Bruce Willis Saluted By John Travolta, Haley Joel Osment As Well Wishes Continue - Deadline
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Thursday, March 31, 2022
Bruce Willis Saluted By John Travolta, Haley Joel Osment As Well Wishes Continue - Deadline
Bruce Willis Saluted By John Travolta, Haley Joel Osment As Well Wishes Continue - Deadline
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Oscars producer shares what happened right after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock - GMA
John Travolta, Haley Joel Osment Share Tributes to Co-Star Bruce Willis After Aphasia Diagnosis - Variety
Bruce Willis’ “The Sixth Sense” co-star Haley Joel Osment and director M. Night Shyamalan both took to social media to praise the actor after he announced on March 30 that he’s stepping away from the profession following an aphasia diagnosis. Aphasia is a language disorder caused by brain damage that affects a person’s ability to communicate. Osment had his acting breakthrough in the 1999 supernatural thriller “The Sixth Sense,” which grossed $672 million worldwide and earned six Academy Award nominations. Osment was Oscar-nominated for supporting actor.
“It’s been difficult to find the right words for someone I’ve always looked up to — first on the big screen, and then by some wild stroke of luck, in person,” Osment wrote in an emotional Instagram post. “He’s a true legend who has enriched all of our lives with a singular career that spans nearly half a century. I am so grateful for what I got to witness firsthand, and for the enormous body of work he built for us to enjoy for years and years to come.”
Osment added, “I just wanted to express the respect and deep admiration I have for Bruce and his family as they move forward with courage and high spirits that have always defined them.”
Shyamalan directed Willis in not just “The Sixth Sense” but also “Unbreakable” and “Glass.” The filmmaker wrote on Twitter, “All my love and respect to my big brother Bruce Willis. I know his wonderful family is surrounding him with support and strength. He will always be that hero on that poster on my wall as kid.”
John Travolta was another former co-star of Willis’ using social media to praise the actor. The two actors both appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction,” while Willis provided the voice of the baby in the Travolta-starring comedy “Look Who’s Talking.”
“Bruce and I became good friends when we shared two of our biggest hits together,” Travolta wrote. “Years later he said to me, ‘John, I just want you to know that when something good happens to you I feel like it’s happening to me.’ That’s how generous a soul he is. I love you Bruce.”
Willis’ family revealed his aphasia diagnosis and retirement in a joint statement. “This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support,” the family said. “We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him. As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that.”
All my love and respect to my big brother Bruce Willis. I know his wonderful family is surrounding him with support and strength. He will always be that hero on that poster on my wall as kid.
— M. Night Shyamalan ⌛ (@MNightShyamalan) March 31, 2022
John Travolta, Haley Joel Osment Share Tributes to Co-Star Bruce Willis After Aphasia Diagnosis - Variety
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Kevin Smith apologizes for 'petty' Bruce Willis comments after aphasia diagnosis - Page Six
Kevin Smith feels like an “a–hole” for “petty” comments he once made about Bruce Willis, whose family revealed he has aphasia.
“Long before any of the Cop Out stuff, I was a big Bruce Willis fan – so this is really heartbreaking to read,” Smith tweeted Wednesday in response to the news of Willis’ diagnosis, referencing the 2010 action-comedy that he directed and the actor starred in.
“He loved to act and sing and the loss of that has to be devastating for him,” Smith 51, went on, admitting he feels “like an a–hole for my petty complaints” and is “so sorry” to Willis, 67, “and his family.”
In January 2011, Smith described the experience of working with Willis on “Cop Out,” which also starred Tracy Morgan, as “f–king soul-crushing.”
“It was difficult,” he said on the “WTF with Marc Maron” podcast at the time. “I’ve never been involved in a situation like that where one component is not in the box at all. It was f–king soul-crushing.”
“I mean, a lot of people are gonna be like, ‘Oh, you’re just trying to blame the movie on him,'” the filmmaker continued of the buddy cop flick, which received pitiful reviews. “No, but I had no f–king help from this dude whatsoever.”
While Smith claimed Willis “wouldn’t even sit for a f–king poster shoot,” he praised Morgan, now 53, for making production of the film bearable.
“Were it not for Tracy, I might’ve killed myself or someone else in the making of that movie,” he quipped.
It is unclear how long the “Pulp Fiction” star has been experiencing symptoms of aphasia, but his family revealed Wednesday that he would be stepping away from his decades-long career due to the medical condition.
