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Lauren Jauregui says she was “violated” when Perez Hilton publicly outed her

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Former Fifth Harmony singer Lauren Jauregui says Perez Hilton “violated” her when he publicly “outed” her on his gossip blog in 2016, before she was ready.

Lauren, who is openly bisexual, was the latest guest on Gloria Estefan‘s Red Table Talk on Facebook Watch to discuss cyberbullying — something they believe is what made Perez famous. Gloria opened the discussion by saying the blogger was “the harbinger of doom” for the young singer when he publicly outed her five years ago and stole her “opportunity to come out.”

“I had been dating the girlfriend that I had at the time for like, probably a year at that point, but we had fallen in love when I was like 15,” Lauren recalled. She had invited her partner to her uncle’s wedding, which had a photo booth, and she said, “My girlfriend and I, we were drunk, so we had taken a picture kissing.”

Lauren’s aunt then “innocently posted” all the photo booth pictures to Facebook, adding, “It was like a link for the family to be able to click on,” but her overzealous fans found it and Perez publicly posted the photo across his accounts.

“[Perez] definitely outed me. I wasn’t ready,” she said. “I felt like my own process was violated.” Lauren says his actions also affected her family because they had to “deal with [it] on a public scale.”

Perez on Wednesday responded to the “Worth It” singer and said he is “NOT sorry for that tweet” because “that was not ‘outing’ her.”

“All I did was send out a tweet talking about the leaked photo and I said “Why are #FifthHarmony fans being so extra over this photo,'” Perez continued. “I don’t regret that. I never claimed or presumed anything about her sexuality.”

All I did was send out a tweet talking about the leaked photo and I said “Why are #FifthHarmony fans being so extra over this photo of @LaurenJauregui (in the red) kissing another girl? NBD!” I don’t regret that. I never claimed or presumed anything about her sexuality.

— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) December 8, 2021

The enemy of my enemy: Dojos unite in new season 4 trailer for ‘Cobra Kai’

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Netlfix has dropped a brand-new trailer to its forthcoming fourth season of the Emmy-nominated Cobra Kai, and the old adage “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” comes to mind.

The snippet shows the members of both the Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang dojos joining forces to take down Martin Kove‘s Sensei Kreese and his Cobra Kai at the All Valley Under 18 Karate Tournament.

“If Johnny and I can actually work together, and we win,” Ralph Macchio‘s Danny LaRusso says in the trailer, “Cobra Kai will be out of business.”

For his part, William Zabka’s Johnny tells their united students, “Eagles do not respond. They swoop down and they take what they want!”

To that end, he prepares a lesson in flying, courtesy of a rooftop and a few hastily stacked mattresses.

“We’re gonna get sued!” Danny protests.

“Sue me for what?” Johnny replies.

Also in the mix this season is Karate Kid III villain Thomas Ian Griffith as Terry Silver — and he’s still up to no good.

“You missed this, don’t you?” Creese tells a suited-up Silver in the dojo, as they exchange mean smiles.

Will Johnny stay with Danny, or will he get drawn back to the dark side? See for yourself when Cobra Kai returns on December 31.

Ralph Tavares of the popular 1970s R&B/disco group Tavares dies at age 79

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Ralph Tavares, the oldest member of the sibling R&B and disco group Tavares, has died, just days shy of his 80th birthday, which would have been this Friday.

Ralph’s passing was reported by Massachusetts newspaper The Standard-Times. No cause of death was given.

Ralph began performing with his brothers during the 1950s. The siblings’ group underwent various name and personnel changes over the years, eventually changing its moniker to Tavares in the early ’70s.

In 1973, Tavares scored its first top-40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Check It Out.” The following year, the group topped the Billboard R&B singles chart with a cover of Hall & Oates‘ “She’s Gone.”

Tavares had its biggest Hot 100 hit in 1975 with “It Only Takes a Minute,” which peaked at #10. In 1976, their single “Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel” reached #15 on the chart.

The group got some high-profile attention when their version of The Bee Gees‘ “More Than a Woman” appeared in the classic 1977 film Saturday Night Fever. The track, which also was featured on the movie’s Grammy-winning soundtrack, peaked at #32 on the Hot 100.

Tavares’ last top-40 hit on the Hot 100 came in 1982 with “A Penny for Your Thoughts,” which also received a Grammy nomination in the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal category.

