releasing a companion album of the same name.

 

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Liam Payne reveals COVID diagnosis, postpones show

Liam Payne reveals COVID diagnosis, postpones show
Liam Payne reveals COVID diagnosis, postpones show
Mike Marsland/WireImag

Former One Direction singer Liam Payne is recovering from COVID-19 and, in a message to fans Wednesday, he revealed that means he needs to postpone an upcoming performance.

“I’m so sorry to announce that I’m having to push back next Here’s To The Future show… Unfortunately I had COVID and will not be ready in time to give you the show you all deserve,” the singer announced via Instagram

Liam knew fans would be disappointed, so he decided to more than make it up to those who were hoping to see him perform. “We’ve decided to now do something extra special,” he teased, “and move the show back a few weeks to Saturday 12th February, just in time for Valentine’s Day!!”

The “Strip That Down” artist vowed tickets for his original date will be good for his new show and he told fans he will “see you soon.”

Liam’s Here’s To The Future virtual showcase is meant to highlight new and emerging acts that have his seal of approval.  The upcoming date will feature artists Madilyn BaileyJust StefLyn Lapid and iamnotshane.  Tickets for the 3 p.m. EST show are on sale now for $15 on his website.

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Mudvayne’s Chad Gray had COVID symptoms during comeback show: “It…wiped me out”

Mudvayne’s Chad Gray had COVID symptoms during comeback show: “It…wiped me out”
Mudvayne’s Chad Gray had COVID symptoms during comeback show: “It…wiped me out”
Sergione Infuso/Corbis via Getty Images

Mudvayne‘s Chad Gray has revealed that he was experiencing COVID-19 symptoms during the band’s first comeback show at the Inkcarceration festival last September.

In an interview with Danny Wimmer Presents, Gray shares that he didn’t know he had COVID during the festival, only that he “couldn’t figure out what the f*** was going on with my body.”

“That day, [I was] super short of breath,” Gray says. “My voice didn’t seem to wanna warm up. My throat was f***ing super dry all day.”

Gray later tested positive after the performance, which forced Mudvayne to cancel their set at the Louder than Life festival in late September.

“It f***ing wiped me out,” Gray says of the virus.

“That’s one thing, too, about COVID,” he adds. “One day you might have this sinus thing going on, the next day it’s in your chest. The next day it’s in your throat, the next day you’re really lethargic and tired, and then it’s back in your chest. You can’t f***ing wrap your head around it.”

The Inkcarceration set marked Mudvayne’s first live performance together since 2009. They also played last fall’s Aftershock and Welcome to Rockville festivals.

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Interpol announces US headlining shows

Interpol announces US headlining shows
Interpol announces US headlining shows
Mark Horton/Getty Images

Interpol has announced a U.S. tour for this spring.

The headlining outing kicks off April 25 in Dallas, and will wrap up with a two-night hometown stand in New York City on May 14 and 15. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit InterpolNYC.com.

Following the headlining dates, Interpol will play the previously announced 2022 Just Like Heaven festival, taking place May 21 in Pasadena, California. The bill also includes many other bands from the 2000s indie scene, including The Shins, Modest Mouse, Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party.

Along with the tour announcement, Interpol has released a video showing the group working on new music at Battery Studio in London. Their most recent record is 2018’s Marauder.

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Megan Thee Stallion stars with Jennifer Lopez in new Coach spring fashion campaign

Megan Thee Stallion stars with Jennifer Lopez in new Coach spring fashion campaign
Megan Thee Stallion stars with Jennifer Lopez in new Coach spring fashion campaign
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows

Megan Thee Stallion joins Jennifer Lopez in the new Coach spring 2022 “That’s My Ride” fashion campaign which was unveiled Tuesday.

The “Hot Girl Summer” stars in a 30-second commercial modeling Coach designs as she has fun riding bumper cars at a seaside amusement park to the music of Patrice Rushen‘s 1982 Grammy nominated track, “Forget Me Nots.”

