WENN – Aug 31, 2021 / 1:17 pm | Story: 344407
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‘Us’ Magazine event held in New York – Arrivals
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Kiss star Gene Simmons has joined bandmate Paul Stanley on the COVID victims list after contracting the virus.
Singer Stanley tested positive last week (25Aug21), forcing the band to scrap a handful of farewell tour concerts, and now bass player Simmons is sick too.
Confirming the news, a band statement reads: “KISS will postpone their next four tour dates. While Paul Stanley recently tweeted that he has recovered from COVID, Gene Simmons has now tested positive and is experiencing mild symptoms.
“The band and crew will remain at home and isolate for the next 10 days and doctors have indicated the tour should be able to resume on September 9th at FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine, CA (California).”
The update comes hours after Simmons blasted politicians for prioritising re-election over the health and safety of constituents.
The rocker has been very vocal about COVID vaccinations and used bandmate Stanley’s recent positive test to remind fans how vital it was to get the jab, insisting those who receive a shot are far more likely to survive a brush with the coronavirus.
And now he’s putting U.S. state leaders on notice and telling Americans not to listen to “stupid politicians”.
In a new interview with 95.5 KLOS, Gene rages, “Evil, self-serving politicians of a certain party are more interested in getting re-elected than actually saving lives. I can’t tell you how furious I am…”
On Friday (27Aug21), a Florida judge ruled Republican Governor Ron DeSantis overstepped his authority when he issued an executive order banning mask mandates in state schools.
Simmons has been urging the band’s fans to wear masks for the past year, and he told the radio station those opposed to vaccinations are idiots.
“The idea that somebody says, ‘It’s my body and my choice’ is so idiotic,” he fumes. “It is not your choice. It is not your body when you come to a red light in your car. You don’t have the right to go through it just ’cause you feel like it… The rest of the world goes on green and stops on red. Just ’cause you feel it’s your right doesn’t give you the right…
“You actually do not have the right to stand up in a movie theatre and yell ‘fire’ just because you think it’s freedom of speech. You don’t have that right. That’s called incitement to riot. There are all sorts of rights you don’t have.”
And the rock star insists there should be a vaccination mandate, forcing all Americans to get jabbed.
“Seven hundred thousand Americans – close to it – are dead because of COVID,” he adds. “Of course it should be a law. As soon as you endanger other people… You do not have the right to smoke in a restaurant or in buildings… You know why? Because you’re endangering other people.”
WENN – Aug 31, 2021 / 1:16 pm | Story: 344406
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Hope for Depression 11th Annual Foundation in New York – Arrivals
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Ashley Judd has taken another big step in her recovery after breaking her leg in the Congo jungle six months ago.
The actress shattered her leg in four places following a nasty fall, but on Tuesday (31Aug21), she shared new photos of herself walking without the aid of crutches for the first time on Instagram.
The Frida star sported a brace on her leg during a visit to Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.
“So refreshing to take a summer evening’s pause,” she captioned the image.
Judd visited Fenway Park with her father, Michael Ciminella, to watch baseball team the Red Sox.
“I grew up with the game – my Papaw Judd coached Little League (sic),” she shared. “My dad was a tremendous player and I have all his newspaper clippings. With my Papaw Ciminella, I listened to the #cincinattireds on his transistor radio while reading the previous game’s box score in the Ashland, KY (Kentucky) newspaper.”
She added: “Thank you, #redsox for helping us make some very special family memories! Dad said he hadn’t had so much fun since he was 14.”
The actress also noted she was at the game with her partner, who she revealed is Swiss.
She was previously married to Scottish racing car driver Dario Franchitti from 2001 to 2013.
WENN – Aug 31, 2021 / 12:43 pm | Story: 344403
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Sir Elton John performs live on stage at WiZink Center in Madrid, Spain, as part of his ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour.
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Elton John was “honored to be name-checked by BTS.
The K-Pop septet mentioned the music icon on their track Permission to Dance, with the line: “When it all seems like it’s wrong / Just sing along to Elton John.”
And the Rocket Man hitmaker, who previously shared a video of himself singing the track on social media, admitted it “blew (his) mind” because he is such a fan of the Butter group.
Speaking on The Official Big Top 40 radio show, Elton said: “It was so cool to be namechecked by someone like BTS.
“It does blow my mind but it’s because I love new, young music. That’s what inspires me.
