Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press – Jun 27, 2024 / 12:55 pm | Story: 494570
Photo: The Canadian Press
Arisa Cox arrives on the red carpet at the 2017 Canadian Screen Awards in Toronto on Sunday, March 12, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
After 12 seasons, “Big Brother Canada” has received its eviction notice.
Corus Entertainment says it is cancelling the Global TV reality competition series.
The broadcaster says in a statement it considered many factors in the decision, including “audience trends, available support from sponsors and advertisers, and production and licensing costs.”
“Big Brother Canada,” one of several international spinoffs of the original Dutch show, features contestants living together, cut off from the outside world.
They compete weekly for a cash prize. The show was hosted by Arisa Cox, who has also served as an executive producer since Season 9.
“Big Brother Canada” was produced by Insight Productions in association with Corus and Banijay Rights. Corus said there are no layoffs at the broadcaster related to the cancellation.
Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press – Jun 27, 2024 / 11:23 am | Story: 494548
Photo: The Canadian Press
FILE – Killer Mike poses in the press room with the awards for best rap performance and best rap song for “Scientists & Engineers,” and best rap album for “Michael” during the 66th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. Killer Mike is expected to avoid charges over a physical altercation that led to his arrest at the Grammys earlier this year after the rapper recently completed community service. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Killer Mike is expected to avoid charges over a physical altercation that led to his arrest at the Grammys earlier this year after the rapper recently completed community service.
The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office said in a statement Thursday that Mike “successfully completed the office’s hearing process, including a community service requirement that was imposed.” The rapper was escorted in handcuffs by police at Crypto.com Arena in February and detained on suspicion of a misdemeanor offense.
Court documents shows Mike, whose real name is Michael Render, was never charged over the incident. His representatives did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
In some instances, Los Angeles city prosecutors can opt to resolve an incident without filing misdemeanor charges if a person completes certain conditions.
Mike said an “over-zealous” security guard contributed to the altercation that occurred in the joyous moments after he won three awards at the Grammys’ Premiere Ceremony. It was his first Grammy in more than two decades.
Mike’s first win came after he won for best rap performance for “Scientists & Engineers,” which also took home best rap song. The single features Andre 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane.
He also won best rap album for “Michael.”
When he collected his third award, the Atlanta-based rapper shouted out, “Sweep! Atlanta, it’s a sweep!”
Mike’s last Grammy came in 2003 when he won for “The Whole World” for best rap performance by a duo or group.
BANG Showbiz – Jun 27, 2024 / 10:33 am | Story: 494532
Photo: BANG Showbiz. All rights reserved.
Paris Hilton told Congress her school experiences have left her with “severe post-traumatic stress disorder” on Wednesday.
The 43-year-old socialite alleged in 2020 that she had been subjected to “verbal, physical, emotional and psychological” torture whilst a student at Provo Canyon – a psychiatric youth residential facility – in Utah, and she has now recalled being “sexually abused” and “force-fed medications” as she testified about the abuse children experience in the US’ welfare systems.
Paris said in her opening statement: “I know from personal experience the harm that is caused by being placed in youth residential treatment facilities…
“It has caused me severe post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma that I will have for the rest of my life.”
The ‘Stars Are Blind’ singer told how she was “ripped” from her bed at the age of 16 and taken to the boarding school to be rehabilitated for her rebellious behaviour, but the reality of her days in the facility were tough.
She said: “These programmes promised healing, growth and support, but instead did not allow me to speak, move freely or even look out a window for two years.
“I was force-fed medications and sexually abused by the staff.
“I was violently restrained and dragged down hallways, stripped naked and thrown into solitary confinement.”
Paris insisted she didn’t blame her parents, Rick and Kathy Hilton, for enrolling her in the school because she felt they had been “deceived” and “manipulated”.
She said: “My parents were completely deceived, lied to and manipulated by this for-profit industry about the inhumane treatment I was experiencing.”
The ‘Paris in Love’ star – who has 17-month-old Phoenix and London, seven months, with husband Carter Reum – then spoke out for young people in foster care and adoption who feel “forgotten”, noting how some don’t have parents “regularly checking in on them”, which can lead to tragic incidents.
Paris stressed how children caught in the welfare system without their own parents need someone to “regularly check in on them.”
She added: “As a mom, these stories break my heart.
“The treatment these kids have had to endure is criminal. … I will not stop until America’s youth is safe.