Ralph retired from the group in 1984 and, according to The Standard-Times, he spent more than 30 years working as a court officer in Massachusetts cities of New Bedford and Fall River.

Ralph rejoined Tavares for a special reunion show in 2014. That same year, the group was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.

Bonnie Raitt to be honored with Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Bonnie Raitt will be starting the new year with an impressive new honor at the upcoming Grammy Awards. The Recording Academy announced Thursday that she’ll receive their Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award celebrates those who “made outstanding contributions of artistic significance to the field of recording,” per the press release.

“Wow what a surprise, I’m speechless,” 10-time Grammy winner Raitt said in a statement, reacting to the announcement. “Thank you so much to all those at The Recording Academy for selecting me to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award!”

Bonnie will pick up her trophy at the Special Merit Awards and 64th Annual Grammy Nominees Reception event on January 30, 2022.

The “Something to Talk About” singer also heads into the new year with a brand-new album, her 21st overall. Titled Just Like That…, it’s due out January 28, with preorders available now on her website.

Bonnie tells the Recording Academy of her upcoming work, “I’m really aware of how lucky we were to be able to safely come together and record this album last summer… After this particularly tough time, we can’t wait to get back on the road to do what we love and have some great new songs to play.”

The 64th annual Grammy Awards air January 31 starting at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

BTS, Taylor Swift and Lil Nas X among celebs who got the most love on Twitter this year

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

With a few weeks left before we step into the new year, Twitter is looking back at its biggest movers and shakers of 2021. Among those who frequently took over the trending charts were BTS, Taylor Swift and Lil Nas X.

The social media service unveiled its annual Year on Twitter data on Thursday and crowned BTS as this year’s most tweeted-about music act, based on worldwide interactions. When looking at just the U.S., the K-pop sensations rank fourth.

BTS member Jungkook also can pat himself on the back for having the second biggest tweet of the year worldwide — coming right behind President Joe Biden saying his inauguration marks “a new day in America.” Also globally, Jungkook’s selfie with a kissy-face emoji was more popular than former president Barack Obama congratulating President Biden on his victory and also Vice President Kamala Harris celebrating her first day on the job.

Taylor is this year’s most talked-about female artist in the U.S., with Twitter noting that her newly re-recorded Fearless and Red albums ignited a flurry of Twitter activity. The Grammy-winner is also the country’s fifth-most tweeted-about musician but, globally, she’s right behind BTS at number two.

Lil Nas X is not only the third-most tweeted-about musician and fifth-most tweeted-about celebrity in the U.S., his Montero debut is the third-most tweeted-about album of 2021.

Beyoncé also got a whole lot of Twitter love this year, with the service naming her the third-most tweeted-about female artist. When compared to all other artists, she finishes the year at number seven.

Britney Spears‘ conservatorship battle placed her into the top 10 on the same list. The “Toxic” singer ends 2021 in ninth place.

😙 pic.twitter.com/Jz9icVF68w

— 방탄소년단 (@BTS_twt) January 25, 2021

Gorillaz releasing new ’Art Book’ collection, featuring Robert Smith & Jack Black

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

A new book of Gorillaz artwork is set to be released next year.

The appropriately titled The Gorillaz Art Book includes never-before-seen pieces by the virtual band’s co-creator, Jamie Hewlett, along with contributions from guests artists including The Cure‘s Robert Smith and actor/Tenacious D frontman Jack Black.

For the 288-page tome, Gorillaz once again teamed up with publisher Z2 Comics, which also put out 2020’s Gorillaz Almanac. Other artists who’ve worked with Z2 include Machine Gun Kelly, Yungblud, Rise Against, Jimmy Eat World and Sublime.

You can pre-order The Gorillaz Art Book now via Z2Comics.com. It’s expected to arrive in April 2022.

Reba McEntire’s former home is transforming into a luxury venue and resort

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

If you’ve ever wanted to hang out at Reba McEntire’s house, you’re in luck: A Southern Colonial mansion in Lebanon, Tennessee that the country superstar formerly called home is now becoming a five-star luxury venue and resort.

Originally built in 1960, the stunning, 13,000-sq. ft home, called The Estate at Cherokee Dock, has been an event space since 2017. It’s been available to host various high-profile and celebrity events for years, and just last month, The Bachelor stars Ben Higgins and Jessica Clarke held their wedding reception at the estate.

