If it’s the fall, there must be a new Pentatonix Christmas album around the corner.
The Grammy-winning a cappella group will release their sixth holiday project, Evergreen, on October 29. The first track, a version of the 1945 standard “It’s Been a Long, Long Time,” is out now, and you’ll get it free if you pre-order the album.
“It’s Been a Long, Long Time” isn’t actually a Christmas song, but its message of longing to be with loved ones after being apart for a while is apropos as the group returns to the road to see their fans, and people reunite with families they may not have been able to see for the holidays last year.
Pentatonix is also launching their Evergreen Christmas Tour 2021, which starts November 27 in Baltimore, MD before wrapping up in the group’s home state of Texas on December 22 and 23. Tickets go on sale October 1 at 10 a.m. local time. More details are available at PTXofficial.com.
“We can’t wait to perform songs off of our new record for you this holiday season!” the group writes on Instagram.
Last year, Pentatonix released the album We Need a Little Christmas, in addition to their non-Christmas EP, At Home. Earlier this year, the quintet released an album of original material, The Lucky Ones.
Spencer Elden, who was photographed as a baby for the cover of Nirvana‘s Nevermind album cover, is pleading with the band to censor his genitalia on all future reissues of the album.
The album artwork famously depicts the then-infant Elden swimming naked underwater while reaching for a dollar bill on a fishing hook. Last month, he sued Nirvana for child pornography.
According to Billboard, Elden has amplified his grievances by demanding the band censor the artwork, which includes the 30th anniversary reissues of Nevermind that arrive November 12.
In a statement obtained by Billboard, Elden’s attorneys declare, “Today, like each year on this date, our client Spencer Elden has had to brace himself for renewed unwanted attention from the media and fans alike throughout the world. This is a choice that he has never had. It has been thrust upon him, and for 30 years he has dealt with its devastating and painful consequences. Our message to Nirvana is clear — redact the image of Mr. Elden’s genitalia from all future album covers.”
Nirvana nor its label, Universal Music Group, have publicly commented on the matter.
The band, comprised of members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and the late Kurt Cobain, released Nevermind on September 24, 1991. It’s since been certified Diamond by the RIAA for over 10 million sales.
(NEW YORK) — If you’re concerned about travel plans changing during the holidays, experts say it’s important to take stock of any vouchers you may be sitting on and utilize the lack of change fees.
1. Take Advantage of No Change Fees
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, major U.S. airlines have done away with change fees, allowing travelers to be more flexible with their plans and giving them the option to switch travel dates and flights.
Scott Keyes, founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights, said it’s crucial to take advantage of this policy when booking holiday trips.
“During the pandemic, the airlines got rid of those change fees for most flights, so now when you book a flight, as long as it’s not in Basic Economy, you automatically have flexibility so that you can change your flight later on without having to pay any penalty to do so,” Keyes said in an interview with ABC News. “If the new flights you switch to are more expensive, you do have to cover that fare difference, but if the new dates are cheaper, you’ll actually get the difference back in the form of a travel credit.”
While carriers are being more accommodating, Keyes said it’s important to not think of this policy as “free cash.”
“What folks have now when they travel is that they have the flexibility to be able to change their travel dates or get a voucher from the airline for future travel, but again not conflating that with getting a cash refund.”
However, if you want to be certain that you will get your money back, be sure to book a “refundable” fare.
“To be able to get your money back for a flight that you no longer want to take, you had to have booked a much more expensive refundable ticket,” Keyes said. “Those are the only ones that allow you to fully get your money back if you decide later to cancel.”
2. Check to see if you have any vouchers, and if they’re still valid
If you didn’t book that refundable fare, you’re next best bet is contacting your airline and obtaining a travel voucher — this will allow you to use that money with the airline and rebook at a later date.
However, those vouchers don’t last forever, Keyes said.
“Vouchers in general have a use it or lose it component,” Keyes said. “You want to find out what the expiration date is so it doesn’t accidentally expire without your even realizing it.”
At the beginning of the pandemic, airlines began offering customers travel vouchers for trips already booked. Policies vary from carrier to carrier, so it’s important to read the fine print.
“You want to find out what is the expiration date refer to — does this refer to the date I have to travel by or just the date I have to book my flight by,” Keyes said.
If your voucher has expired, Keyes said not to lose hope.
“Give the airline a call and see if they’re willing to extend the deadline,” Keyes said. “The number of people traveling is still down significantly from where it was pre-pandemic and airlines are trying to engender not only goodwill among travelers, but also trying to make sure that folks fill up those planes.”
“It never hurts to ask.”
3. Treat it like a game of chicken
If your trip is already booked but you think you might have to make changes, Keyes said it might be worth waiting until the last minute to cancel or tweak your trip.
