Dame Judi Dench Styles for British Vogue Magazine!
Dame Judi Dench covers the June 2020 issue of British Vogue Magazine photographed by Nick Knight and styled by Kate Phelan.
On top of the nationwide lockdown, she – by dint of her age, if not her moxie, and like some 10 million others in Britain – has embarked on an even longer stretch of imposed self-isolation: “I am sure I feel like everyone else, such unprecedented times are quite hard to comprehend,” she explains from her home, with its tree-filled gardens, where she has lived for more than 35 years. Her panic is for people who don’t have what she has. “What is a good thing is that it has made people aware of the predicament of others who are completely alone,” she says, thoughtfully. “If a great deal of kindness comes out of this, then that will be a plus.”
Dench – who had “Carpe diem” inscribed on her wrist (her first tattoo) on her 81st birthday – has been refreshingly open about her feelings towards ageing: “I don’t like it at all,” she tells Vogue features director Giles Hattersley in the June issue. “I don’t think about it. I don’t want to think about it. They say age is an attitude…it’s horrible.”
But how do you feel about retirement, I ask casually. Immediately, it is as if the sun has gone behind a cloud: “No, no, no, no. Don’t use that word, Giles. Not in this house. Not here. Wash your mouth out!” Her voice becomes its most electric to quote Dylan Thomas. “Rage, rage against the dying of the light,” she booms, with all the skill and force of her RSC days.
Style Credits:
Cover: Dolce&Gabbana Trench Coat
Image: La Collection Dress | Armani Privé Coat
Hair by Sam McKnight
Makeup by Val Garland
#RHOA: Fans Asks Kandi Burruss Why are you Aren’t Isn’t This Vocal with Your Mom?
Kandi Burruss didn’t appear to be a fan favorite during part one of the virtual “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” reunion. The Bravo special, which aired on Sunday, May 10, definitely stirred up some buzz on the internet. Burruss fired off on her fellow co-stars, causing fans to want her to use that same energy toward her mother, Mama Joyce. Mama Joyce, who has been feuding with Burruss’ husband, Todd Tucker, throughout the past few seasons, has yet to apologize to the couple for purposefully missing their baby shower.
During the season, Nene Leakes and Porsha Williams rekindled their friendship, but Burruss expressed at the reunion that she did not feel their friendship was authentic. Burruss explained that Leakes bashed Williams during Williams’ pregnancy and didn’t understand how the two could be genuine friends. While Burruss may have her mind on the relationships of other castmates, fans believe the mother of three could focus a bit more on mending the relationship between her mother and her husband.
On the season 12 finale of the reality show, Mama Joyce did not attend Burruss’ and Tucker’s baby shower because she was angry at Tucker. Burruss and her mother went out for breakfast on the day of the event. Tucker came into the restaurant with his friend, but opted to not speak to Mama Joyce — causing Mama Joyce to feel disrespected by Tucker’s antics.
A few weeks prior to the incident, Mama Joyce told Burruss that she did not think Tucker would take care of Burruss’ daughter, Riley Burruss, wholeheartedly if something were to happen to the both of them. Mama Joyce listed Riley as her beneficiary since Burruss had Riley from a prior relationship. Burruss told Tucker about her mother’s actions, and Tucker was upset with his mother-in-law.
Fans seemed to believe that Burruss needed to check her mother for the way she treated Tucker instead of voicing her opinion about Williams’ and Leakes’ friendship at the reunion.
Mama Joyce never appeared to care for Tucker, claiming that Tucker is living off Burruss’ finances. Tucker, a former producer of “RHOA,” tried to apologize to Mama Joyce over the telephone for ignoring her at the restaurant. Burruss’ mother never answered his phone call.
Part 2 of the virtual “RHOA” reunion will air on Sunday, May 17, at 8 p.m. EST on Bravo.
#NewMusicVideo from India Arie “Welcome Home”!