“I love the old music, but the new music, when you hear something great by someone new, like Holly Humberstone or The Kid LAROI or someone like that, you just think ‘God, I wish I could have done something like that when I was that young.'”
WENN – Aug 31, 2021 / 12:42 pm | Story: 344402
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2017 Gold Meets Golden event held at Equinox Sports Club – Arrivals
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Simone Biles isn’t sure she is “ready” to be “the face” of promoting mental health in sport.
The gymnast – who pulled out of four finals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to her own struggles – has promised to support others in similar situations but only when she’s feeling comfortable and has dealt with her own issues.
She told People magazine: “Sometimes when we speak on these things, then we become the face of it. I’m not sure if I’m completely ready for that aspect of it.
“Obviously, once I am a little bit more open about it, I’d love to help other people going through these things because it is very relatable to know that they are not alone with it.
“I think maybe one day but as of now, I have to focus on myself and getting myself right before I can speak and try to advocate for those things.”
But after a stressful few years, Simone is feeling “pretty laid back” at the moment and is enjoying spending time with her family and friends, including boyfriend Jonathan Owens.
Asked how her state of mind has been recently, she said: “To be completely honest, pretty laid back. Not as busy as 2016, but the world is a very different place so I believe that’s also the reason for that. It’s been nice to decompress and be with my family, loved ones and friends.”
The Olympic medalist recently urged people to ask for help if they are struggling with their mental health, even though it isn’t an easy thing to do.
She said: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I know it’s not easy, but it really is helpful. And I know most of the time you’re scared, you might feel dumb. But as I have learned over the years, it’s OK to ask for help.
“Just remember, you’re also a person. I think even us as athletes tend to forget that because we’re only known as athletes and not valued as human beings. But it’s important to keep in contact with the human side of you.”
And Simone was relieved by the response she got after withdrawing from the Olympic events to preserve her mental health.
She said: “Over the years, obviously, since I’ve been so dominant everybody supports the gymnastics and praised me for what I’ve done in the gym and not really outside.
“Then once I took a step back, I obviously was expecting to feel a lot of backlash and embarrassment. But it’s the complete opposite. That’s the first time I felt human. Besides Simone Biles, I was Simone, and people kind of respected that.”
WENN – Aug 31, 2021 / 12:42 pm | Story: 344401
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Fashion Nova x Cardi B Collection Launch Party
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YouTube star Jake Paul has made a surprise announcement after his boxing victory against Tyron Woodley – it seems he’s quitting the sport.
Jake beat the former UFC champion via a split decision for their Sunday fight night (29Aug21) to maintain his perfect record in the ring, but he has indicated his competing days are over.
Paul tweeted on Monday, “Updated status: Retired boxer,” shortly after he’d written: “The Rock posted me on his Instagram I can retire now (sic)”.
The social media star had previously agreed to a rematch with his opponent but only if Woodley agrees to get an “I love Jake Paul” tattoo.
After his win, Paul said, “Get the tattoo and we will run it back. I’ve got a tattoo artist here! He needs to get a tattoo quickly or we will find another opponent. Put it on his Instagram. A permanent tattoo. Then we can talk about it.”
The former Bizaardvark star insisted he won the fight “convincingly” and had proved his critics wrong by maintaining his unbeaten record.
“I learned a lot tonight. First time going back past four minutes. First time in an eight-round fight. To be honest, I won convincingly. We’re gonna go back to the drawing board. I think I proved a lot tonight and proved a lot of people wrong.”
And Woodley had much more experience in combat sports.
“He has been boxing, striking, for 20 years. I’ve been doing it for three years,” Jake told BT Sport Box Office.
“It was tougher than I expected. He is a tough opponent. He put up a good fight. He hit me with one real shot in the whole fight.”
WENN – Aug 31, 2021 / 12:07 pm | Story: 344393
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45th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards 2018 Press Room held at the Pasadena Civic Center in Pasadena, California.
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Jeopardy! bosses have fired Mike Richards from his executive producer role, after the beleaguered executive stepped down from his new job as host.
Richards beat out fan favorites like actor LeVar Burton and former contestant Ken Jennings to the job as presenter of the program, after longtime beloved host Alex Trebek died in November (20).
But days after the announcement, an article in The Ringer detailed inappropriate comments about women, and Jewish and Asian people Mike shared on The Randumb Show, a podcast he hosted from 2013 to 2014, and on 20 August, Richards voluntarily stepped down as the new host of the popular quiz show, though he remained on staff as executive producer.