Aphasia affects a person’s cognitive functions, including their ability to speak, write and understand both verbal and written language. It typically occurs after a stroke or head injury, though Willis’ family did not elaborate on his cause.
They also did not specify when the “Die Hard” star received the diagnosis, but sources exclusively told Page Six he was having “cognitive problems” on movie sets dating back to at least 2020.
Sources also said he was using “earpieces” to have lines fed to him and “body doubles, not just for action [sequences], but for maximizing his screen time.”
“Everybody knew, the cast and crew,” one insider explained, adding that the actor’s family eventually “stepped in” and “moved in to take care of him.”
Kevin Smith apologizes for 'petty' Bruce Willis comments after aphasia diagnosis - Page Six
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John Travolta posts touching tribute to his friend Bruce Willis following his aphasia diagnosis - Daily Mail
John Travolta posts touching tribute to friend and Pulp Fiction co-star Bruce Willis following his aphasia diagnosis: 'That's how generous a soul he is'
John Travolta paid tribute to his friend and former co-star Bruce Willis following the actor's aphasia diagnosis.
Travolta, 68, who starred in the cult classic Pulp Fiction and rom com Look Who's Talking with Willis, 67, praised the 'generous soul' in an Instagram post on Thursday.
'Bruce and I became good friends when we shared 2 of our biggest hits together, Pulp Fiction and Look Who’s Talking,' John began in a post on Instagram. 'Years later he said to me, "John, I just want you to know that when something good happens to you I feel like it's happening to me." That's how generous a soul he is. I love you Bruce.'
'I love you Bruce': John Travolta paid tribute to his friend and former co-star Bruce Willis following the actor's aphasia diagnosis
The post contained two photos of the actors together, including one of them wearing black as they posed with Willis' arm around John's shoulder.
Travolta and Willis recently reunited for the upcoming film Paradise City, which was shot in Maui last May, according to the Los Angeles Times.
'He was excited to work with John Travolta, and you could see the old Bruce Willis charm was still there,' the film's director Chuck Russell told the site in an article detailing how his cognitive decline impacted his film career in recent years.
'He really brought his A game, and we made sure that he and John had a great experience filming together.'
'That's how generous a soul he is': The post contained two photos of the actors together, including one of them wearing black as they posed with Willis' arm around John's shoulder
Shared success: 'Bruce and I became good friends when we shared 2 of our biggest hits together, Pulp Fiction and Look Who's Talking,' Travolta wrote in the post
Numerous stars have sent Willis their love on Twitter in the wake of the diagnosis, including Sylvester Stallone, Sarah Paulson, director Len Wiseman, and Jenna Dewan.
Willis' devastating diagnosis was revealed in a statement posted by his family, including ex-wife Demi Moore and their three daughters, to Instagram on Wednesday.
'To Bruce's amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,' they wrote.
Hit film: John and Willis starred in the 1994 cult classic Pulp Fiction
'As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.'
The statement added: 'This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support. We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him.
'As Bruce always says, 'Live it up' and together we plan to do just that,' the statement, which was signed by his wife, model Emma Heming Willis, his ex-wife Demi and all of his children, concluded.
According to the National Aphasia Association, aphasia is an impairment of language, affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write.
The association reports the condition is always due to injury to the brain, most commonly from a stroke, particularly in older individuals.
Head trauma, brain tumors or infections can also cause aphasia.
Showing their support: Numerous stars have sent Willis their love on Twitter in the wake of the diagnosis, including Sylvester Stallone, Sarah Paulson, director Len Wiseman, and Jenna Dewan; pictured in Pulp Fiction
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John Travolta posts touching tribute to his friend Bruce Willis following his aphasia diagnosis - Daily Mail
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Stewart Copeland Honors Taylor Hawkins in Emotional Tribute - Rolling Stone
As a young drummer, Taylor Hawkins worshipped the Police. “My brother handed me a copy of Zenyatta Mondatta,” Hawkins told the BBC in 2019. “This was 1982. He goes, ‘If you want to be good, you have to play it like this guy.’ My two first major inspirations — probably the two guys that shaped a lot of what I do when I play drums in a rock band — are Roger Taylor and Stewart Copeland.”
Hawkins finally met his hero in 2005, and they began a long friendship that consisted of jams at Copeland’s home studio, the Sacred Grove, late-night phone conversations, and frequent hangs. Copeland called Rolling Stone to share his memories of the late drummer.