Songbird India Arie presents fans with a long form film called “Welcome Home”. She was inspired to do the project to help calm the nation and bring focus to wellness, peace, tranquility, and calmness during the current pandemic.
The film combines visual elements from singles “Crazy” and “Sacred Space,” which were both included on her most recently released album “Worthy”.
“Welcome Home” features actors Lyriq Bent and Mustafa Shakir, with narrations from Rev. Michael B. Beckwith on both.
The visual captures India Arie among the peaceful Commune Topanga grounds inside of the remote valley of the Santa Monica mountains. She puts her wellness practices on display including yoga, meditation, and art therapy.
A longtime wellness advocate and teacher, India has always used her music as a vessel for thought-provoking lyrics and mindful meditation. Her authenticity, awareness, and conscious-raising experience lift the world to a more spiritual awakening.
WATCH
“Welcome Home” releases in conjunction with the launch of the #worthyandwell campaign, a partnership between Arie and media platform, The Big We. The #worthyandwell campaign celebrates the release of “Welcome Home” with a series of online content and events where India will share stories about the film making process and her own wellness practices.
#worthyandwell will culminate in a week-long virtual wellness series (May 25-31) called, “The Wellness of We”. The series will feature daily practice videos and live conversations with a range of wellness practitioners and advocates from around the country, including Arie herself, for talks designed to advance collective well being and community care.
#HipHopNews: Snoop Dogg Thinks He Should Be JAY-Z's Verzuz Challenger!
Snoop Dogg is stepping up to the plate as a potential Verzuz challenger for JAY-Z. On the heels of DMX calling out Hov for a battle, the D-O-Double-G contends he’s the appropriate opponent for an Instagram Live clash with the Roc Nation boss.
During an interview with Fat Joe, Snoop explained why — in his mind — he’s the best competition for Hov in Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s Verzuz battle series.
“Nas was on the rise with [Jay], so it was never like who is the one-one,” he said. “And then Biggie passed away and then Nas had it for a minute And then JAY-Z took it and ran with it for a numerous amount of years. And then 50 Cent came and ran with it for a numerous amount of years.
“This is me looking in from the outside, looking at New York rap. So to me, it would be either Snoop versus JAY-Z because he has been the king of New York around the time I was the king of the west.”
Joe agreed with Snoop and noted Jay’s a more fitting opponent for the West Coast legend than 50 Cent, who floated the idea of battling Snoop in an interview with Big Boy’s Neighborhood. But Joey Crack had some doubts about Hov ever competing in a Verzuz battle.
“That sounds like the ultimate battle: Snoop Dogg against JAY-Z,” he said. “Now, I don’t know if JAY-Z will do it because he’s kinda like Dr. Dre. JAY-Z, we love him, but JAY-Z [is an] introvert, quiet. But Snoop Dogg, JAY-Z … I’m not taking nothing away 50, but I just know that when you’re both GOATS down and you gotta swim ashore, it’s a long swim. Snoop Dogg been doing this [for] 25 years.”
Snoop added, “Been swimming since ’92!”
So far, Swizz and Timbaland have been able to stage battles between massive stars in their Verzuz arena. DJ Premier versus RZA, Babyface versus Teddy Riley and Erykah Badu versus Jill Scott have all pulled in big audiences, but Hov could take the Instagram Live showdowns to another level if he’s willing to partake.
Snoop and DMX have thrown their hats in the ring as potential opponents for Hov, so the competition is there if he wants it. But like Dr. Dre, it may be a difficult task to convince him to participate.
Lady Gaga, Madonna & More Stars Had Their Data Stolen by Hackers!
There’s been a major leak among superstars, including Lady Gaga and Madonna.
A hacker group stole data from several acts, including Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Bruce Springsteen and Nicki Minaj, Variety confirmed on Monday (May 11) with New York-based media and entertainment law firm Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks.
“We can confirm that we’ve been victimized by a cyberattack. We have notified our clients and our staff. We have hired the world’s experts who specialize in this area, and we are working around the clock to address these matters,” they said in a statement.
