(TOKYO) — American Carissa Moore grabbed a typhoon by the tail and rode into the history books on Tuesday, becoming the first woman ever to win a gold medal in surfing at the Olympics.
The 28-year-old Hawaiian, the world’s No. 1 ranked woman surfer, burst into tears as she emerged from the water at Japan’s Shidashita Beach following her victorious performance on waves stoked up by Typhoon Nepartak swirling in the Pacific Ocean. She was lifted on the shoulders of Team USA coaches as she wrapped herself in an American flag.
Moore’s win came after she bested South Africa’s Bianca Buitendag in the head-to-head finale of the inaugural surfing event at the Tokyo Games.
A four-time World Surfing League champion, Moore posted a combined score of 14.93 to Buitendag’s 8.46. Buitendag settled for the silver medal and with Moore well ahead of her, left the water early to allow the Olympic champion the spotlight as she surfed to shore to the applause of her teammates and coaches.
Moore was the only member of Team USA to advance to the medal round after winning her heats in the quarterfinals and semifinals.
Her teammate Caroline Marks, 19, of Melbourne Beach, Florida, the sixth-ranked woman’s surfer in the world, was nudged out of the medal round by Japan’s Amuro Tsuzuki, 20, who went on to claim a bronze medal.
On the men’s side, American Kolohe Andino, 27, of San Clemente, California, who holds seven USA Surfing Champion titles, was knocked out of the competition in the quarterfinals by Kanoa Igarashi, 23, of Japan, who went on to win a silver medal.
Brazil’s Italo Ferreira, 27, was crowned Olympic gold medal champion with his win over Igarashi.
Owen Wright, 31, of Australia, claimed the bronze medal with an upset win over Gabriel Medina, 27, of Brazil, the No. 1 ranked male surfer in the world.
Julian Casablancas took the mound at Citi Field Monday ahead of his beloved New York Mets’ doubleheader against the visiting Atlanta Braves.
The Strokes frontman delivered the ceremonial first pitch while wearing a Darryl Strawberry jersey and a bandana sticking out the front of his backwards Mets cap, which seemed to confuse the announcing crew. It a post-pitch interview, Casablancas described his look as “baseball fashion.”
The Mets broadcast team might’ve also given any Strokes fans watching a minor stroke of their own when they referred to Casablancas as the “former lead singer” of the band. Luckily, a rep tells Pitchfork the comment was a mistake.
Casablancas, an NYC native, is a longtime Mets fan. He even wrote a song called “Ode to the Mets” for The Strokes’ most recent album, 2020’s The New Abnormal.
The Mets, by the way, split the doubleheader against the Braves, losing the first game but winning the second.
(NEW YORK) — In the last decade, the popularity of traditional cigarettes — particularly among teenagers — has declined tremendously, while the use of electronic cigarettes has been on the rise.
But now a new smoke-free alternative called heated tobacco is slowly gaining a foothold in the U.S. market. Also known as heat-not-burn tobacco products, the devices heat up a cigarette without using an open flame.
The heated cigarette produces an aerosol that contains the nicotine as well as other chemicals and additives. The device is more similar to a traditional cigarettes than an e-cigarette or a vape device, which don’t contain tobacco, because the nicotine is coming directly from the cigarette.
Tobacco companies are attempting to glamorize these products, experts told ABC News.
“They’re attempting to make the packaging and the marketing look white and clear and clean and very modern,” said Erika Sward, assistant vice president for advocacy at the American Lung Association. “But we can’t afford to be fooled again on another tobacco product.”
“The tobacco industry is always looking for new ways to get new people to smoke and use nicotine products and be hooked for life,” said Dr. Maria Rahmandar, medical director of the Substance Use and Prevention Program at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.
So far, only one such device — made by one of the world’s largest tobacco companies, Philip Morris — has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Moira Gilchrist, vice president of strategic and scientific communications at Philip Morris, told ABC News that the company’s heated tobacco product “is not for youth at all.”
“We place a really high emphasis on making sure we’re selling a product only to the right people, and that we’re not attracting the wrong audience,” Gilchrist added.
Despite this sentiment, teens are still curious — and at risk.
While heated tobacco products only became legal in the United States in 2019, the device have already started to catch the attention of high school students. Nearly one in 10 of California’s 10th and 12th graders have heard of heated tobacco products, with the vast majority saying they first learned about them from the internet or social media, according to a study published in Pediatrics, the official peer-reviewed journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Although the survey found that less than 1% of California teens have actually used heated tobacco products, researchers are worried.
“Our concern is that this is a new product and the design is kind of slick,” the study’s co-author, Dr. Shu-Hong Zhu, who is also the director of the Center for Research and Intervention in Tobacco Control at the University of California, San Diego, told ABC News. “Our goal was to raise the alarm. We fear this might be like the new e-cigarettes.”