“THEE main attraction. Riding with @coach’s iconic Horse and Carriage print for Spring 2022,” Megan commented on Instagram. “What’s your ride hotties?”

Coach is one of several endorsements for the three-time Grammy winner. She will also appear in a Super Bowl commercial for Frito-Lay. In a comical teaser she posted this week, as Meg walks toward her trailer and attempts to enter, she is shocked to see the long arm of an animal reach out the door, knock her name plate on the ground, and lock the door from inside.

Last year, the Glamour Woman of the Year honoree became a partner with the Popeye’s chicken franchise, and signed a production deal with Netflix. In 2020, the “Body” rapper was named a Revlon global ambassador.

In March, Thee Stallion will join the Dupa Lipa “Future Nostalgia” tour, and in April, she will perform at the Coachella Festival.

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“Maybe I wasn’t so cool”: Tim McGraw reacts to his old music videos

“Maybe I wasn’t so cool”: Tim McGraw reacts to his old music videos
“Maybe I wasn’t so cool”: Tim McGraw reacts to his old music videos
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Mutton chops, “mad farmers who can’t get to their fields” and “me trying to be GQ”: Tim McGraw takes a walk down music video memory lane in a new reaction video the singer posted to his YouTube channel.

The singer looks back at three videos — 1994’s “Down on the Farm,” 2003’s “She’s My Kind of Rain” and 2016’s “Humble and Kind” — in the clip. He takes plenty of cracks at his fashion sense and youthful sensibilities throughout the video, but Tim has some sentimental stories to share, too, like how Oprah Winfrey helped inspire the music video for “Humble and Kind.”

“I knew that when we did the video, we had to figure out some way to make it special,” he remembers.

He got inspired after watching the trailer for Oprah’s Belief documentary series, which featured footage of people across the world, from a variety of different cultures.

“I thought, ‘Boy, that’s the way I want this video to look,’” Tim explains. So he sent the song to [producer, director and actor] Tyler Perry, a partner in Oprah’s OWN network, asking if it would be possible to use some of the footage from Belief for his video.

“I sent him the song, and he called me back, and he was crying on the phone about how wonderful the song is,” the singer recounts. “And he said, ‘I just sent it to Oprah, I hope you don’t mind, and she said you can have any of the footage that you want.’”

Tim concludes, “I just think it’s one of the most beautiful videos that we’ve ever shot.”

“Humble and Kind” won several awards, including Video of the Year at the 2016 CMT Music Awards.

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Chris Martin jokes about working with BTS: “We look like their gym teachers”

Chris Martin jokes about working with BTS: “We look like their gym teachers”
Chris Martin jokes about working with BTS: “We look like their gym teachers”
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for MRC

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is a big fan of his band’s “My Universe” collaboration with BTS and, in a new interview, he joked the stylish septet has a “bizarre” effect on his group.  According to the British singer, BTS makes Coldplay look like a gang of awkward older men.

“It’s quite a bizarre,” he laughed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Wednesday as he pointed to a photo of them all posing together. “We look like their gym teachers.”  Still, Chris has nothing but nice things to say about the Grammy nominees.

“I genuinely love these people,” he stated. “It was cool to see how their life is.  It’s a very different kind of band to us.  And it’s much more disciplined in a certain way.”  Chris added that Coldplay might not adapt very well to their strict schedule, but said he enjoyed being a part of their world when they spent time in Korea to work on “My Universe.”

He revealed how Coldplay and BTS’ worlds collided, saying the septet “asked [us] to do a song with them,” and Chris wondered, given their different sounds and styles, “How are we going to fit these two things together?”

“Then the idea started to seem really attractive in its weirdness, and then one day the right song arrived,” he continued. “It felt really natural.”

“My Universe” went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the British group’s first chart topper since 2008’s “Viva La Vida.”

Looking ahead to Coldplay’s future, Chris confirmed the band has three more albums in them — and one will be a musical — and they’ll all be out by 2025. “I think that’s what feels right, to us,” he clarified, adding they’ll still go on tours together, but, “the story of our albums ends then.”

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