Now handled by Nashville management company Infinity Hospitality, the estate will be turned into a luxury resort, also offering event experiences to guests. The full-service venue will boast amenities like spa treatments, golf, live music and even horseback riding, according to a statement from Infinity Hospitality CEO Nathaniel Beaver.

Meanwhile, Reba’s continuing to expand her empire in her home state of Oklahoma: She announced plans for a restaurant and venue called Reba’s Place last month.

Adele reveals Drake influenced her to finally release ’30’

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Adele has set record after record with her groundbreaking album, 30, but she revealed in a new interview that we never would have heard it had it not been for “Hotline Bling” rapper Drake.

Speaking to Rolling Stone on Thursday, the “Easy on Me” singer admits it was once very possible the album would have never seen the light of day because of its pandemic-related delays.

After 30‘s release was pushed back by over a year, Adele began flirting with the idea of never releasing it because it chronicled a set chronological point in her life — her divorce from husband Simon Konecki. The Grammy winner felt every delay further distanced her from that time, and another setback would cause 30 to lose its full emotional impact.

“If it wasn’t coming out now, I think I probably would never put it out,” Adele confessed. “I know I would’ve changed my mind and been like, ‘It’s moved on. Let’s start the next album.'”

Luckily, it didn’t come to that and we have Drake to thank for changing her mind.

“I had that conversation with Drake… He kept having to push his album [Certified Lover Boy] back,” she recalled. “Suddenly he just announced that it was out and was like, ‘I feel like I’ve been working on it for so long because I’ve been sitting on it.’ I feel a bit like that.”

“I couldn’t do that to this album. I feel like it deserves to come out,” Adele said.

30, which was finally released on November 19, 2021, is now the top-selling album in the U.S. and has set multiple streaming and radio records.

Nick Cannon explains why he returned to work so quickly following the passing of five-month-old son Zen

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

After announcing during his Tuesday TV show that his five-month-old son, Zen, died Sunday from brain cancer, Nick Cannon explained on his show Wednesday why he decided to return so quickly after Zen’s passing.

“A lot of people keep asking me like, ‘Man why are you even at work?’ Especially my family members, ‘Boy, you need to go sit down somewhere, you got too many jobs already. Allow yourself to just be yourself,’ ” Cannon said.

“I appreciate that, all of that advice and I know it comes from a place of care. But to me, this isn’t work, this is love.”

As Nick thanked everyone for their support, Zen’s mother, Alyssa Scott, posted an emotional Instagram video montage tribute.

Paired with Jhené Aiko‘s song “Promises,” Scott wrote, “Oh my sweet Zen. The soreness I felt in my arm from holding you is slowly fading away. It’s a painful reminder that you are no longer here. I caught myself looking in the backseat as I was driving only to see the mirror no longer reflecting your perfect face back at me. When I close a door too loudly I hold my breath and wince knowing a soft cry will shortly follow. It doesn’t come. The silence is deafening.”

“We were a team,” Alyssa continued. “It feels unbearable running without you now.”

The video showed Zen playing with a toy piano, taking a bath, and Scott rocking her baby in her arms as he looked up at her.

“It has been an honor and privilege being your mommy,” Scott ended her tribute. “I will love you for eternity.”

When Cannon revealed on his TV talk show that Zen had died, he praised Scott, telling his listeners: “Alyssa was just the strongest woman I’ve ever seen.”

Watch Machine Gun Kelly invade a bank in clip from ‘The Last Son’

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Machine Gun Kelly trades a microphone for a revolver in a new clip from the upcoming Western movie The Last Son.

In the film, the “Bloody Valentine” rocker plays Cal, the son of a “murderous outlaw” Isaac LeMay — portrayed by Avatar‘s Sam Worthington — who believes he is cursed to die at the hands of one of his children. Thus, LeMay begins hunting down and killing his children, including Cal.

It turns out that may not be so easy, since Cal takes after his father in at least one way. The clip, which premiered via Billboard.com, shows MGK leading a gun-toting crew into a bank, with ill intentions.

To find out what exactly those intentions are, you can catch The Last Son in theaters and on-demand this Friday, December 10. The film also stars Thomas Jane and Heather Graham.

Kelly’s past film credits include roles in The Dirt, Bird Box and Beyond the Lights. You can also see him in this year’s Midnight in the Switchgrass, which led to his relationship with Megan Fox.

Meanwhile, Kelly and frequent collaborator Mod Sun are co-directing and co-writing an upcoming film called Good Mourning with a U.

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