Almost one in five students surveyed said they would try heated tobacco products if offered to them by a friend. This number doubled for students who have already used e-cigarettes or vape devices, according to the study.
Heated tobacco products have been marketed as a better alternative to smoking, but the American Academy of Pediatrics warns the devices contain about the same amount of nicotine as traditional cigarettes and give off secondhand aerosol that is unsafe to breath.
“If someone is interested in quitting smoking there are ways that are safe and effective,” Sward said. “This is a product that is aimed at continuing someone’s addiction.”
Moreover, the devices also contain chemicals like carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas), acetone (the active ingredient in nail polish remover), ammonia (commonly used in household cleaners) and benzene (a component of gasoline).
“Any time [parents] or their children are inhaling these kinds or any type of chemicals into their lungs, they’re putting their health at risk,” Sward warned.
As teens head back to school this fall, experts are urging families to be aware of these new, dangerous products.
“Nicotine is just so powerful,” Rahmandar said. “There is no safe tobacco product. There is no safe nicotine product. These products are certainly not safe and harmless — especially to the developing brain.”
Chidimma J. Acholonu, M.D. M.P.H. is a pediatric resident physician at the University of Chicago and a contributor for the ABC News Medical Unit.
While he previously dodged knowing anything about the then-rumored re-kindled romance between his pal Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, now that Bennifer 2.0 is officially a thing, Matt Damon is all smiles.
“I’m just so happy for him. He’s the best,” the Stillwater star tells Extra of his childhood friend and fellow Good Will Hunting Oscar-winning screenwriter. “He deserves every happiness in the world. I’m glad for both of them.”
Affleck and Lopez reportedly re-coupled in April, but it took until this past weekend, while the pair vacationed in St. Tropez for Lopez’ 52nd birthday, for them to go “Instagram official.”
In a slideshow that featured Lopez sunning, and stunning, in a bikini aboard a yacht, the pair exchanged a passionate smooch. The post has been liked more than 8.4 million times.
The romance between the Gigli co-stars began in 2002 and the two announced their engagement later that year. Jennifer and Ben never made it to the altar, though, going their separate ways in 2004.
Affleck married actress Jennifer Garner and went on to have three children with her. They divorced in 2015. Meanwhile, Lopez wed singer Marc Anthony and had twin children with him. Their marriage ended in 2011.
Lopez later became engaged to former New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez, but the two ended it in April.
Bella Donna, Stevie Nicks‘ first solo album, was released July 27, 1981, and was an immediate success. To mark the 40th anniversary of the start of Stevie’s solo career, here are Five Fascinating Facts about Bella Donna.
5. Stevie began working on Bella Donna in between sessions for Fleetwood Mac‘s 1979 album, Tusk. She started recording it in 1980, after the Tusk tour ended.
4. The only song on the album Stevie didn’t write was “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” which was penned by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers frontman Tom Petty and guitarist Mike Campbell. Producer Jimmy Iovine, who worked with both acts, had the idea of having Stevie record it as a duet with Petty. The song’s video was the 25th video ever shown on MTV.
3. Nicks wrote Bella Donna‘s other duet, “Leather & Lace,” for an album by country star Waylon Jennings and his wife, Jessi Colter. When it didn’t make that album, Stevie recorded it with her ex-boyfriend, The Eagles‘ Don Henley.
2. Bella Donna includes Stevie’s signature song, “Edge of Seventeen,” which was inspired by Petty and his wife, as well as the deaths of both Stevie’s uncle and John Lennon. It was sampled by Destiny’s Child for their number-one hit “Bootylicious,” and interpolated by Miley Cyrus on her 2020 single “Midnight Sky.” Stevie appeared in the “Bootylicious” video, and allowed Miley to do an “Edge of Midnight” remix with a sample of her original song.
1. Bella Donna hit number one on the Billboard chart, spun off four top-40 singles, and has been certified for sales of 4 million copies. Its huge success has allowed Stevie to run a solo career parallel to her work with Fleetwood Mac for decades. Having previously been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Fleetwood Mac in 1998, Stevie went in again in 2019 as a solo artist, making her the first woman ever to be inducted twice.
Cuba Gooding Jr. will stand trial in New York for forcible touching and sexual abuse beginning October 18, a judge ruled Tuesday.
The charges stem from an alleged encounter with a woman at the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar and Lounge in the Moxy Times Square Hotel. A patron at that bar claims the actor groped her breast, an allegation Gooding denies.
Gooding was formally charged with misdemeanor forcible touching at the NYPD’s 25th Precinct in Harlem, New York, in 2019, and later indicted.
He pleaded not guilty to one misdemeanor count each of forcible touching and sexual abuse in the third degree.
Attorneys for the Jerry Maguire star had previously sought to dismiss the case, arguing that a video of his encounter with the woman in question shows that he didn’t grope her. A judge declined to dismiss the case.
