by tyler | May 8, 2023 | CNN, entertainment
Actor Richard Dreyfuss is not a fan of the Academy Awards’ new diversity guidelines.
Officials announced in 2020 that beginning in 2024, movies must meet certain criteria for representation to be eligible for the Academy Award for best picture.
Films have to meet at least two of four benchmarks, which cover – among other things – whether the lead actors are from underrepresented groups or if at least 30% of the cast and crew come from these groups.
Dreyfuss told Margaret Hoover during an interview Friday on the PBS series “Firing Line” that such rules “make me vomit.”
When Hoover asked him why, the actor said, “Because this is an art form.”
“It’s also a form of commerce and it makes money,” the actor said. “But it’s an art. And no one should be telling me as an artist that I have to give into the latest, most current idea of what morality is.”
The inclusion standards were enacted in an attempt to address inequality in the industry, which gave rise to the #OscarsSoWhite movement in 2015.
“I don’t think that there is a minority or a majority in this country that has to be catered to like that,” Dreyfuss went on to say during the interview.
He then cited a bit of a history regarding Laurence Olivier being “the last white actor to play Othello,” referring to the 1965 film, in which the British actor performed in blackface
Dreyfuss praised the performance, saying Olivier played the role “brilliantly.”
“Am I being told that I will never have a chance to play a Black man?” Dreyfuss said. “Is someone else being told that if they’re not Jewish they shouldn’t play the Merchant of Venice? Are we crazy? Do we not know that art is art?”
Hoover pushed back, asking if there’s “a difference between the question of representation and who is allowed to represent other groups … and the case of blackface, given the history of slavery and the sensitives around black racism?”
Dreyfuss said, “There shouldn’t be.”
“Because it’s patronizing,” he said. “Because it says that we’re so fragile that we can’t have our feelings hurt.”
CNN has contacted reps for Dreyfuss for further comment but has not yet received a response.
by tyler | May 8, 2023 | CNN, entertainment
Jamie Foxx was hospitalized weeks ago but there’s still not much publicly known.
Anyone who has followed Jamie Foxx’s career closely, however, shouldn’t be surprised by that.
In April, Foxx was transported to the hospital via an emergency vehicle in Atlanta, Georgia, where he had been filming the Netflix movie, “Back in Action.”
CNN has reached out to reps for Foxx multiple times for information on both what happened and the actor’s status, and has been unable to get additional details from them.
There has been practically no information released other than his family initially asking for privacy and a post last week on Foxx’s verified social media account.
“Appreciate all the love!!!” the post reads.“Feeling blessed.”
The desire for privacy is in keeping with how the “Ray” star has always lived, despite a career that puts him in the spotlight.
A perusal of interviews with Foxx over the years yields plenty of information about his thoughts on his roles, a multitude of jokes, some information about his childhood and very little insight into his actual personal life.
Foxx reportedly dated fellow superstar Katie Holmes, the ex-wife of Tom Cruise, for half a dozen years – a relationship neither ever confirmed on the record despite being photographed over the years during what appeared to be romantic dates or moments where they were affectionate with one another.
In 2016, former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” cast member Claudia Jordan appeared to confirm Foxx and Holmes were dating during a podcast appearance saying, “He is very happy with her. I like that he seems very happy.”
Jordan later clarified her comments, telling “Entertainment Tonight” she “misspoke.”
“I have no knowledge of Jamie with Katie at all,” she said. “I’ve never seen them together.”
Two years later, Foxx was being interviewed by SportsCenter host Michael Smith about participating in an NBA celebrity basketball game when Smith asked the star, “Did you and Katie Holmes play basketball for Valentine’s Day? Like some real Love & Basketball?”
Foxx abruptly ended the interview by taking off his headset and walking away.
Foxx and Holmes reportedly split in 2019.
So the silence surrounding Foxx’s “medical complication,” to use his family’s words initially, seems in keeping with how the performer conducts himself.
Celebrities have handled such situations in a variety of ways, from Jeremy Reiner’s very public recuperation following being run over by a snow plow to Chadwick Boseman’s colon cancer diagnosis not becoming public until after the “Black Panther” actor’s death.
Those who know Foxx have been circumspect when they do talk about his current state.
During an interview on the “Impaulsive” podcast released last week, Kevin Hart said he was “fortunate” to have a close enough friendship with Foxx that he can check on him.