The information stolen included contracts, nondisclosure agreements, email addresses, phone numbers and private correspondence. The news first arose once Madonna‘s Madame X Tour contract suddenly surfaced on dark web forums last weekend “to show the hack was real.”
“It’s evidently a ransomware attack, in which cybercriminals use the threat of releasing the stolen data as leverage to extort payment. It is not known what demands the hackers have made in connection with the theft of Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks data,” Variety reported
Tyler Perry Will Open Studio & Resume Filming In Atlanta!
According to reports, Tyler Perry is moving forward with restarting TV production amidst the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, the 50-year-old director is gearing open to begin filming in July.
As previously reported, last month, Tyler Perry detailed his plans of potentially opening his Tyler Perry Studios. He later detailed his plans explaining:
“Last week, I took 100 of my essential employees — including security guards and gardeners at the studio — and we did a test with a private lab. Thank God, out of the 100 essential workers, all tested negative. My goal is to find a path forward to protect both the health and the livelihoods of my cast and crew.”He continued:“It takes me 2 1/2 weeks to shoot a season of 22 episodes, and all of my shows are shot on the lot — we never leave the lot for anything anyway. So everything is already there.”
Now, according to new reports, in July he will begin production for his series, Sistas.
After completing the production for Sistas, he will reportedly begin production for his series The Oval.
Both will be done in Atlanta. Reportedly every person involved with production will be tested and will remain on the lot for the entire duration of the shoot. Housing will also be provided.
What are your thoughts on Tyler Perry’s plans?
‘Hamilton’ Course Change: Disney Sets July 3 Streaming Release For $75 Million Lin-Manuel Miranda Musical!
BURBANK, Calif. The Walt Disney Company, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jeffrey Seller and Thomas Kail are pleased to announce that Disney+ will fast track the premiere of the filmed version of the original Broadway production of “Hamilton,” bringing the 11-time-Tony Award®-, GRAMMY Award®-, Olivier Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning stage musical to homes around the world on July 3, 2020.
Producers for “Hamilton,” the film of the original Broadway production, include Miranda, Seller, and Kail, who also directs.
The film is a leap forward in the art of “live capture” which transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way. Combining the best elements of live theater, film, and streaming, the result is a cinematic stage performance that is a wholly new way to experience “Hamilton.”
“No other artistic work in the last decade has had the cultural impact of ‘Hamilton’—an inspiring and captivating tale told and performed in a powerfully creative way. In light of the extraordinary challenges facing our world, this story about leadership, tenacity, hope, love and the power of people to unite against the forces of adversity is both relevant and impactful,” said Robert A. Iger, Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company. “We are thrilled to bring this phenomenon to Disney+ on the eve of Independence Day, and we have the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda and the team behind ‘Hamilton’ to thank for allowing us to do so more than a year before planned.”
“I’m so proud of how beautifully Tommy Kail has brought ‘Hamilton’ to the screen. He’s given everyone who watches this film the best seat in the house,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda. “I’m so grateful to Disney and Disney+ for reimagining and moving up our release to July 4th weekend of this year, in light of the world turning upside down. I’m so grateful to all the fans who asked for this, and I’m so glad that we’re able to make it happen. I’m so proud of this show. I can’t wait for you to see it.”
Filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016, “Hamilton” features Tony Award® winners Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Tony Award nominees Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jonathan Groff as King George; Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.
The cast also includes Carleigh Bettiol, Ariana DeBose, Hope Easterbrook, Sydney James Harcourt, Sasha Hutchings, Thayne Jasperson, Elizabeth Judd, Jon Rua, Austin Smith, Seth Stewart and Ephraim Sykes.
Anderson Cooper Reveals Why He Asked His Ex To Help Raise His Newborn Son!
Anderson Cooper said Tuesday that he has decided to co-parent his new son with ex boyfriend Benjamin Maisani, and declared that his friends have become his family.
