Month: February 2025

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Doja Cat, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and more to perform at 2025 Oscars

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at the premiere for Wicked at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. LOS ANGELES^ CA. November 09^ 2024

Doja Cat, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, BLACKPINK’s LISA, Queen Latifah and Raye are all scheduled to perform at the 2025 Oscars, taking place live on Sunday, March 2 from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.

Erivo and Grande are Oscar nominees for their roles in Wicked, which received a total of 10 nominations. The other women are expected to participate in “performances celebrating the filmmaking community and some of its legends.”

Erivo and Grande are rumored to be opening the telecast with one or more songs from the movie musical.  While of the songs featured in Wicked were taken from the Broadway musical, none were eligible for nomination for ‘best original song’; but the score to Wicked by John Powell and Stephen Schwartz was nominated for best original score.

The artists behind the Oscar-nominated songs from Emilia Pérez, The Six Triple Eight, Sing Sing, and Elton John: Never Too Late will not be performing their original compositions. Instead, the ceremony will devote time to “highlighting the strength, creativity, and optimism that defines Los Angeles and our industry” in light of the recent California wildfires.

Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the 2025 Oscars will air live on ABC and stream live on Hulu on Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, with the official live red carpet show airing at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Doja Cat, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and more to perform at 2025 Oscars

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at the premiere for Wicked at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. LOS ANGELES^ CA. November 09^ 2024

Doja Cat, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, BLACKPINK’s LISA, Queen Latifah and Raye are all scheduled to perform at the 2025 Oscars, taking place live on Sunday, March 2 from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.

Erivo and Grande are Oscar nominees for their roles in Wicked, which received a total of 10 nominations. The other women are expected to participate in “performances celebrating the filmmaking community and some of its legends.”

Erivo and Grande are rumored to be opening the telecast with one or more songs from the movie musical.  While of the songs featured in Wicked were taken from the Broadway musical, none were eligible for nomination for ‘best original song’; but the score to Wicked by John Powell and Stephen Schwartz was nominated for best original score.

The artists behind the Oscar-nominated songs from Emilia Pérez, The Six Triple Eight, Sing Sing, and Elton John: Never Too Late will not be performing their original compositions. Instead, the ceremony will devote time to “highlighting the strength, creativity, and optimism that defines Los Angeles and our industry” in light of the recent California wildfires.

Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the 2025 Oscars will air live on ABC and stream live on Hulu on Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, with the official live red carpet show airing at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Death of unvaccinated Texas child is first U.S. fatality from measles outbreak in a decade

child with measles lying on the bed /asleep.

State and local health officials announced Wednesday that an unvaccinated school-aged child who was hospitalized with measles has died from the illness in West Texas. It is the first U.S. death reported from a measles outbreak since 2015.

In a press release, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) said the child was hospitalized in the northwestern city of Lubbock last week and tested positive for measles. According to data from DSHS, as of Wednesday, 124 cases of measles have been confirmed associated with the outbreak that began in Gaines County (which has become the epicenter) with 80 cases confirmed among residents. Almost all of the cases are in unvaccinated individuals or individuals whose vaccination status is unknown, and 18 people have been hospitalized so far.  Children and teenagers between ages 5 and 17 make up the majority of cases with 62, followed by 39 cases among children ages 4 and under.

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) said in a statement that the outbreak has since spread to several counties in the region and is “suspected” to have spread into New Mexico. The NMDOH said that nine cases have been confirmed in Lea County, which borders Texas; of the nine cases, four are among children.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, said during a meeting of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet members on Wednesday that the HHS is “watching” cases, and that the Texas outbreak as “not unusual … We’re following the measles epidemic every day.”

Editorial credit: Aleksandr Finch / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

National Intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard fires more than 100 over chat tool messages

Tulsi Gabbard at the 2023 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). National Harbor^ MD US - Mar 3^ 2023

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has fired more than 100 intelligence officers from 15 agencies for using a government chat platform for discussions that included topics like polyamory, gender transition surgery and politics.

In a post on X, the National Security Agency said it was “aware of posts that appear to show inappropriate discussions” by intelligence personnel and that the case is under investigation: “IC (intelligence community) collaboration platforms are intended to drive mission outcomes. Potential misuse of these platforms by a small group of individuals does not represent the community. Investigations to address this misuse of government systems are ongoing.”

According to Gabbard, the chat tool was overseen by the National Security Agency. Christopher Rufo, a conservative commentator who writes for City Journal, first reported the existence of the chats and posted what he said were transcripts of the conversations, which he said were obtained from a NSA employee and a former employee.

Gabbard said the fired intelligence officers’ conduct represented “an egregious violation of trust” and violated “basic rules and standards around professionalism.” Gabbard told Fox News: “I put out a directive today that they all will be terminated and their security clearances will be revoked .. today’s action and holding these individuals accountable is just the beginning of what we’re seeing across the Trump administration, which is carrying out the mandate the American people gave him, clean house, root out that rot and corruption and weaponization and politicization.”

A social media post by Gabbard’s spokeswoman confirmed the she sent a memo directing all intelligence agencies to identify the employees who participated in the chatrooms and to terminate their employment and revoke their security clearances.

Editorial credit: Consolidated News Photos / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

New Orleans Saints GM says Derek Carr will remain QB1 in 2025

Derek Carr #4 - Indianapolis Colts host the Oakland Raiders on Sunday Sept. 29th 2019 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis^ IN -USA

Per Matthew Paras of The Advocate: New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis spoke confidently of  starting quarterback Derek Carr while speaking with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Wednesday, indicting that Carr will remain QB1 in 2025.

