Month: June 2021

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Pop Daypop

Pitbull announces North American “I Feel Good” tour with special guest Iggy Azalea

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Pitbull has announced his North American tour with special guest Iggy Azalea. Dubbed the I Feel Good tour, the trek will cover 32 cities, kicking-off on Aug. 20 at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Mich., before wrapping up on Oct. 13 at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa.

Pitbull posted on social media: “:I don’t know about you, but I feel good! Yours truly is back on the road again with special guest @thenewclassic and our very own @themostbadones. Excited to reunite with all of my fans. Dale!! #IFeelGoodTour

Iggy Azalea will be performing on all dates except for the Sept. 8 show at the Walmart AMP in Rogers, Ark.; the Sept. 16 show at the Isleta Amphitheater in Albuquerque, N.M.; and the Sept. 18 show at the Zappos Theater in Las Vegas.

Tickets go on sale Friday, June 25th at 10 a.m. local time through Ticketmaster.

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Categories
Pop Daypop

Billie Eilish apologizes after video containing racial slur resurfaces

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Billie Eilish is apologizing for her behavior after video resurfaced that appears to show her mouthing an anti-Asian remark.  An edited compilation of several videos that was posted on TikTok last week appears to show the singer mouthing an Asian racial slur used in Tyler the Creator’s 2011 song “Fish” and imitating various accents.

Eilish responded to the backlash via her Instagram story, writing: “I love you guys, and many of you have been asking me to address this. And this is something that I WANT to address because I’m being labeled something that I am not. There’s a video edit going around of me when I was 13 or 14 where I mouthed a word from a song that at the time I didn’t know was a derogatory term used against members of the Asian community. I am appalled and embarrassed and want to barf that I ever mouthed along to that word. This song was the only time I’d ever heard that word as it was never used around me by anyone in my family. Regardless of my ignorance and age at the time, nothing excuses the fact is that it was hurtful. And for that I am sorry.”

Eilish then addressed the video in which she appears to be mocking an accent, saying: “The other video in that edited clip is me speaking in a silly gibberish made up voice… something I started doing as a kid and have done my whole life when talking to my pets, friends and family. It is absolute gibberish and just me goofing around, and is in NO way an imitation of anyone or any language, accent or culture in the SLIGHTEST. Anyone who knows me has seen me goofing around with voices my whole life. Regardless of how it was interpreted I did not mean for any of my actions to have caused hurt to others and it absolutely breaks my heart that it is being labeled no in a way that might cause pain to people hearing it.”  Eilish ended the statement saying: “continue having conversations, listening and learning,” and added that she wants to use her platform “to fight for inclusion, kindness, tolerance, equity and equality.”

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Trump Organization sues NYC after golf course contract canceled in wake of Capitol attack

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The Trump Organization sued the city of New York on Monday, after it ended its contract for a golf course at Ferry Point Park in the Bronx, in the wake of the attack on the US Capitol on January 6. In a lawsuit filed in state court in Manhattan, the company alleged wrongful termination of the contract in mid-January, saying the city and Mayor Bill de Blasio had “denounced President (Donald) Trump in the most inflammatory terms” and “incited others to terminate business with Trump-related entities” the day after the riot.  The company also said in the lawsuit that “Mayor de Blasio had a pre-existing, politically-based predisposition to terminate Trump-related contracts, and the City used the events of January 6, 2021 as a pretext to do so.” The company had operated the Bronx golf course since 2015.
Mayor de Blasio’s spokesman, Bill Neidhardt, said on Twitter: “Donald Trump directly incited a deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. You do that, and you lose the privilege of doing business with the City of New York. It’s as simple as that.”
New York City had moved in January to terminate its business relationships with the Trump Organization in response to the then-President’s actions on January 6. They include two of his banks, Deutsche Bank and Signature Bank, credit card processor Stripe, Shopify and the PGA of America, which announced it was pulling a major golf tournament from one of Trump’s courses.