“My best piece of advice in that scenario is to treat it like a game of chicken,” Keyes said. “It’s either you cancel the flight, and you’re going to get a travel voucher from the airline, or maybe they cancel the flight, in which case you would be entitled to a cash refund — so it’s whoever blinks first.”
Last year, the Department of Transportation (DOT) cracked down on airlines, pushing them to be more transparent with their refund policies if a flight is cancelled or significantly delayed by the carrier.
The move came amid thousands of complaints from customers, many of which concerned refunds. At the time, DOT asked airlines, “to revisit their customer service policies and ensure they are as flexible and considerate as possible to the needs of passengers who face financial hardship during this time.”
“The one loophole here, which I think is really important for folks to know, is if the airline cancels or significantly changes your flight, under federal law you are entitled to a full cash refund if you want one,” Keyes said.
Britney Spears‘ fiancé Sam Asghari isn’t pleased with the recent spate of documentaries detailing Britney’s ongoing conservatorship case.
Ahead of FX/Hulu’s Controlling Britney Spears, which premiered on Friday, Sam posted a statement to his Instagram Stories, captured by Just Jared.
“Apparently my opinion has increased in value over the past few days,” the 27-year-old model/actor joked, before adding, “Past docs left bad after taste. I’m hopeful this one will be respectful.”
Referring to other documentaries, which include CNN’s Toxic: Britney Spears’ Battle for Freedom, the BBC’s The Battle for Britney: Fans, Cash and a Conservatorship and Netflix’s upcoming Britney Vs. Spears, Sam wrote, “I don’t blame CNN, BBC, or NETFLIX (which got me thru lockdowns) for airing them because as an actor i tell other people’s stories too.”
“I question producers who made them ‘just to shed light’ without input or approval from [the] subject,” he explained. “Any credit for light being shed should go to #freebritney.”
Sam didn’t mention FX/Hulu, whose first Britney doc, Framing Britney Spears, has been credited with helped reignite the #FreeBritney movement.
Sam’s message included a “Free Britney” illustration, a cartoon judge, and an image of Jason Statham with the caption “no sweat.”
Doja Cat is following in the footsteps of Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Selena Gomez and Halsey by becoming the newest pop star to launch her own makeup line.
The “Kiss Me More” singer has teamed with BH Cosmetics for her BHxDojaCat collection, which offers a wide variety of products from eye shadow to lip-plumping glosses, and perfume.
“Inspired by the divine energy of nature and all its prismatic elements, Doja Cat’s first-ever beauty collection is a mystical journey of discovery,” the makeup line’s official website reads.
Doja’s numerous eye shadow palettes offer an array of shades complimentary to the bold and attention-grabbing colors featured across her music videos — from hot pink to deep space blue. The names also offer a bit of sass, from celebrating birth stones to titles such as “Lookin like a snack.”
In addition, Doja has created a variety of products that celebrate all things that glitter, such as shimmering powder highlighters, base booster glitter and shadow glue, plus decorative face and body jewels. There’s also a line of brushes, mirrors and other makeup tools.
Above all else, Doja seems to want her beauty line to be affordable: Prices range from $4 to $36. The most expensive item is her unisex perfume, Devil’s Advocate, which costs $57.
Most of Doja’s eye shadow palettes, with 15 to 16 colors, retail for $18, while her Mega palette — which comes with 36 color options — retails for $36.
You can buy the products now at BHCosmetics.com and, starting October 3, at ULTA stores and online.
(NEW YORK) — The United States has been facing a COVID-19 surge as the more contagious delta variant continues to spread.
More than 686,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 while over 4.7 million people have died from the disease worldwide, according to real-time data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
The U.S. is continuing to sink on the list of global vaccination rates, currently ranking No. 46, according to data compiled by The Financial Times. Just 64.7% of Americans ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the CDC.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Sep 27, 9:07 am
CDC ‘enthusiastically awaiting’ Pfizer vaccine data on ages 5 to 11
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said her agency is “enthusiastically awaiting” data from Pfizer on the use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5 to 11.
On Sunday, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on This Week that he expects the company to submit the data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration within the coming days.
“As soon as they get submitted to the FDA, I know the FDA is urgently planing to review this data,” Walensky told ABC News’ Whit Johnson in an interview Monday on Good Morning America.
“It will go from the FDA to the CDC and we will review it with similar urgency,” she added, “and I’m hoping in the order of weeks.”
Sep 27, 8:49 am
CDC director stands by decision to overrule panel on Pfizer boosters
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said she stands by her decision to overrule her agency’s independent advisory panel by adding a recommendation for people considered high risk due to where they work to get a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
“This scientific process goes from an advisory committee at the FDA, to the authorization of the FDA, to an advisory committee at the CDC and then recommendations from the CDC. It’s a very transparent, scientific, public process and I listened intently,” Walensky told ABC News’ Whit Johnson in an interview Monday on Good Morning America.