It’s been a while since actor-singer Tyrese Gibson has been in the studio to make new music. Gibson, who reprises his role as Roman Pearce in the latest Fast & Furious installment, F9, says there’s a reason for that.
“My love for music doesn’t allow for me to do it as often as a lot of my supporters and fans want me to,” Gibson tells ABC Audio. “And, it’s like the Holy Grail, you know. I don’t touch it. I don’t play with it. I don’t sing unless I’m really coming from a real place.”
Gibson, whose last solo studio album was 2015’s Black Rose, says he knows that having the ability to pick and choose when he’ll make new music is a “luxury” that a “lot of people can’t afford.”
“So if you ain’t paying the bills, you got to pump an album out every year,” he continues. “You got to keep the relevancy, got to stay on the charts. You got to drop singles and videos and keep chasing that thing.”
Now as a successful film franchise and blockbuster star, Gibson says he doesn’t have to worry about those things anymore.
“Other than Jesus himself, my main source of income is movies,” he says. “And, it allows me to really get in the studio and do music when I’m able to sing from a real place. So whether it’s good, bad, challenging, or ugly — I sing from a real place.”
Gibson’s latest film project, F9, is currently in theaters nationwide.
Snoop Dogg expressed his gratitude to fans over the weekend, thanking them for their continued prayers for his mother, Beverly Tate, who fell ill last spring.
In May, the 49-year-old rapper asked fans to pray for his mother, but didn’t specify any details surrounding her health or the situation. Then Sunday, Snoop shared some positive news, posting a photo of his 70-year-old mom resting on a hospital bed while he and his siblings comfort her.
“Happy Sunday me and my brothers went to c mama today and she opened up her eyes to c us and let us know she still fighting,” he explained in the emotional caption. “God is good.”
“Thanks for all the prayers,” he concluded, adding, “1 day at a time.”
Snoop’s update attracted support from his famous friends, including Busta Rhymes, Queen Latifah, Jamie Foxx, Lizzo, Kenan Thompson and many others.
Snoop has yet to publicly disclose his mother’s ailment or condition.
Shortly after revealing his mother’s health struggles in May, Snoop shared in an Instagram video, “Gotta stay strong, gotta keep pushing on. They say God ain’t gon put nothing on you, you can’t handle. I’m being tested right now y’all. Make sure y’all pray for me and my family.”
Without the GOAT leading her team for the finals competition, USA Gymnastics took the silver medal at the Tokyo games, following Simone Biles‘ surprise withdrawal earlier today.
The athletes from Russia came out on top, beating the cumulative U.S. score by more than three points. Great Britain won bronze.
The U.S. women’s gymnastics team was seeking to bring home the gold for the third time in a row at the competition on Tuesday.
This was one of the strongest gymnastics teams the world has seen, led by all-time great Biles and uneven bars phenom Sunisa Lee. The team is rounded out by Jordan Chiles and Grace McCallum.
After a rare stumble on vault Tuesday, Biles withdrew for what USA Gymnastics called a “medical issue.” She went on to cheer on her teammates from the sidelines.
Following news of her withdrawal, Simone got praise online, including from fellow Olympic medal winner Adam Rippon. The former figure skater noted on Twitter, “I can’t imagine the pressure Simone has been feeling. Sending her SO much love. It easy to forget she’s still human. WE LOVE YOU.”
After a shaky Olympic debut on Monday, Biles Instagrammed, “It wasn’t an easy day or my best but I got through it. I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times. I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesn’t affect me but damn sometimes it’s hard hahaha! The Olympics is no joke!”
Andrew Eccles/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Derek Hough has a full plate already — from judging Dancing with the Stars to starring on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series — but the professional dancer is adding yet another project to his roster: a Las Vegas residency titled Derek Hough: No Limit.
While the 36-year-old Emmy winner is no stranger to performing live, he credited his World of Dance co-star Jennifer Lopez for inspiring him further with a pep talk.
“She gave me some good advice. Her MO is hustle, right?” Hough told Entertainment Tonight. “It’s like, ‘Make sure you hustle. Make sure you keep people out there seeing the show and you’re working,'” said Hough, who is set to become the first artist to take over The Summit Showroom, located at Vegas’ Venetian Resort.
Hough said he’s continually inspired by Lopez’s work ethic, adding, “She’s great. She goes hard in her show. She goes hard in everything.”
He also said the door is open for Jennifer to join him during one of his shows, should she so choose. He also extended the invite to other people in his inner circle.
“I think I’m gonna leave a space in the show open for, you know, if I have Andy Grammer get up, or my sister [Julianne Hough], or Lindsey Stirling, or Ne-Yo,” he grinned, referencing past DWTS competitors. “There’s so many people I think that could be great on the show.”
As for what fans can expect when the curtain rises on September 22, the DWTS pro teased, “It’s gonna be a great show. Live music, I have a live band, incredible dancers… There’s a lot of pent-up energy that’s gonna be out there on that stage. I’m excited!”