Editorial credit: John Hanson Pye / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Judge dismisses lawsuits against federal officials in Lafayette Square protest

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On Monday, a federal judge dismissed a series of lawsuits filed against the federal government for its use of force to drive Black Lives Matter protesters out of Lafayette Square last year. U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich ruled that claims filed against local officers involved in forcibly dispersing the crowd on June 1, 2020, could go forward, but rejected claims for damages against former officials including President Donald Trump, Attorney General William Barr and Defense Secretary Mark Esper along with some current officials.

The lawsuits, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Black Lives Matter D.C. and individual protesters alleged that protesters’ First Amendment and Fourth Amendment rights were violated when U.S. law enforcement agents fired tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and flash bombs to force them and other peaceful protesters to disperse as Trump posed for photos at a nearby church.

A report by an Interior Departments watchdog earlier this month said that U.S. Park Police cleared the protesters from the area to erect fencing and not to make way for Trump’s photo.

Editorial credit: Allison C Bailey / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Minnesota Vikings rookie DT Jaylen Twyman shot four times, expected to make full recovery

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Minnesota Vikings rookie defensive lineman Jaylen Twyman was shot four times while visiting a family member in Washington, D.C., but is expected to make a full recovery according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

Rosenhaus also said that the 21-year-old Twyman, who was visiting his aunt, was in a vehicle when he was shot and suffered superficial exit wounds that won’t require surgery: “Wrong place, wrong time. In talking to him today, he’s going to be OK — that’s all that matters. We’re thankful he’s OK. He will make a full recovery. He walked himself into the hospital.”  Rosenhaus added: “He was an innocent bystander in a car — wrong place, wrong time. They did X-rays, there are no broken bones, no ligament damage. I spoke to his father, he’s going to be OK. And I informed the Vikings of everything that is going on and how he is.”

The Vikings selected Twyman with the No. 199 overall pick in this year’s draft. Before opting out of the 2020 season, he became the first interior defensive lineman to lead the University of Pittsburgh in sacks (10.5 in 2019) since NFL star Aaron Donald did so six years prior.

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Categories
Sports Daypop

Las Vegas Raiders’ Carl Nassib becomes first active NFL player to come out as gay

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On Monday, Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Carl Nassib became the first active NFL player in league history to come out as gay. The 28-year-old Nassib made the announcement with a post on Instagram:”What’s up, people? I’m at my house here in West Chester, Pennsylvania. I just want to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay. I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest. I really have the best life, I’ve got the best family, friends and job a guy could ask for. I’m a pretty private person so I hope you guys know that I’m really not doing this for attention. I just think representation and visibility are so important.” Nassib also pledged $100,000 to the Trevor Project, which provides crisis intervention services to the LGBTQ+ community.

The Raiders organization responded to Nassib’s Instagram post with a tweet that read: “Proud of you, Carl,” and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement declaring that “the NFL family is proud of Carl for courageously sharing his truth today. Representation matters. We share his hope that someday soon statements like his will no longer be newsworthy as we march toward full equality for the LGBTQ+ community. We wish Carl the best of luck this coming season.”

Nassib spent his first two NFL seasons with the Browns before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018. He played two years for the Bucs, notching a career-best 6 1/2 sacks in the 2018 campaign. Nassib signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Raiders in March 2020. He recorded 28 total tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, one interception and five passes defensed in 14 games for the Raiders last season, his first in Las Vegas.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Kelsea Ballerini releases video for “I Quit Drinking”

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Kelsea Ballerini had shared the music video for her duet with LANY, “I Quit Drinking”, co-written by Ballerini alongside LANY frontman Paul Klein and Nicolle Galyon,

In the music video, directed by Blythe Thomas, the two sing together in the pouring rain, “washing away the hangover of a past relationship and the memories of an ex.” Ballerini said about the collaboration: “I’ve been a fan of LANY for a long time. It was really amazing to work together on ‘I Quit Drinking.’ We’ve all got Tennessee in common, and we found this sweet spot between rock, pop, and country for the song. It’s a little different for the both of us.”