“I fully endorsed the recommendations from the CDC advisory committee for boosters for those over the age of 65, as well as for those with underlying conditions,” she continued. “And then I also endorsed — in full alignment with the FDA and many people at the CDC — for boosters for people with high risk exposures, like those who work in occupational settings or in group settings or live in group settings, and I felt after listening to all of the science that that was actually the best move for public health.”
On Thursday night, the panel voted unanimously to recommend Pfizer boosters for seniors and other medically vulnerable Americans, six months after their second dose. People younger than 49, however, should only get a third dose if the benefits outweigh the risks, the panel said — a personal consideration to discuss with their doctor. Some panelists said that without further data, they weren’t comfortable with automatically including younger people because of their jobs.
Mary Kouw/CBS 2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The 74th annual Tony Awards celebrated pre- and post-pandemic era Broadway Sunday night by honoring productions that went live during the 2019-2020 season.
The ceremony was delayed a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic and, ultimately, resulted in a cumulative four-hour broadcast that was simulcast on CBS and the Paramount+ streaming service. The show went smoothly, with host Audra McDonald proclaiming that the audience was comprised of “vaxxed and masked” individuals, reflecting the current Broadway policy.
Among the big winners of the night was newcomer Moulin Rouge! The Musical, which earned the trophy for best musical and also dominated the respective musical categories. The Inheritance was honored with best play while A Soldier’s Play was deemed best revival.
Here’s the complete list of Tony winners:
Best Play The Inheritance
Best Musical Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Best Revival of a Play A Soldier’s Play
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Adrienne Warren, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
Aaron Tveit, Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
Mary-Louise Parker, The Sound Inside
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
Andrew Burnap, The Inheritance
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Lauren Patten, Jagged Little Pil
Best Performance by a Feature Actor in a Musical
Danny Burstein, Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
Lois Smith, The Inheritance
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
David Alan Grier, A Soldier’s Play
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre A Christmas Carol
Best Book of a Musical Jagged Little Pill
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Rob Howell, A Christmas Carol
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Derek McLane, Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Best Costume Design of a Play
Rob Howell, A Christmas Carol
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Catherine Zuber, Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Hugh Vanstone, A Christmas Carol
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Justin Townsend, Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Best Sound Design of a Play
Simon Baker, A Christmas Carol
Best Sound Design of a Musical
Peter Hylenski, Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Best Direction of a Play
Stephen Daldry, The Inheritance
Best Direction of a Musical
Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Best Choreography
Sonya Tayeh, Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Best Orchestrations
Katie Kresek, Charlie Rosen, Matt Stine and Justin Levine, Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings continued its hold on the top spot at the box office for the fourth straight week, earning an additional $13.3 million. That brings its total domestic box office gross to $196.5 million, eclipsing MCU sibling Black Widow‘s $183.6 million to become the highest-grossing film of 2021.
Shang Chi has grabbed a total of $166.9 million overseas to date, bringing its worldwide tally to $363.4 million.
Dear Evan Hansen, on the other hand, hit a sour note at the box office. The adaptation of the hit 2016 Broadway musical, featuring an all-star cast that includes Amy Adams, Julianne Moore and Ben Platt, the latter of whom originated the role on Broadway and won a Tony Award for it, opened with an estimated $7.5 million.
Disney/20th Century’s Free Guy grabbed third place, delivering an estimated $4.1 million in its seventh week of release. The film’s totals now stand at $114.1 million stateside and $203.3 million internationally, bringing its current global box office haul to $317.4 million.
Marvel and 20th Century Studios are owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.
Candyman, now in its fifth week of release, held on to fourth place with an estimated $2.5 million
Rounding out the top five was the western Cry Macho, the latest film from 91-year-old director and star Clint Eastwood. The movie added another $2.1 million.
Legendary singer Kelly Price is speaking out after being listed as a missing person following her release from a Georgia hospital following a severe battle with COVID-19.
In an interview with TMZ on Sunday, the 48-year-old singer said she never went missing and that, instead, she had isolated herself during her recovery. Price also claims that she almost died during her hospitalization.
“At some point, they lost me,” she told the outlet, “I woke up some days later and the first thing I remember is the team of doctors standing around me and asking me if they knew what [day] it was.”
She revealed she admitted herself to the hospital because her COVID-19 symptoms were “progressing in the wrong direction” after battling the virus for about a week. Thankfully, she is working toward a full recovery, but says she is still occasionally relying on oxygen and has trouble speaking for great lengths of time.
According to a previous report from TMZ, Price’s representatives confirmed the singer was taken to an undisclosed location to safely recover from COVID-19.
Prior to that, Price had been listed as a missing person with the National Crime Information Center following a welfare check at her home on September 18 by Georgia authorities.