The CNN host told Howard Stern on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show that he has remained close enough to his former flame, Benjamin Maisani, whom he dated for a decade, that he asked him to help raise Wyatt Morgan.
“Don’t you want a clean break from this guy? I mean this was a guy, you were in love, you had a close relationship, why have him involved?” Stern, 66, asked.
“I don’t really have a family, so my friends have become my family. This is somebody I was involved with for 10 years,” Cooper, 52, answered.
“He’s a great guy,” Cooper said of Maisani, 47, and why they’re co-parenting Wyatt together.
Anderson Cooper says ex Benjamin Maisani will be a co-parent to son Wyatt
“We didn’t work out as a couple, but … when I was a little kid, it was just my mom and my brother, but it was my mom — she was not the most parental person and I wish some adult after my dad died had stepped in and just been like, ‘You know what, I’ll take you to a ball game,'” he said.
“Or, ‘Let’s go out to lunch every now and then, and let’s just talk.’ You know, no one ever did that and so I thought, well if something happens to me or even if something doesn’t happen to me, if more people love my son and are in his life, I’m all for that.”
“You know, my ex is a great guy, and I think it’s good to have two parents if you can.”
Cooper added that while he plans on going by “Dad” or “Daddy” by Wyatt, Maisani, 47 who speaks French to him will be called “Papa.”
Cooper told Stern he has no idea what Maisani says to Wyatt in French, “He could be turning the kid against me, I don’t know.”
Karamo Brown Re-Propose After His Wedding Is Canceled!
Sometimes, it's second time's the charm.Queer Eye's Karamo Brown recently revealed that he re-proposed to his fiancé, Ian Jordan. The couple has been together for eight years, with the Netflix star proposing back in May 2018.
Brown popped the big question during a surprise 40th birthday party for Jordan.
"Tonight, with the help of my sons, I asked the love of my life to marry me and he said YESSSS," the Queer Eye star told E! News at the time of the engagement. "He is my today, tomorrow and everything!"
The pair were getting ready to walk down the aisle but had to hit the pause button due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Despite their wedding plans being put on hold, Karamo made sure to do something extra special for his partner's birthday.
He popped the big question a second time! "I'm Engaged... Again! During this Quarantine I have fallen even deeper in love w/ my fiancé @theianjordan," the reality TV personality shared, with a heartwarming video.
He added, "So on his bday / which is also our anniversary I proposed again. Our wedding has been canceled/postponed like so many other people but I still wanted to celebrate our love."
Before signing off, he wrote, "I love you Sugah!
As if the proposal wasn't sweet and special enough, Karamo revealed that he also bought Ian another engagement ring. Swoon!
The Queer Eye star explained that his fiancé lost his ring so he replaced it with a new one.
"I decided to ask you if you'll marry me again," Karamo said, getting down on one knee and putting the ring on his partner's finger. "And it fits!"
Of the heartfelt moment, the Netflix star's fans and friends couldn't contain their excitement over the news.
"AWW, CUTE," Tan France responded. Vanderpump Rules alum Billie Lee wrote, "And I'm crying. Oh my god! Congrats a million times. Your love inspires me so much."
6ix9ine's $200,000 Donation to No Kid Hungry Declined!
A nonprofit feeding hungry kids has turned down a $200,000 donation from rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine.
No Kid Hungry, which works to solve problems of hunger and poverty around the world, announced it was declining the donation just hours after Tekashi 6ix9ine, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, announced he was giving the gift.
The rapper said on Instagram that he made the donation in an effort to help hungry families during the coronavirus pandemic, urging his fanbase to "NEVER forget the children & families who depend on OUR PUBLIC schools for daily meals and nutritions to keep our future leaders growing to their best potential."
In a statement to Insider, a spokesperson for No Kid Hungry confirmed the organization had turned down Hernandez's donation.
"We are grateful for Mr. Hernandez's generous offer to donate to No Kid Hungry but we have informed his representatives that we have declined this donation," the statement said. "As a child-focused campaign, it is our policy to decline funding from donors whose activities do not align with our mission and values."