Hart said Foxx is “getting better” and also touched on why not much has been shared about him publicly from Foxx’s inner circle.
“They’re being tight for reasons just about where he is because Jamie’s always been a private person to a certain degree,” Hart said.
Fox network has announced that that Nick Cannon will be filling in as guest host on “Beat Shazam,” a musical game show that Foxx hosts with his daughter, Corinne.
by tyler | May 8, 2023 | CNN, entertainment
Christina Applegate says she’s done with on-camera work while she is living with multiple sclerosis.
The “Dead to Me” actress told Vanity Fair that her time on that hit Netflix series is probably her last and that she loved working with co-star Linda Cardellini.
“I’m probably not going to work on-camera again,” Applegate said.
“Ping-pong is so much more fun when the other person is just as good as you are,” she added, referring to working with Cardellini. “I’m so glad that I went out with someone who is by far the greatest actress I’ve ever worked with in my entire life, if not the greatest human I’ve ever known.”
Applegate was diagnosed with MS in August 2021.
The disease affects the central nervous system and muscle control. She had been filming “Dead to Me” and the show paused production so she could start treatment.
Applegate added that she will miss the show, telling Vanity Fair that she loves her coworkers and crew, but that the past year has been a “struggle.”
“I miss the experience of it, but at the same time, because it was such an incredible struggle this last year, I’m relieved that I no longer have to push so hard to get through my day,” she said.
by tyler | May 8, 2023 | CNN, entertainment
It was a royal night to remember: A magnificent coronation concert staged in the grounds of Windsor Castle, capping a day of street parties and community lunch events across the UK on Sunday in celebration of King Charles III.
A huge roar erupted from the flag-waving 20,000-strong crowd as the newly-crowned King and Queen took their seats in the royal box to watch a star-studded ensemble.
It was an enthusiastically patriotic display that will go down as a highlight of the bank holiday weekend of celebrations in honor of “the artist formerly known as Prince,” as host and “Downton Abbey” star Hugh Bonneville quipped.
The glorious line-up was certainly fit for a King – complete with global superstars, classical music maestros and performers from around the Commonwealth – delighting a buzzing audience from a fabulous Union Jack flag-shaped stage.
Here’s a look back at all the best bits:
The Prince of Wales paid a heartfelt homage to his father during the festivities, saying: “Pa, we are all so proud of you.”
Energetic cheers broke out as Prince William walked out on stage. He opened his speech on a humorous note, promising the crowd that unlike concert performer Lionel Richie, he wouldn’t “go on all night long.”
William said he wanted to say a few words about why he thought the weekend’s celebrations were important, recalling what his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, said when she was crowned.
“Coronations are a declaration of our hopes for the future,” the prince said. “I know she’s up there fondly keeping an eye on us and she would be a very proud mother,” he added, as crowds roared once more.
He went on to note “my father’s first words on entering Westminster Abbey yesterday were a pledge of service” before outlining the King’s commitment to service over the years.
Several members of the royal family got their groove on throughout the concert. They could be seen bopping along to the tunes from their seats with Union Jack flags in hand.
But it was when Richie emerged on stage, dressed in a sequined silver jacket, for a performance of his hits “Easy Like Sunday Morning” and “All Night Long,” that had both the public and King himself on their feet.
Richie later joined the Sunday broadcast of “American Idol” by video link, telling host Ryan Seacrest and their fellow judges: “What a party. It was unbelievable.”
Richie then mused about what could be done “to bring something different to the show,” before the King and Queen wandered into the shot. “I just wanted to check how long you’ll be using this room for?” Charles joked before thanking him and fellow headliner Katy Perry for their performances.
Crowds were thrilled to see two of their favorite little royals, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, sat with their parents, enjoying the spectacle. Sadly, 5-year-old Prince Louis stayed home.
The royals would jump up again once more for the grand finale when “British pop royalty” Take That took to the stage for their first live performance in four years.
They were joined by singer Calum Scott for their track “Greatest Day,” continued with “Shine” and finished up with their classic and delighted the audience with “Never Forget.”
A fabulous drone display lit up the sky over the coronation concert, earning audible gasps from the crowd below.
As Alexis Ffrench and Zak Abel performed a cover of the Simple Minds hit “Don’t You Forget About Me,” the audience was delighted to the impressive visual display.