“If you are a child in the system, hear my words: I see you. I believe you. I know what you’re going through, and I won’t give up on you.
“You are important, your future is important, and you deserve every opportunity to be safe and supported.”
BANG Showbiz – Jun 27, 2024 / 6:31 am | Story: 494487
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Neil Young and Crazy Horse have cancelled the remaining dates on their tour, due to illness.
The legendary 78-year-old musician admitted he and his longtime backing group Crazy Horse have enjoyed a “great experience” on their ‘Love Earth Tour’, but they have had to shelve the remaining shows after “a couple of [them]” were struck down with illness after their last gig.
That took place at the Pine Knob Music Theatre, in Independence Township, Michigan, on May 22nd, and the unnamed band members are “still not fully recovered”.
Neil said in a statement on his website: “The Love Earth Tour has been a great experience for us so far. GREAT AUDIENCES AND MUSIC. WE HAVE HAD A BLAST!
“When a couple of us got sick after Detroit’s Pine Knob, we had to stop. We are still not fully recovered, so sadly our great tour will have a big unplanned break. (sic)”
Neil and Crazy Horse are hoping to reschedule “some of the dates” when they feel ready to “rock again”.
He added: “We will try to play some of the dates we miss as time passes when we are ready to rock again! We know many of you made travel plans and we apologize for the inconvenience. Thanks for your understanding and patience. (sic)”
But the ‘Heart Of Gold’ hitmaker insisted health is “number one”.
He said: “Health is # 1…. We want to stay and do more shows and more albums for you…. and for for us…. With love and thanks to all of you from Crazy Horse….. Neil, Micah, Ralph and Billy… Love Earth. (sic)”
Neil and Crazy Horse were due to play seven shows in Canada in July, and three in the US in late September, including one at California’s Ohana Fest on September 28th.
A post on Ohana Fest’s X account read: “We are sad to announce that Neil Young with Crazy Horse will no longer be performing at Ohana Festival 2024. Please stay tuned for a lineup update coming as soon as possible; in the meantime, we are wishing the band a speedy recovery (sic)”.
BANG Showbiz – Jun 27, 2024 / 6:30 am | Story: 494486
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Marilyn Monroe’s former Los Angeles home has been saved from demolition.
The Spanish colonial-style property in the Brentwood area has been granted historic cultural monument status after being at the centre of a dispute between fans of the Hollywood icon and its wealthy owners.
The property – which Monroe bought for $75,000 just six months before her death in 1962 – was purchased by heiress Brinah Milstein and her TV producer husband Roy Bank for $8.35 million last July and the couple had planned to bulldoze it for the expansion of their estate.
However, fans of the ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ star objected to the plans and have come out on top in the row after Los Angeles officials voted unanimously to give the house cultural monument status.
Kim Cooper, who runs the LA touring company Esotouric, told The Times newspaper: “Many, many people are feeling great relief today because something they know is important is protected.
“The city has done the right thing and they’ve put the memory of Marilyn Monroe and the significance of her place on this planet in the front of everyone’s mind.”
Council member Traci Park added that it would have been “devastating” for the city had the property been demolished.
She said during the hearing: “To lose this piece of history, the only home that Monroe ever owned, would be a devastating blow for historic preservation and for a city where less than three per cent of historic designations are associated with women’s heritage.”
However, plans have been drawn up to limit the number of tourist buses that visit the house – where Marilyn passed away after an apparent overdose at the age of 36 – after the owners expressed frustration at the constant footfall.
BANG Showbiz – Jun 27, 2024 / 6:29 am | Story: 494485
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WWE star Rhea Ripley has marred fellow wrestler Buddy Matthews.
The former Women’s World Champion – whose real name is Demi Bennett – tied the knot with her fellow Australian in a gothic-themed ceremony last weekend, for which they both wore black.
The 27-year-old fighter shared a photo of the happy couple kissing on their big day, with Rhea clutching a bouquet containing various flowers including black roses.
She captioned her Instagram post: “Til death. [black heart emoji] 23.06.24 (sic)”.
Fellow WWE star Bianca Belair commented: “Congrats!!!!!!”
And Dominik Mysterio, who is Rhea’s ‘Monday Night Raw’ paramour shared a string of black heart emojis.
Rhea and 35-year-old Buddy – whose real name is Matthew Adams – announced their engagement in August 2023.
Showing off her new ring in a photo of the couple kissing, she wrote on Instagram at the time: “1000x YES! Pure F—king happiness! [heart emoji]) (sic)”.