Hernandez voiced disappointment over the donation being turned down in a now-deleted Instagram post, saying: "@nokidhungry rather take food out the mouth of these innocent children I never seen something so cruel."
Tekashi 6ix9ine deleted his Instagram post where he called the nonprofit "cruel." 6ix9ine/Instagram
The rapper was recently released from prison into home confinement after his lawyer said he was at a higher risk for COVID-19 symptoms because of his asthma.
He's months away from finishing his two-year sentence after pleading guilty to several crimes related to his involvement with the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods gang. He was given 13 months time-served and, thanks to good behavior, his sentence is set to end by August.
But even prior to his stint in prison, Hernandez has been controversial for allegedly beating his ex-girlfriend Sara Molina and his involvement in a child sex case.
Hernandez showed off his ankle bracelet in the "Gooba" video. Tekashi 6ix9ine/YouTube
Last week, he released a music video for his new song "GOOBA" and held an Instagram live in which he suggested he has no regrets about betraying the Nine Trey Gansta Bloods gang and cooperating with prosecutors.
Hernandez signed a $10 million record deal while in prison, and the $200,000 he planned to donate to No Kid Hungry was believed to be part of $2 million he received in profits from "GOOBA" and related merchandise he promoted on Instagram, according to TMZ.
Hernandez's lawyer, Lance Lazzaro, didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment
BET Moving Ahead With Andre Harrell’s Uptown Records Miniseries Following His Death!
A miniseries about the rise of the late Andre Harrell’s Uptown Records is still in the works and moving ahead at BET following the veteran music executive’s death. But with production throughout the television business shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, no premiere date or timetable for the start of shooting has been set.
“We are mourning the loss of a cultural icon, Andre Harrell, a chief architect of the modern hip-hop and R&B sound,” BET president Scott Mills said in a statement. “Andre was tremendously excited about sharing the origin story of Uptown Records, and its pivotal role in the urban music landscape. With his tragic passing, BET is committed to ensuring that the Uptown limited series event tells both the Uptown story and Andre’s story — that of the incredible music innovator, man and friend to so many.”
In December, BET ordered “Uptown,” a three-part miniseries about record label Harrell founded in 1986 and which helped launch the careers hip-hop artists such as Heavy D & The Boyz, Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen, Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Father MC, Al B. Sure, Christopher Williams, Teddy Riley, Notorious B.I.G., and Sean “Diddy” Combs. Harrell was set to serve as an executive producer on the miniseries alongside Jesse Collins of Jesse Collins Entertainment, with Charles Murray, Carlito Rodriguez and Barry Michael Cooper writing the scripts. Production on the miniseries, which was initially slated to premiere sometime in 2020, had not started prior to the industry-wide shutdown that began in March.
Harrell was reported to have died Thursday night at his home in West Hollywood, Calif. His ex-wife, Wendy Credle, told the New York Times that Harrell died of heart failure.
Broadway Actor Nick Cordero Emerges From Coma, His Wife Says!
Kloots said Cordero’s doctor relayed that the actor is still weak but is responding to commands at Los Angeles Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
But early this month, Kloots said Cordero was doing well after undergoing a tracheostomy.
In recent days, she said he was progressing. On Tuesday, the news arrived that he was awake.
“It is finally confirmed,” Kloots said in the stream.
“SCOOB!” To Skip Theaters And Go Straight To Digital!
In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, many of the Hollywood blockbusters that were set to debut in theaters this year are having to rethink their theatrical releases. Trolls World Tour, produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures, set a new precedent as they too decided to release the sequel to the 2016 hit, Trolls, digitally on April 10th. The film broke digital rental records, catching the attention of many studios as a result of their success.
Well, Warner Bros. Studios is following suit and skipping theaters, going straight to digital on May 15th with the release of the new Scooby-Doo animated flick.