Hundreds of drones flew in formation and sparkled in the night sky, coming together to form a nature-themed light show featuring a blue whale, butterfly and an owl over the castle.
Elsewhere during the show, singer Paloma Faith sang as landmarks around the United Kingdom – including Blackpool Tower, Edinburgh Castle and others – were lit up for the celebrations.
Katy Perry, wearing a voluminous golden gown, was among the stars to take to the stage.
Accompanied by an array of backing singers and an orchestra, the American singer was greeted with cheers of appreciation from the huge crowd for her song “Roar.” Among the many fans singing along was Princess Charlotte.
Before performing her next song, Perry said of the weekend: “I got to bring my mom – she is so happy to be here. We get to stay in Windsor Castle – no big deal.”
She dedicated her second song, “Firework,” to the King for his work with the British Asian Trust, of which Perry is an ambassador.
Addressing the King, she said: “Thank you for bringing out the firework in so many young people.”
Known as the Queen of Afrobeats, Tiwa Savage thrilled the audience at Windsor Castle with the song “Keys to the Kingdom,” which featured a talking drum and elements of her native Yoruba language.
Savage, who is also a British citizen and once appeared on talent show “X Factor,” faced backlash in Nigeria – a former British colony – when it was first announced she would perform at the coronation concert.
Nevertheless, her performance garnered widespread praise, with the emerald green dress she wore by Nigerian designer Lanre Da Silva Ajayi seen by some as a nod to the green on the Nigerian flag.
Later, Savage posted a video of her performance on social media, with the caption: “One day I will tell my son that this is ‘Tiwa Savage’”
Hollywood star Tom Cruise delivered a high altitude message to the newly-crowned King from the cockpit of his War Bird plane.
“Pilot to pilot, Your Majesty, you can be my wingman anytime,” the “Top Gun” star said in a pre-recorded message.
Cruise’s message featured in a segment introduced by “James Bond” star Pierce Brosnan, who described the King as an “action man.”
“At 22 years old, His Majesty got his wings as a fully-trained RAF pilot,” said Brosnan.
Cruise’s message was one of numerous pre-recorded greetings to the King from famous people, among them Hugh Jackman, Tom Jones, Tracey Emin, Richard E Grant, Joan Collins … and Winnie the Pooh.
Another pair of famous faces to join the celebration were “The Muppets” stars Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, who interrupted presenter Bonneville as he was thanking Savage for her performance.
Dressed in a suit and tie, Kermit told Bonneville they were looking for their seats. “We are in the royal box,” he said.
But when Miss Piggy, dressed in a cerise pink evening dress and glittering necklace, recognized “Downton Abbey” star Bonneville she had other things in mind, thinking he was a real lord.
“Can you believe moi (me) is not yet a lady?” she asked, cosying up to a seemingly frustrated Bonneville, asking if he was single.
“Give me a bear with a marmalade habit any day,” he muttered, in reference to his leading role in the “Paddington” bear movies.
Miss Piggy then asked Bonneville to show Kermit the way to the royal box, saying, “King Charlesey Warlesy is expecting him” – a comment which drew laughter from the monarch and his wife, Queen Camilla.
And in case you’re wondering, Kermit finally found his seat among the royals and was seen enjoying the end of the concert next to Prince Edward.
Sign up for CNN’s Royal News, a weekly dispatch bringing you the inside track on the royal family, what they are up to in public and what’s happening behind palace walls.
by tyler | May 8, 2023 | CNN, entertainment
More than a decade ago there was speculation that “Glee” star Dianna Agron and Taylor Swift may have had a “Love Story.”
Agron has now addressed it.
In a recently published interview with Rolling Stone, the actress was asked about being a supposed inspiration for Swift’s 2012 single “22” from the “Red” album as Agron appears in the liner notes.
Agron responded “Me? Oh, if only!”
“That’s more because of a friendship than being the inspiration for the song,” she said. “But I would not be the person to ask about that. I cannot claim that!”
The pair hung out a bit from 2011-2012 and the publication also asked her about being “shipped,” meaning portrayed as being in a relationship by some fans and reports.
“That is so interesting. I … I mean, there have been many stories about my dating life that are so wildly untrue,” Agron said. “That’s funny.”
CNN has reached out to a rep for Swift for comment.