All of us in the drummer community are texting back and forth our shock and horror at this unexpected event. In fact, not to get too Grim Reaper-ish about it, but the last time I physically saw Taylor — although we talked on the phone a lot — was just as the lockdown was beginning, after Neil [Peart’s] memorial. I was there with [Jethro Tull’s] Doane Perry, [Tool’s] Danny Carey, and [Red Hot Chili Peppers’] Chad Smith, and Taylor, all lamenting the loss of our guiding light Neil Peart. And now, we will be reconvened.
We enjoyed each other’s company. Much more than guitarists do. You would think we would be more competitive, because there’s only one drum set on stage and you can have any number of amps. But for some reason we like extra rhythm clattering around us. He was very much in the drum tribe. Brothers of the stick. We have our own language, one not understood by guitarists, and particularly alien to keyboard players.
Taylor was a great hang, and there’s a big hole where a lot of laughs used to live. When we weren’t goofing off with each other, we were on the phone talking crackpot theories, get-rich-quick schemes, and just general hang bullshit. He was just indefatigably cheerful. He was emotional as well, but that just gave spice to his cheerfulness.
He was always Mister Fanboy, but that was part of his shtick. “OK, OK, Taylor, calm down!” One of his social tricks was that whenever we were hanging out, he’d select a Police T-shirt from his extensive collection. When he hung out with Neil, he’d have his Rush T-shirt on. He was 50 years old going on eight.
He was a fan of everybody, a real enthusiast. Even though he was a star, he was very interested in all the other people, how they got there and what they do. He knew it all — all the different things that everybody could do. Every flamma diddle and rattamacue as played by his heroes.
He’d go to his extensive estate, at the end of which is a guest house he turned into the drum palace. He could do the John Bonham double-bass-drum kick thing before they invented double-bass-drum pedals. Neil’s single-stroke rolls down all 14 tom-toms. All my stuff, Roger Taylor’s stuff, Phil Collins. He was fascinated by it all — and I’m sure it informed his own style — but he had his own thing. He went straight for the money.
He had no one sense of competition or one-upmanship, and we all know the reason for that: because his boss was a drummer. The worst indignity: His boss was one of the best drummers ever. So this made all of us other drummers with our axes to grind and gripes look at the world more calmly. Just think about Taylor’s gig.
I was thinking about when we met. I got a strange invitation out of the blue from the Foo Fighters to join them on their jet up to San Francisco to play a show [in 2005], and then straight to New York where they did 24 Hours of Foo on MTV. I think that’s the first time I met those guys. What really impressed me about all of them is not only were they the headlining act, but they all had side bands that were the supporting acts. Hardworking, those young musicians.
I’m not sure if it was Taylor or Dave who decided “That’s it, on the Police reunion tour [in 2007] we’re opening for the Police, damn it!” They were already a stadium act! So when we played Dodger Stadium, they insisted on opening for the Police. It was a very good thing, because they lit the whole stadium up. All we had to do was walk out there and look handsome, and the place was ours. There was that one moment [in the 2008 concert documentary Certifiable] where Dave’s going, “They’ve got lamb. We don’t have lamb.” By the way, he had lamb.
He had many more chops than he ever showed in the context of the Foo Fighters. The singing part came later. He always wanted to do the Klark Kent [Copeland’s 1980 solo debut] band. I said “Look, everyone wants to play the drums on that, can you play guitar or sing?” And at the time I got the impression he didn’t have that. Dave probably pushed him out in the front of the stage. He discovered, the same way Dave did, “Hey, it’s not rocket science. All you’ve got to do is have charisma and you can sing.” Dave and Taylor were so fraternal. They would claw at each other’s jugular veins and hug very soon after. In a way that only brothers can.
As I’m entering my 70th year, I’m an agony aunt for all my brothers of the stick. Never gave him any advice on how to play his darn drums — I would not be so impertinent — but we did talk long into the night about life’s complexities. OK, I’m giving the game away here, but he was a rock star, but also a father of three, husband to Allison. The three kids, Oliver, Annabelle, and Everleigh. And since I have seven kids and five grandkids, I had a couple of words of wisdom to impart. But in that sense, he was extremely solid.
He would come over here to some of our parties. Some of which were daytime sober parties, some of which were nighttime. Some of which were extremely unsober. But I can comment that Taylor never was an out-of-control, or even in-control, party animal. He was a pretty straight arrow, as far as I knew.