“While we’re all eager to be able to once again show our films in theaters, we’re navigating new, unprecedented times which call for creative thinking and adapting in how we distribute our content,” Warner Bros. chair and CEO Ann Sarnoff said in a statement. “We know fans are eager to see SCOOB! and we’re delighted we can deliver this feel-good movie for families to enjoy while they’re home together.”
WATCH
This is the first full-length animated Scooby-Doo mystery to hit the big screen, and when it does, we will find out all about Scooby-Doo and the gang’s origins. SCOOB! will reveal how friends Scooby and Shaggy first met and how they joined the gang to form Mystery Inc. But, of course this wouldn’t be a Scooby Doo movie without true mystery to solve. The gang will try and stop the global “dogpocalypse,” in the midst of finding out that Scooby is destined for greatness.
SCOOB! will star Frank Welker as Scooby-Doo, Will Forte as Shaggy, Zac Efron as Fred, Gina Rodriguez as Velma, Amanda Seyfried as Daphne, Kiersey Clemons as Dee Dee, Jason Isaacs as Dick Dastardly, Ken Jeong as Dynomutt, Tracy Morgan as Captain Caveman, and Mark Wahlberg as Blue Falcon. Younger characters in the movie will be voiced by Ariana Greenblatt as Young Velma, Iain Armitage as Young Shaggy, Pierce Gagnon as Young Fred, and McKenna Grace as Young Daphne. SCOOB! is directed by Tony Cervone.
’90 Day Fiance’ Star Jorge Nava Released From Prison After Serving Nearly 2 Years!
A free man! 90 Day Fiancé star Jorge Nava has been released from prison after serving almost two years on felony marijuana possession and distribution charges.
Celebrity Mugshots
“The sky is the limit,” the former reality TV star captioned three photos of himself sitting on a white sportscar on Tuesday, May 12, along with the prayer hands emoji and the hashtag #freedom.
Nava was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison after he was caught with nearly 300 pounds of marijuana in his car. He began serving his sentence in September 2018 at Arizona State Prison Complex and was released several months earlier than his original release date in August.
The TLC personality had been working on his fitness behind bars and revealed his massive weight loss of 128 pounds via Instagram in March. Nava said he shed the weight with a combination of diet and exercise. His daily food plan includes counting calories and intermittent fasting, but the California native made sure not to deprive himself.
“I actually do a lot of the eating [from the food] that they do give us [in prison],” Nava explained to In Touch in April. “But sometimes I do indulge [on the commissary items] and have a cheat day.”
As for his workout regimen, Nava admitted that fitness has become “almost like an addiction” for him while he’s been serving his time.
“Yeah, I actually started working out with other people that have been training and doing bodybuilding and stuff,” Nava said. “So, I have pretty good coaches in here.”
Nava appeared on season 4 of 90 Day Fiancé in 2016 with his wife, Anfisa Arkhipchenko, whom he met on Facebook. Nava’s rep confirmed to Us Weekly in March that he plans to file for divorce from the Russia native, 24.
The reality star thinks Arkhipchenko was uncomfortable when he shared his massive weight loss on social media.
“I think she was just jealous of the attention that I was getting. The news about my weight loss didn’t sit with her very well,” he also told In Touch.
Arkhipchenko, for her part, has moved on with her boyfriend, Leo Assaf. The model went Instagram official with her new beau in March with a selfie captioned, “Quarantine and chill?”
Nava shared that being in prison made his marriage “very difficult.”
“One of the first things I had to deal with was leaving my family and leaving my relationship behind. That was hard,” Nava said during an April episode of 90 Day Fiancé: Self-Quarantined. “The last time I saw Anfisa was the day before I got incarcerated. The night before I came to prison, we had an argument and things were not going well.”
He added, “I thought I was going to try to make things work, and they didn’t. That was it. Probably about two months after I was in prison, she basically told me that she couldn’t be with me anymore. She wishes I got 12 years in prison, basically trying to get rid of me. We still talked on the phone. I tried to work on the relationship no matter what. I tried.