As for what caused her to be reported as a missing person, the “Friend of Mine” singer claims her family started the drama and lays the blame partially on her sister. In the meantime, she is working with attorney Monica Ewing to have her name removed from Georgia’s missing person list.
(NEW YORK) — After almost 16 years as leader of Europe’s most powerful economy, Angela Merkel will be leaving the chancellorship behind as Germany votes on a new parliament. Merkel’s successor — either her Christian Democratic Union appointee, Armin Laschet, or Olaf Scholz of the center-left Social Democrats — will be determined only once a new government is formed.
Sunday’s general election saw Scholz’s SPD win 25.7% of the vote, closely followed by the conservative CDU at 24.1%, according to official preliminary results released Monday morning. However, they alone don’t have the majority needed to rule and will have to form strategic coalitions that will determine who will govern the country.
It’s historically rare in German politics that the make-up of a leading coalition and identity of the next chancellor is so unclear. Despite Merkel’s popularity, her CDU struggled to galvanize the conservative party’s traditional base under Laschet, the governor of Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia state.
Laschet was gaffe-laden during the campaign, including being caught on camera laughing during a tribute to those who died in the devastating floods in West Germany in July. Even on voting day, Laschet made a blunder by folding his ballot the wrong way — making his voting choice visible, which could make his vote invalid.
Climate change has played a central role during the election race. The environmentalist Greens gained more support than anticipated early on.
It could take weeks — if not months — of negotiations between the parties before a coalition government is fully formed. Dr. Ursula Münch from Germany’s Academy of Political Education predicts the transition period to be drawn out.
“Many in Germany are speculating that Merkel might still have to hold the New Years’ speech,” Münch told ABC News.
One thing is certain: Merkel’s exit will mark the end of an era. In her last few weeks, Germans are reflecting on the legacy that she leaves behind.
“Angela Merkel became chancellor when I was 14 years old,” 30-year-old German citizen Svenja Beck told ABC News. “I can hardly remember anyone other than a woman ever ruling our country. It feels crazy that this era is coming to an end. In any case, I hope she can enjoy her well-deserved retirement, especially after these exhausting 1.5 years.”
Indeed, there’s a sense of nostalgia in some young Germans who have only known a country led by the leader known as “mutti,” or mother.
After three terms as chancellor, Merkel is still a popular figure. Last week a survey by Gallup research recorded her approval rating at 71%.
Many Germans have admired her demeanor — an assuring confidence, a pragmatism — others have been assured by her steady economic policies that have enabled the country to weather several crises. She’s also been valued for her ability to reach consensus across governments and political persuasions.
“Merkel’s personal style has left certain marks,” Münch said. “Her rather restrained, unpretentious and matter-of-fact nature does seem to be popular among a large part of the population.”
Beyond that, Münch considers Merkel’s legacy to be defined by her crisis management and ability to deal with adverse situations “step by step.”
Münch noted that while Merkel may approach potential conflicts with hesitation at first, she’ll quickly and thoroughly deal with them once she’s in the thick of it.
“We saw this with the banking crisis, with the Euro rescue, during the refugee crisis and now in particular with the coronavirus,” she added.
But throughout the years, Merkel has received criticism for being too complacent on certain fronts, with environmentalists being particularly vocal in accusing her of not doing enough to tackle climate change.
German citizen Steffen Mechlinski, who voted for the Greens on Sunday, said he’s looking forward to some issues getting more attention under the new leadership:
“After 16 solid years, I am now hoping for an ambitious policy approach, particularly when it comes to climate change, social justice, education and digitalization,” Mechlinski told ABC News.
Internationally, Merkel has enjoyed widespread popularity.
“She’s considered to be a very dependable person in many parts of the world,” Münch said, “although I’m sure that some eastern European and southeastern European states may not agree.”
However, it’s Merkel’s willingness to involve everyone, including smaller states, in policy debates and decisions that gives her a reputation for fairness and dependability.
Münch doesn’t foresee any dramatic changes to Germany’s foreign policy.
“The CDU and the SPD are really not that different from each other,” she said. “Both are transatlantically oriented parties. Both — including the SPD under Olaf Scholz — keep Russia at a distance and approach China with reservations.”
Even the Greens, who will form part of the new government, won’t dramatically impact the direction of Germany’s foreign policy, particularly when it comes to the United States.
“All three parties are transatlantics,” Münch added. “These are all people and parties who care a lot about German-American relations.”
In her years as chancellor, Merkel has resisted taking a tougher stance on China, with trade between the two countries booming.
Münch doesn’t expect doesn’t anticipate dramatic changes toward China, saying that even the Greens must conduct a business-friendly policy.
“Perhaps, when it comes to China, the priority won’t just be foreign trade,” she said, “but that the approach will be more cautious, especially with regards to human rights policies.”