Buddy currently works for All Elite Wrestling, having been released from his WWE contract – in which he fought as Buddy Murphy – in 2021.
Rhea previously reflected on the differences in fortunes she and her partner have experienced with WWE.
She told Logan Paul on his ‘Impaulsive’ podcast: “He’s happy for me and he knows how far I can go in this company and how far his limitations are as well.
“It’s a male-dominated sport, there’s only so many females in it, so if you really show that you’re different and you connect with the crowd in a certain way, you’re going to skyrocket to the top.
“He knows that when he was in WWE, he hit a peak there. The platform that I’m on [in WWE] is higher. I feel like he doesn’t get threatened by that and he says doesn’t either, so I take his word. I trust him. I believe him.
“He’s very comfortable in what he’s doing. He loves to help me along the way and help me grow, which is what a relationship should be.”
The Canadian Press – Jun 27, 2024 / 5:47 am | Story: 494474
Photo: The Canadian Press
Avril Lavigne attends the Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall-Winter 2024-2025 collection presented in Paris, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Christophe Ena
Avril Lavigne, Stephen Poloz and Tina Keeper are among the accomplished Canadians newly appointed to the Order of Canada.
The Governor General’s office announced 83 appointments this morning including the pop-punk princess, former Bank of Canada governor and Cree actress and advocate known for CBC’s “North of 60.”
Also making the list are: Quebec singer-songwriter Daniel Lavoie, Métis visual artist Christi Belcourt and former Ottawa journalist Joyce Napier, now ambassador to the Vatican.
The Order of Canada recognizes people from all walks of life who have made significant and sustained contributions to the country.
Among this year’s list of philanthropists, business owners and scientific innovators are deep sea diver Patrick Lahey and magician David Ben, considered to be one of Canada’s foremost sleight-of-hand artists.
Keeper — also a producer and former member of Parliament — says she’s particularly honoured because her father was also a member of the Order of Canada.
The new cohort will be invested at ceremonies in the coming months.
Brian Melley, The Associated Press – Jun 27, 2024 / 5:44 am | Story: 494472
Photo: The Canadian Press
FILE – Britain’s Prince Harry meets the crowd as he leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, on May 8, 2024. An attorney for the publisher of The Sun tabloid Thursday accused Prince Harry of engaging in “shocking” and “extraordinary” obfuscation by destroying evidence it was seeking in his lawsuit claiming the newspaper violated his privacy by unlawfully snooping on him. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
An attorney for the publisher of The Sun tabloid Thursday accused Prince Harry of engaging in “shocking” and “extraordinary” obfuscation by destroying evidence it was seeking in his lawsuit claiming that the newspaper violated his privacy by unlawfully snooping on him.
Attorney Anthony Hudson said at High Court that the Duke of Sussex had deliberately destroyed text messages with the ghostwriter who penned his bestselling memoir, “Spare.”
A lawyer for Harry said News Group Newspapers was engaging in a “classic fishing expedition” by seeking documents they should have sought much sooner for a trial scheduled in January.
“NGN’s tactical and sluggish approach to disclosure wholly undermines the deliberately sensational assertion that the claimant (Harry) has not properly carried out the disclosure exercise,” his attorney, David Sherborne, said in court papers. “This is untrue. In fact, the claimant has already made clear that he has conducted extensive searches, going above and beyond his obligations.”
Hudson said Harry had created an “obstacle course” to getting documents it was seeking from his former lawyer and staff when Harry was a working member of the royal family.
“If the claimant wanted his documents from his former solicitors’ or from the royal household … he would have got them,” Hudson said.
The hearing is the latest in Harry’s battles against Britain’s biggest tabloids over alleged phone hacking and hiring private investigators to use unlawful measures to dig up dirt on him.
Harry is one of dozens of claimants, which had included actor Hugh Grant, alleging that between 1994 and 2016, News Group journalists violated their privacy through widespread unlawful activity that included intercepting voicemails, tapping phones, bugging cars and using deception to access confidential information.
The litigation grew out of a phone hacking scandal that erupted at NGN’s News of the World in 2011.
The judge in the case recently ruled that Harry couldn’t expand his lawsuit to add allegations that Rupert Murdoch, who was executive of the company that included NGN, was part of an effort to conceal and destroy evidence of unlawful activity.