I had just finished playing a show with the Nashville Symphony [when I found out he died]. It was just an amazing show. Came offstage, the hotel was a block and a half away. I was in the shower before the audience was out of the building, endorphins pumping out of every pore. I was heading down to the bar, and just as I’m walking out of my hotel room door, I get the text. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, you’re kidding.” I get down to the bar, which is full of a throng of happy cheerful people all saying “Good show.”
The natural endorphins are still going strong, and at the same time just overwhelmed with disbelief and shock. Like I said, Neil saw his train coming and he had a first-class ticket. Nobody saw Taylor coming. He was just a force of life that seemed unstoppable. He was a living thing, not a thing that will ever die. So the suddenness was profound.
The music, of course, is going to be important to a lot of people, but the hang, that’s what I miss. The guy, that laugh, the husky kind of voice that he had, that surfer voice. He was certainly the quintessential surfer dude. Laguna Beach all the way. Was he actually a surfer? I never got a chance to ask him.
I’m so sorry for Allison and those kids. Dave, the band. That’s what makes me get through my day, is how much deeper and more profound, sudden, their loss was. They have a much bigger emotional mountain to climb. But his people who are more just his chuckle buddies, it takes longer to sink in that there’s a hole there. You know that if it had been anybody else, Taylor and I would be on the phone right now, deeply thinking about it. I just miss him.
Stewart Copeland Honors Taylor Hawkins in Emotional Tribute - Rolling Stone
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Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Oscars host Wanda Sykes 'traumatized' by Will Smith slap - Page Six
Wanda Sykes is the second Oscars 2022 host left “traumatized” by Will Smith’s infamous slapping of Chris Rock during the awards show.
“I just felt so awful for my friend Chris,” the comic, 58, said in a sneak peek of Wednesday’s episode of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
“And it was sickening … I physically felt ill, and I’m still a little traumatized by it.”
Fellow host Amy Schumer shared on Instagram earlier Wednesday that she, too, was “still triggered and traumatized” over the incident.
“I love my friend @chrisrock and believe he handled it like a pro,” the “Trainwreck” star, 40, added. “Stayed up there and gave an Oscar to his friend @questlove and the whole thing was so disturbing.”
During her interview with DeGeneres, Sykes also slammed the Academy for allowing Smith, 53, to go back to his seat – and then later accept the award for Best Actor – as if nothing had happened.
“I was like, ‘How gross is this?'” she told DeGeneres, 64. “This is just the wrong message. If you assault somebody, you get escorted out of the building and that’s it, but for them to let him continue, I thought it was gross.”
Sykes joked that when Smith won, she would have liked to run out and say, “Uh, unfortunately Will couldn’t be here tonight.”
The “UpShaws” star added that she and fellow hosts Schumer and Regina Hall, 51, “worked really hard” to put the show together.
DeGeneres then praised Sykes and said, “Again, I want to say what a great job you did because that got overshadowed.”
Sykes also shared that she saw Rock, 57, at Guy Oseary’s afterparty. She said the “Saturday Night Live” alum actually issued her an apology, to which she said, “Why are you apologizing?”
Sykes said Rock told her that it was “supposed to be” her night, adding, “You, and Amy and Regina, y’all were doing such a great job. I’m so sorry this is now going to be about this.”
Sykes said that response was a testament to who Rock “is.” DeGeneres agreed, saying, “Chris is a sweet guy.”
Page Six exclusively reported Monday that Sykes was Rock’s “wingwoman” at Oseary’s party. “He was sitting at Guy’s dining table, and people lined up to console him and offer support,” a spy told us.
Rock has not issued a formal statement on the slap heard around the world.
Oscars host Wanda Sykes 'traumatized' by Will Smith slap - Page Six
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Chris Rock's first comedy show since Will Smith slapped him is sending ticket resell prices way up - CNBC
Actor Chris Rock speaks onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 27, 2022.
Robyn Beck | Afp | Getty Images
Chris Rock has yet to publicly address being slapped by Will Smith during the 94th annual Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday. Fans are banking on the chance that could change Wednesday night.
Rock is set to perform two back-to-back shows at the Wilbur Theatre in Boston, and the anticipation has sent second-market ticket sales soaring, according to social media posts and resell websites.
StubHub, a ticket exchange and resale company, said it saw 25x the daily sales for Rock's shows in the days following the Oscar incident, exceeding cumulative sales for the comedian's tour during the entire month of March.
"At this stage in his tour, on an average day, we'd expect to see a spike in sales in the 24 or 48 hours prior to a show date as last-minute sales roll in – but it is incredibly unusual to see the spike we have experienced," Mike Silveira, a spokesperson for StubHub said in a statement to CNBC.