Ballerini is set to hit the road later this year on the Remember This Tour with The Jonas Brothers while LANY recently released their album, Mama’s Boy (Deluxe), which is available now everywhere.

Take a look at the video for I Quit Drinking – here.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Chris Lane set to hit the road for headlining ‘Fill Them Boots” tour

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Chris Lane will be hitting the road for his headlining Fill Them Boots tour which will kick-off late October in Memphis, Tennessee, wrapping in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in March 2022. Rising star Lily Rose will join Chris for the full tour, with Tyler Rich and Ernest also appearing on select dates. The Fill Them Boots tour takes its name from Chris’ new single of the same name, which dropped back in April.

Chris and his wife Lauren welcomed their first child, baby boy Dutton, earlier this month, and Chris said on Instagram of his upcoming tour:  Never been more excited for anything in my life!! Me, Lauren, Dutton & the boys can’t wait to see y’all…it’s been way too long.”

Tickets for the Fill Them Boots Tour go on sale June 25 at 10 a.m. local time, but a special pre-sale begins today, June 22.

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Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Bindi Irwin announces plans to step away from social media to focus on family and mental health

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22-year-old television personality and conservationist Bindi Irwin announced that she is stepping away from social media to focus on her family and mental health. Irwin shared the news on Instagram, alongside a photo of herself holding Grace Warrior, her 3-month-old daughter with her husband, Chandler Powell.

Said Bindi: “Hi guys, just a note to say thank you for your support. I’m taking a break from social media and most of my work in the public eye for a month to be with my beautiful daughter and my wonderful family. I feel tremendously grateful to share our life and conservation work with you but I need some time to focus on the happiness that is my family (both human and animal).”

Irwin also addressed the importance of taking care of one’s mental health, saying, “Recently, I’ve had many people reaching out to share their own stories of working hard to protect their mental health. Thank you for sharing and speaking your truth. To my friends who are dealing with depression, anxiety and other battles every day – I see you. These issues are very real and deserve to be discussed and addressed. Surround yourself with the light of people who genuinely care about you and will support you during the good times and the hard times. Remember there are helplines available. Mental health deserves more understanding and support instead of being dismissed or patronised. You are absolutely worthy of love and kindness.”

Bindi is the daughter of the late Steve Irwin, who starred with his family on The Crocodile Hunter.  Steve Irwin died at age 44 in September 2006 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb. Bindi Irwin’s daughter’s middle name of Warrior is a tribute to Steve Irwin’s legacy as a “Wildlife Warrior.”

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

‘Friends’ star James Michael Tyler reveals stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis

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James Michael Tyler, the actor best known for playing Central Perk’s sarcastic coffee shop owner Gunther on the the hit NBC sitcom Friends, has revealed he’s fighting stage 4 prostate cancer. The actor appeared on the Today Show to discuss his initial diagnosis in 2018, saying that because he didn’t catch the cancer early, it spread more rapidly than usual. During the pandemic, the actor became paralyzed from the waist down due to tumors that grew on his spine. Said Tyler: “For my specific prognoses… it’s stage 4. Late-stage cancer. So eventually, you know, it’s gonna probably get me.”

Tyler’s illness kept him from appearing in person at the recent Friends reunion, however he did appear on Zoom.  Said Tyler: “I wanted to be a part of that, and initially I was going to be on the stage, at least, with them, and be able to take part in all the festivities. It was bittersweet, honestly. I was very happy to be included. It was my decision not to be a part of that physically and make an appearance on Zoom, basically, because I didn’t wanna bring a downer on it, you know? I didn’t want to be like, ‘Oh, and by the way, Gunther has cancer.’”

The actor is currently undergoing chemotherapy, and said he was speaking out about his diagnosis to urge people to listen to their doctors and get tested as often and early as possible.  Tyler said emotionally: “My goal this past year was to see my 59th birthday. I did that. My goal now is to help at least save one life.”

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com