NGN issued an unreserved apology in 2011 to victims of voicemail interception by the News of the World, which closed its doors after the scandal. NGN said it has settled 1,300 claims for its newspapers, though The Sun has never accepted liability.
BANG Showbiz – Jun 26, 2024 / 10:04 pm | Story: 494459
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Khloe Kardashian has accused her sister Kim Kardashian of being “good at” being “a b****”.
The two sisters get embroiled in a heated discussion in this week’s episode of ‘The Kardashians’, which sees the SKIMS boss take the family to Aspen on vacation as part of their Christmas celebrations.
In a teaser clip obtained by ‘Entertainment Tonight’, Khloe stands while Kim sits at a table and they discuss a recent dinner party.
Referring to her ‘Lifer’ group of close friends – including Allison Statter, Simone Harouche, Sarah Meyer Michaelson, Zoe Winkler Reinis, Lindsay May and Ashley Kassan – Kim said: “It’s not to critique, it’s just to say I felt- I just felt the energy.
“You never go out. I was so excited. She came to a Lifers dinner. This is like, they were so excited.”
Khloe hit back as Kendall Jenner and Corey Gamble looked on in silence: “Kim was antisocial. I’m with all of her friends…”
Kim interrupted: “Antisocial? I’m hanging out talking.”
The pair then grew more animated as the tone of the conversation took a downward turn.
Khloe said: “No, with your same Lifers. I was with new people, I’m schmitzing, socializing. I was as with the people as I could be.
“And it still wasn’t good enough for you.”
Narrowing her eyes, Kim said: “And I am so proud of you.”
The video then cut to the Good American founder blasting her sister as she talked to the camera.
She said: “Kim’s just trying to be a b**** right now and that’s something Kim is so good at.
“Like if she wants to hurt you, she will go for the jugular.”
The row will air on ‘The Kardashians’ on Thursday (27.06.24).
Morgan Lowrie, The Canadian Press – Jun 26, 2024 / 11:52 am | Story: 494332
Photo: The Canadian Press
Sylvain Parent-Bedard, President and CEO of ComediHa! poses in Montreal, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
The president of a Quebec-based entertainment group says he’s “reviving” the Montreal Just For Laughs festival with a scaled-down 2024 event that includes shows by Dane Cook, Bassem Youssef and Bobby Slayton.
ComediHa! CEO Sylvain Parent-Bédard says it’s a “bit of a miracle” the company is able to announce a July lineup only weeks after acquiring a number of assets from the financially troubled Just for Laughs comedy company.
While this year’s festival will be smaller on the English side, with about 15 shows and 20-30 comedians, he said it sends a powerful signal.
“It was important for us to make a statement to the fans, to the different partners and to the comedy industry that we are there, we are still there, and we’re going to be there,” he said in a phone interview.
Just for Laughs cancelled its Montreal and Toronto festivals earlier this year and sought creditor protection, blaming the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and the changing entertainment industry for its financial woes.
Parent-Bédard’s ComediHa! announced earlier this month that a judge approved its bid to acquire the brands Juste pour rire, Just For Laughs, Zoofest, ComedyPro, the Gags, as well as the audiovisual catalogue.
The 2024 festival runs from July 18 to 28 and will feature a free outdoor performance by Cook, about 15 shows at various venues, and a closing show that has yet to be announced. It will be run alongside the company’s French festival, called “ComediHa! salue Montréal.”
While the company had been planning the French Montreal event under its own banner since March, Parent-Bédard said it only confirmed on June 7 that it would be able to run shows under the Just For Laughs name.
He said this year’s edition won’t have a big English-speaking gala, and the company won’t produce television this summer.
However, he promised that attendees won’t be disappointed by the quality of the lineup. He expects Cook’s outdoor performance at Place des Festivals to draw thousands of fans, and said it’s the first time Youssef — described in the press release as “the Egyptian-born heart surgeon-turned-host of the Arab world’s biggest political satire show” — has come to the city.
Parent-Bédard said that by next year he wants to return the Montreal festival to its pre-pandemic glory days. In the short term, he also wants to bring back touring across Canada with the Just for Laughs brand.
He said the company still hasn’t made a decision on the future of the Toronto Just For Laughs festival but said the company will be back in the city in some form later this year and is planning a fuller event for fall 2025.
A court filing from insolvency trustee PwC said Groupe Juste pour rire booked a net loss of more than $7.9 million in the first 10 months of 2023. Court documents released in March showed the company owed nearly $22.5 million to creditors, while more documents released later showed an additional $5 million owed by the festival and other affiliated businesses.