The jump in sales was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
There are more than a dozen tickets to Rock's Wednesday shows up for sale on StubHub, with prices ranging from $444 per ticket to $1,705. To be sure, those are just asking prices — it's unclear if anyone will purchase seats at those levels.
Users reported on social media that ticket prices soared from as low as $40 from before the incident to the triple-digit price tags after the altercation.
Ticket marketplace TickPick said Monday it sold more tickets to see Rock overnight after the slap than it did in the past month combined.
TickPick has three tickets currently available for the 7:30 show and four up for sale for the 10:00 show. Prices range from $800 to $1,100 each.
Ticketmaster's website says both the 7:30 pm and 10:00 pm shows are sold out. Meanwhile, Vivid Seats currently has four tickets for the 10:00 pm show, with two listed for $768 and two listed for $966.
Chris Rock's first comedy show since Will Smith slapped him is sending ticket resell prices way up - CNBC
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The Wanted's Tom Parker Dies at 33 After Cancer Diagnosis: 'He Fought Until the Very End,' Says Wife - PEOPLE
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The Wanted's Tom Parker Dies at 33 After Cancer Diagnosis: 'He Fought Until the Very End,' Says Wife - PEOPLE
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Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Will Smith was already on edge when he slapped Chris Rock - New York Post
Even before he slapped Chris Rock, Will Smith was on a knife-edge after tolerating months of jibes about his marriage to Jada Pinkett Smith on the awards circuit, multiple sources tell Page Six.
As he took a seat at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood Sunday night, Smith — waiting expectantly to pick up his first Oscar — faced yet another joke about his open marriage to Pinkett Smith, which irked the actor, we are told.
In a tasteless bit earlier in the ceremony, host Regina Hall called up eligible Hollywood hunks on stage. She said, “Will Smith, you’re married but you know what you’re on the list and it looks like Jada approved you, so you get on up here.”
One source close to the Smiths said, “Will and Jada have taken the high road when it comes to ‘stupid gossip’ about polyamory and scientology.
“But they have felt more exposed these past few years and it’s taken its toll.”
They have repeatedly been dogged with questions about their marriage of 25 years during this awards season, and Will is, according to the source, “fed up with it.”
Critics say that’s a little rich, considering Jada has been so up-front about the marriage issues and has even profited off them by discussing them on her “Red Table Talk” show on Facebook.
In 2020, the couple came clean about 50-year-old Jada’s “entanglement” with much younger R&B singer August Alsina, 29, who had claimed that he had an intense affair with the actress.
She admitted that she had been in “a relationship” with Alsina but she added that she didn’t consider it a “transgression” because she and Will were on a break at the time.
Then, in September 2021, Will, 53, told GQ that their relationship had evolved beyond monogamy and “We have given each other trust and freedom, with the belief that everybody has to find their own way,” adding, “And marriage for us can’t be a prison.”
But it’s different for the Smiths when they aren’t controlling the message. While Will missed the BAFTAs earlier this month to stay in Los Angeles for the Critics Choice Awards, host Rebel Wilson quipped that his “best performance in the past year was being OK with all his wife’s boyfriends.”
At the SAG Awards last month, E! red carpet host Laverne Cox told the couple, “We can’t wait for . . . more ‘entanglements.’”
“No more of those,” Jada said repeatedly while Smith, beside her, forced a smile. Sources say the couple are not currently seeing other people.
The Post earlier reported that therapy has helped Will and Jada — who share son Jaden, 23, and daughter Willow, 21 — work through their issues. The actor revealed in his memoir that, after they temporarily split in 2011, he visited a tantric sex expert and tripped on ayahuasca “14 times” to help heal his broken heart.
They’ve been through therapy, and this is where their relationship has landed,” said an insider. “They love each other very much.” Reps for Will and Jada didn’t comment.
But another source close to the Smiths insisted, “Jibes about their relationship doesn’t bother them – especially bulls**t rumors and gossip.”
The source added of Will’s issue with Rock, “This was personal. If someone else would’ve said it, it probably wouldn’t have mattered as much, but this was totally personal stemming from 2016 – and maybe before that.”
Jada – who starred in the “Madagascar” movies with Rock, is said to be particularly hurt by his jokes about her in 2016 and at this year’s Oscars, and Will wants to protect her, the source added.
The Breakfast Club host Angela Yee, on whose show Alsina, 29, first revealed his affair with Jada said of Will’s shocking assault on Chris Rock, “There’s no way that after all the things that have been said, all the jokes made, all the memes, everything — and this joke is the one thing that bothers you?