Now executives at Sony Pictures Television have sent him packing, and he’s also losing his producer role on another U.S. game show, Wheel of Fortune.
On Tuesday (31Aug21), Suzanne Prete, Executive Vice President of Business and Strategy for both programs, sent staff an internal memo announcing that Richards had been let go, effective immediately, Deadline reports.
Embassy Row boss Michael Davies will take over both shows in the interim.
In her memo, Prete wrote that despite Richards having surrendered his self-appointed hosting duties, the “disruption and internal difficulties” continued on Jeopardy!
Deadline also reports the controversial producer was “too compromised” and that he no longer had “internal or external support”.
Mayim Bialik, who was named earlier this month (Aug21) as host of the Jeopardy! primetime and spinoff series, will fill in as the regular emcee for at least the next three weeks.
WENN – Aug 30, 2021 / 10:02 am | Story: 344295
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Queen Elizabeth visits a pop-up store during the 150th anniversary of Sainsbury’s
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Queen Elizabeth’s helicopter was grounded after an in-flight emergency on the way to pick up Princess Anne.
The Sikorsky S-76 aircraft suffered a technical problem just minutes into the flight to Balmoral on Wednesday (25Aug21).
The pilots were forced to abort their trip to the Scottish estate, where The Princess Royal has been staying with the monarch on holiday, and return to Newcastle Airport. According to reports, the fault was still being worked on 24 hours later.
A royal insider told The Sun newspaper: “A safety-first approach was taken and it was flown back immediately for the technical fault to be fixed.
“There were no members of the royal family on the helicopter. Luckily, there was plenty of time to find alternative travel arrangements.”
Anne later took another helicopter flight in order to conduct three engagements in the Scottish town of Oban.
The Queen and other senior royals are regular passengers on the chopper, which is based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire. It is owned outright by the royal family and they also lease a similar aircraft.
WENN – Aug 30, 2021 / 10:01 am | Story: 344294
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***CPS ONLY***NOT FOR SALE***
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Carole Baskin has sold rival Joe Exotic’s zoo.
The animal rights campaigner ensured that the exotic animal park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, which she was awarded by a judge in 2020 as part of a trademark lawsuit settlement, will not be used as a zoo again, by including a special stipulation in the sale.
TMZ reports that Carole sold the property in June (21) to Francisco and Nelly Vazquez and, according to the paperwork, they are “expressly barred from using the land to house exotic animals of any kind – or as a zoo, wildlife park or menagerie – for 100 years”.
Additionally, the new owners cannot use any name related to Tiger King for any new business on the property.
Netflix’s Tiger King docu-series chronicled the bitter rivalry between Big Cat Rescue’s Carole and private zoo owner Joe.
Last year, a federal judge in the western district court of Oklahoma ruled that Joe previously fraudulently transferred the property to his mother, Shirley Schreibvogel, to avoid paying Carole a settlement in a trademark infringement lawsuit.
The zoo had been run by Joe’s former business partner Jeff Lowe since 2016 but he was given 120 days to vacate the property, including removing all of his animals housed there, before Carole seized control.
Exotic – whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage – is currently serving 22 years in prison for plotting to murder Carole.
WENN – Aug 30, 2021 / 10:01 am | Story: 344293
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Screenshot of Justin Bieber, latest post on social media., Credit:B4859 / Avalon
Photo: B4859 / Avalon
Justin Bieber has become the most listened to artist on Spotify – ever.
The Sorry hitmaker has broken the all-time record on the streaming platform and now has the most monthly listeners – 83.3 million.
The record was previously held by Ariana Grande, who had 82 million monthly listeners at her peak.
The Weeknd comes in second on the new list, with 74.5 million monthly listeners, and Ed Sheeran places third with 72.4 million.
WENN – Aug 30, 2021 / 10:00 am | Story: 344292
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54th Annual ACM Awards Arrivals at MGM Garden Arena Las Vegas, NV
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Jason Aldean has paid tribute to the security guard who saved his life during the 2017 Route 91 festival shooting in Las Vegas.
The singer was onstage when a shooter overlooking the site opened fire on fans, forcing Aldean to cut his set short and run for cover.
Ryan ‘Rhino’ Fleming put his own life at risk to make sure the star got to safety.
“Man this is a hard post to write,” Aldean posted on Instagram. “We lost one of our boys today.