Broadway Shutdown Extended Through Labor Day!
It’s the third extension, after the original targeted date to end the closures, April 12, was pushed back to June 7. Broadway performances were suspended on March 12, prompting the longest period of time the Great White Way has been dark.
However, Tuesday’s announcement was unsurprising since New York City has been hit especially hard by the global health crisis. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has put arts, entertainment and recreation in the last phase of his plans to reopen the state.
It’s unclear when Broadway performances will be able to resume, theater trade organization Broadway League said. For now, venues are offering refunds and exchanges for tickets purchased for performances through Sept. 6.
“While all Broadway shows would love to resume performances as soon as possible, we need to ensure the health and well-being of everyone who comes to the theater — behind the curtain and in front of it — before shows can return,” said Broadway League president Charlotte St. Martin in a statement on Tuesday. “The Broadway League’s membership is working in cooperation with the theatrical unions, government officials and health experts to determine the safest ways to restart our industry.”
The Broadway League said the group is working with city and state officials to determine when it will be safe to resume performances. Broadway, as an industry, is particularly in jeopardy because patrons tend to skew older and it relies heavily on tourism.
“Throughout this challenging time, we have been in close communication with Governor Cuomo’s office and are grateful for his support and leadership as we work together to bring back this vital part of New York City’s economy — and spirit,” St. Martin said.
At the time of closures, 31 musicals and plays were running, while eight new shows were in preview and another eight were preparing to debut in the spring.
Actors’ Equity Association, the labor union representing professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, said safety measures need to be implemented before Broadway can reopen.
“Today the Broadway League took a difficult but necessary action to put the safety of everyone from the audience to the actors and stage managers first,” Mary McColl, executive director of Actors’ Equity Association, said in a statement. “Before our members can safely return to work, we will need new protocols that protect audiences and workers alike.”
Variety reported last week that the 2020 Tony Awards, celebrating the year’s best onstage productions, will potentially be canceled. Since the future of Broadway remains a question mark, discussions by the committee that plans the annual awards show have reportedly come to a “standstill.
Scooter Braun Hints Taylor Swift Feud Kept Him From Pursuing Public Office!
Scooter Braun’s feud with Taylor Swift has had a lasting effect on him.
Braun, the music exec previously best known for discovering Justin Bieber, has had a public back and forth with the singer since June, when his company bought her former label, Big Machine Records, and became the new owner of many of her hit songs. After an unhappy Swift publicly called out Braun and label founder Scott Borchetta on the sale, Braun said he and his family faced death threats from angry fans.
The experience shook him so much, in fact, that he’s rethinking his long-term plans of going into politics.
“Public office is something I’ve thought about in the past, but only because I get very frustrated by a lack of leadership. The reason I have shied away from it is because I have young children and I have to be careful...” Braun told British GQ in an interview published May 8. “Recently I was attacked very publicly by someone I don’t know, someone who refused to have a conversation with me, and I wish that person nothing but the best and hope that one day a dialogue is had, because I think it all could have been avoided with proper dialogue.
“But what it did teach me was that if my children were teenagers, if they were a little bit older, this could have been very hard for them,” he said. “And I don’t know if I’m comfortable being in public office knowing the amount of ridicule and exposure you get and I don’t know if I want to put my children through that. So right now I’m trying to do the best I can from the private sector.”
Although Braun never mentioned Swift by name, he pleaded with the “Lover” singer to sit down and have a discussion with him in November, just before her much-anticipated performance at the American Music Awards. She had told fans that her former record label was preventing her from singing her old songs on the night she was being presented with the very first Artist of the Decade Award. Big Machine argued that Swift could always perform her own songs live.
TMZ reported in August 2017 that Braun had been approached by Democratic fundraisers in California to run for that state’s governorship.
He and his wife, Yael Cohen, share three young children.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘BACK IN TIME’
You’ve heard of Back to the Future, I think this is Forward to the Past.
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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