The Saints have been in the process of evaluating their roster before free agency; Loomis said the Saints were “excited about it … I think we feel like we’ve got a guy [Carr] we can win with.”  Carr is entering the third season of a four-year, $150 million contract. In 10 games last season, the 11-year veteran completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions.

During Kellen Moore’s introductory news conference two weeks ago, Moore said at the time that he had a tremendous amount of respect for Carr, and that he was a “tremendous starting quarterback in this league.”  Moore also met with the media on Wednesday in Indianapolis and praised Carr’s processing ability: “We feel fortunate to have Derek here, the experience he has. He’s a big-time quarterback in this league.”

Editorial credit: Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Raiders, Giants showing ‘significant interest’ in Rams QB Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams Matthew Stafford #9 escapes a tackle-attempt by Arizona Cardinals Julian Okwara #58 during an NFL football game at SoFi Stadium^ Dec. 28^ 2024^ in Inglewood^ Calif.

According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, two teams — the Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Giants — have shown “significant interest” in Los Angeles Rams’ QB Matthew Stafford.

Russini wrote on X: “Matthew Stafford’s exploration of his market value the last few weeks has indeed attracted significant interest from teams, notably the Raiders and the Giants, per sources. Teams are anticipating the Rams will now be driving up the asking price if they decide to move him.

Stafford, who turned 37 earlier this month, is still under contract for the next two years with the Rams –but per reports, they could decide to go their separate ways if another franchise makes a move to acquire the star QB. The Giants hold the No. 3 overall draft pick in April, and the Raiders own the No. 6 pick.

Editorial credit: Ringo Chiu / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Kacey Musgraves shares ‘Deeper Well’ mini-documentary

Kacey Musgraves performs at the 2018 Farm Aid Benefit Concert. Hartford^ CT - September 22^ 2018

Kacey Musgraves has released a new 31 minute mini-documentary chronicling the recording of her album Deeper Well.

The film, Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well (The Making of the Album), visits with Musgraves and her co-producers Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk while working at NYC’s famed Electric Lady studios over months, and gives viewers a look at the creative process while featuring footage of Kacey in Iceland filming the music video for the album’s title track.

Kacey recently completed her Deeper Well World Tour with sold-out shows including Nashville, London, Los Angeles, New York, Amsterdam, Brussels, Chicago and more.

Check out Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well (The Making of the Album): HERE.

Editorial credit: Adam McCullough / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

‘Gossip Girl’, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ star Michelle Trachtenberg dies at age 39

Michelle Trachtenberg walks the red carpet at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Party on February 09^ 2020 in Los Angeles^ California. LOS ANGELES^ CA / USA - FEBRUARY 09^ 2020

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg has died at age 39. The New York Post first broke the news of Trachtenberg’s death.

The actress’ rep confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday morning: “It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”

A report from ABC News stated that Trachtenberg was found dead on Feb. 26 by her mother at around 8 a.m. Wednesday at One Columbus Place, a 51-story luxury apartment complex in Manhattan’s Central Park South neighborhood. Police stated that “her death is not being investigated as suspicious.”  According to sources, Trachtenberg recently underwent a liver transplant, which may have led to complications leading to her death.

Trachtenberg got her start in commercials before landing her roles on Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete and on All My Children. She rose to fame as a child star in the 1996 movie Harriet the Spy. She went on to join the cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Sarah Michelle Gellar’s sister, Dawn Summers, and guest starred on Gossip Girl as Georgia Sparks.  Her last credited role was in 2023, when she reprised her role as Georgina Sparks on Max’s Gossip Girl reboot.

Trachtenberg had sparked concerns from fans who were worried due to a drastic change in her appearance. While she did not publicly reveal any health conditions prior to her death, she did respond to those questioning her wellbeing after she posted a selfie on Instagram in January 2024: “Fun fact. This is my face. Not malnutrition no problems. Why do you have to hate? Get a calendar.” She later shared another post, writing: “I’ve received several comments recently about my appearance. I have never had plastic surgery I am happy and healthy. Check yourself haters.”

Editorial credit: Silvia Elizabeth Pangaro / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Lady Gaga, Shane Gillis, Tate McRae returning to ‘SNL’ in March

Lady Gaga at the premiere of Joker: Folie à Deux at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX LOS ANGELES^ CA - SEP 30^ 2024

Saturday Night Live will return to its normal programming and has announced the hosts and musical guests for its first two episodes of March

Comedian Shane Gillis will return as host for the second time on the March 1 episode, with Tate McRae to perform as musical guest (also for the second time); and Lady Gaga will perform double duty as both host and musical guest, on the March 8 episode.  It is Lady Gaga’s second time hosting, and fifth time performing on the show.

Gillis currently stars on the Netflix series Tires, while Gaga’s album Mayhem drops March 7; Tate McRae’s third album, So Close to What, was just released.

Editorial credit: Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Lady Gaga, Shane Gillis, Tate McRae returning to ‘SNL’ in March

Lady Gaga at the premiere of Joker: Folie à Deux at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX LOS ANGELES^ CA - SEP 30^ 2024

Saturday Night Live will return to its normal programming and has announced the hosts and musical guests for its first two episodes of March

Comedian Shane Gillis will return as host for the second time on the March 1 episode, with Tate McRae to perform as musical guest (also for the second time); and Lady Gaga will perform double duty as both host and musical guest, on the March 8 episode.  It is Lady Gaga’s second time hosting, and fifth time performing on the show.

Gillis currently stars on the Netflix series Tires, while Gaga’s album Mayhem drops March 7; Tate McRae’s third album, So Close to What, was just released.

Editorial credit: Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com