“He was the person who pulled me offstage during the Route 91 shooting and put his life in danger to take care of me and my crew.”
Aldean also posted an image of himself leaning on the shoulder of Fleming, his lifelong friend.
60 people were killed during the shooting on the Las Vegas Strip.
“He was a good man and an even better friend,” Aldean added. “He was a bouncer at our favorite bar in Macon when he was 18, then went to work for the Sheriffs dept as he got older. When it came time for me to hire a security guy that I knew would always look out for me and my family, there was no question for me that person was Rhino.”
Jason did not reveal the cause of his friend’s death.
WENN – Aug 30, 2021 / 10:00 am | Story: 344291
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American rapper Kanye West has expanded his partnership with adidas to launch the adidas + Kanye West collection, a Yeezy branded entity. The range features unisex footwear, apparel and accessories for street and sport wear, and West commented ‘
Kanye West has taken aim at his record label bosses, accusing them of releasing his much-delayed new album Donda without his permission.
After three public listening parties, Donda hit the Apple Music and Spotify platforms early on Sunday morning (29Aug21), and in a series of social media messages overnight, Kanye’s manager, Bu Thiam, blamed fellow rapper DaBaby’s aides for the most recent release hold-up, explaining they hadn’t signed the necessary paperwork to clear his verse for new song Jail.
Instead, JAY-Z appears on the track.
JAY-Z featured on the tune when Kanye played it at his first listening party event in Atlanta, Georgia. DaBaby replaced the 99 Problems star on the track when West staged his most recent bash in his native Chicago, Illinois on Thursday night (26Aug21).
West’s manager, Bu Thiam, attempted to explain the latest delay in an Instagram post on Sunday, stating DaBaby’s manager hadn’t given clearance for Jail to be included on the album.
“We won’t be able to Upload unless we take him off,” Thiam confirmed.
Kanye responded by insisting he was “not taking my brother off”, adding: “So the album is not coming out… God gotta bigger plan.”
But the album dropped regardless, with many fans believing Kanye had changed his mind.
The rapper took to Twitter on Sunday afternoon to vent his frustrations about the release, and made it clear he wanted to wait for clearance from DaBaby’s management.
“Universal put my album out without my approval and they blocked ‘Jail 2’ from being on the album,” he wrote.
Donda, named after West’s late mother, was initially set for release on 23 July.
Fans who jumped on the album when it was finally released to streaming sites were quick to note Kanye appears to be badmouthing his estranged wife Kim on several tracks, including Jail.
“Don’t you curse at me on text/Why you try to hit the flex?/I hold up, like, What?/I scroll, I scroll up like, Next, guess who’s getting exed?” he raps on the track, before implying she made a mistake in filing for divorce from him in February (21).
“You made a choice that’s yo bad/Single life ain’t so bad,” he continues, adding in another song, Believe What I Say, “I ain’t never question what you was askin’ for/I gave you every single thing you was askin’ for/I don’t understand how anybody could ask for more.”
Devotees also seemed most impressed by the Donda track Believe What I Say, which features a sample of Lauryn Hill’s Doo Wop (That Thing). Kanye previously sampled Hill on his 2004 hit All Falls Down.
WENN – Aug 30, 2021 / 9:59 am | Story: 344290
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E! People’s Choice Awards 2019 – Arrivals held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.
Photo: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com
Khloe Kardashian has slammed those making up “fake news” about her personal life in an impassioned Twitter rant.
The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star feels “terrorized” by false rumors spreading online about her, though she did not pinpoint the nature of the speculation.
She began: “HA! some of y’all really just make up anything and swear it’s the truth as if you know what’s going on. The truth is never good enough” or juicy enough. So you create a narrative that fits what you choose to believe.”
In another tweet, she said: “It is so old at this point. It’s always something about people creating fake s**t about me and actually terrorizing me about something THEY ARE CREATING. Without anyone knowing any facts. It’s some weirdo s**t.”
She went on: “It’s pathetic but also infuriating all at the same time. People coming at me as if they know anything. It’s outrageous how people feel they have the right to spread such trash and lies about other people. They do it so many people and it’s terrible.”
Seemingly referring to being accused of photoshopping her thighs and waist in a recent Instagram snap, the Good American co-founder – who has three-year-old daughter, True, with Tristan Thompson – hit back: “Facts!!!! Because they give so many other people a different type of grace and understanding.
“I get critiqued and judged for any f**king thing. I guess I got to start snapping a little more.”
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