Parent-Bédard said he has only been able to hire back about 10 of the 130 or so employees who were laid off from the Just For Laughs comedy company. He said ComediHa! is still sifting through some 6,000 documents associated with the assets it purchased, but he expressed confidence it can avoid the financial mistakes of its predecessor.
He said his company is under his control, making it more “agile” when it comes to decision-making. He also said he wasn’t going to focus too much on profit, at least for now.
“It’s strange to hear, but I’m sincere about it,” he said. “We don’t do it at first for profit and for money. We do it because we like comedy, we like festivals, we like Montreal and Quebec City and we want to be proud to be the flagship of comedy all over the world.”
BANG Showbiz – Jun 26, 2024 / 11:18 am | Story: 494323
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WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoa’i has died aged 79.
The Samoan-American father of wrestling hero Roman Reigns, 39, was renowned for being part of the Wild Samoans tag team alongside his brother Afa Anoa’i, and the fighter’s passing on Tuesday (25.06.24) was announced by his nephew Jahrus.
He said on Instagram: “It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Former Hall of Famer, Polaivao Leati Sika Anoa’i. He passed away peacefully on June 25th.
“Sika was a celebrated figure whose contributions and legacy have left an indelible mark. His memory will live on through his achievements and the many lives he touched.”
Jahrus added the wrestling pioneer was an inspiration in “many other” areas of life including upholding family values.
He added: “He was many things: a hard working father, a caring brother, a supportive uncle, and a proud grandfather.
“He was a cherished friend to many, a loving family member whose warmth and kindness knew no bounds, and an inspiration to countless individuals.
“His legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations, reminding us of the impact one person’s life can have on so many. Rest in love Uncle Sika. #wildsamoans #halloffamer #sikaanoai.”
Sika’s son Roman has not been seen since his Wrestlemania loss to Cody Rhodes, and the late wrestler was also father to the late WWE wrestler Matthew Anoa’i.
Sika’s achievements in the ring include becoming a three-time WWE tag team champion.
He kicked off his wrestling career in 1973, joining WWE seven years later and last wrestled for them in 1988.
His legacy lasted a lifetime for fans, with the Wild Samoans inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.
Reigns is yet to comment publicly on the passing of his father, but fans have flooded social media with tributes including one who hailed him as “the real Tribal Chief”.
BANG Showbiz – Jun 26, 2024 / 11:18 am | Story: 494322
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Justin Timberlake has returned to social media for the first time since his arrest.
The 43-year-old singer – who was arrested early last week for allegedly driving while under the influence in the Hamptons, New York – is currently on his ‘Forget Tomorrow World Tour’ in the US, and he has taken to his social accounts to promote his merchandise.
In his first post since the incident on June 17, Justin has shared a reel revealing special T-shirt designs for his back to back gigs at Madison Square Garden.
In the video, the ‘Cry Me A River’ hitmaker held up the orange and blue shirt and said: “This is so important right now.
“Let’s go. Got y’all’s Knicks colors. We had to do it.”
Although he’s kept quiet on social media after his arrest, he did return to the stage on Friday (21.06.24) for a gig at the United Center in Chicago, where he addressed the incident for the first time.
He said: “This (tour) is just something that keeps watching over me, more so on this tour than any other.
“And that’s that mostly all of us here in this room tonight, in this arena tonight, have grown up together.
“So many of you come up to me and say, ‘I grew up with you, man.’
“I want each and every one of you to know I’ve grown up with you.
“You have been such a big and beautiful part of my life and sometimes I can’t find the words to show my gratitude that you guys just keep riding with me and riding with me.”
The Sag Harbor Police Department said in a statement on 18 June Justin had been “observed operating a 2025 BMW southbound on Madison Street, failing to stop at a duly posted stop sign and failing to maintain his lane of travel” in the early hours of the same day.
He was determined to be “operating his vehicle in an intoxicated condition” and arrested, processed and held overnight for morning arraignment.
Justin was charged with two citations for running a stop sign and failure to keep in lane and with one count of DWI told the arresting officer: “I had one martini and I followed my friends home.”
The singer’s attorney Edward Burke Jr said in a statement: “Mr Burke looks forward to vigorously defending Mr. Timberlake against these allegations.
“He will have a lot to say at the appropriate time. He is currently awaiting full discovery from the DA’s office.”