“I don’t know if it’s just directly at Chris Rock or just directed at everybody. But it just feels like it was a whole entire buildup of all those things and he was just frustrated,” she tells Page Six.
“I think part of the issue is with putting a lot of your business out there…it leaves you open for people to make comments and make jokes about any and everything because . . . the more you know, the more you can weaponize things against somebody.
She continued, “I personally don’t think Chris Rock jokes were so bad. But I guess when you look back at things that Chris said about them in the past maybe they don’t have a good history together.”
Rock poked fun at the Smiths back in 2016 when the A-list couple boycotted the Oscars due to all white acting nominees. “Jada said she’s not coming. I was like, ‘Isn’t she on a TV show?’ Jada’s gonna boycott the Oscars? Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited!” Rock joked.
Yee said that while Jada’s relationship with Alsina happened during a break in her union with Will, and he allegedly knew all about it, he may have felt under pressure to prove himself by defending his wife.
She explained “I see a lot of people who are married who side with Will. Maybe Will was under pressure from Jada to prove his manhood as well. I see a lot of women supporting what Will did and I see a lot of husbands supporting him. But I also see a lot of comedians supporting Chris Rock.”
At this year’s Oscars, Rock made a joke about Pinkett’s bald head. She has been open about her battle with alopecia.
Will initially laughed at Rock’s joke, and Jada rolled her eyes. The camera panned back to Rock onstage, and Oscar insiders said what viewers didn’t see is the look Jada then gave Will.
One Oscar insider said, “Will was laughing at the GI Jane joke then Jada gave him a look that practically ripped him a new a**hole. He realized she was hurt.”
After hitting Rock, Smith won the best actor award for his role as the father of Venus and Serena Williams in “King Richard”. He made a tearful speech where he apologized to everyone except Rock.
The insider continued, “Using the words of Richard Williams to justify his own violence . . . then you go out to the Vanity Fair party, celebrate and rap to your own songs with no hint of regret about the assault – that’s a man who has problems, a sociopath.”
He and Jada were inseparable all night, holding hands after the notorious slap in the Dolby Theater, and later dancing at the Vanity Fair bash with their kids.
Comedian Donnell Rawlings, a close friend of Rock, said Smith likely has a beef with the comic that stretches back for years. Rock has used other, more extensive, material about Will and Jada during appearances at comedy clubs.
Of Rock’s joke about Jada at the 2016 Oscars, Rawlings said, “It’s my understanding that it was something going on with Chris and Will before or during the [Oscars So White] boycott in 2016, so it’s like how much can you push a person?
“It’s like OK we did it in 2016 — yes we could’ve handled it off the mic — but you choose the biggest moment in entertainment to come at me again?”
As Rock told his “GI Jane” joke about Jada, Donnell believes Smith’s reaction was based on his marriage, “In that moment when Will was laughing and Jada was rolling her eyes, you have to realize people hit Will Smith so hard about his relationship with Jada.
“You always got to understand the camera is always on you so smile . . . and probably on the inside something is saying something different — but it wasn’t until she reacted that he was triggered.
“Chris was sharp enough to get the s**t smacked out of him and everybody thought it was a sketch. But when Will said, ‘Keep my wife’s name out your f*king mouth’ Every Black person knows that is fighting words . . . it was a build up – it was like ‘Don’t push me cause I’m close to the edge I’m trying not to lose my head.”
Donnell continued of the slap, “It was one of the most gangsta moments to watch and it turned out to one of the worst moments in Oscar history.”
But not for everyone.
“The ride home between Jada and Will was probably a great for both of them,” Donnell says. “There’s no better sex than you have when you defend your woman’s honor.”
Will Smith was already on edge when he slapped Chris Rock - New York Post
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Zoë Kravitz Calls Out Will Smith Slap at Oscars: ‘We Are Apparently Assaulting People on Stage Now’ - Variety
Zoë Kravitz has shared her disapproval of Will Smith’s controversial evening at the Oscars on Sunday, in which the actor walked onto the ceremony stage and slapped Chris Rock after the comedian said a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith then returned to his seat before shouting “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth!”
The incident between Smith and Rock stunned audiences, both inside the Dolby Theatre and watching from home, as it was not immediately clear whether the interaction was a staged sketch meant to be part of the show’s program.
In a pair of Instagram posts shared on Tuesday afternoon, Kravitz posted captions alluding to the altercation, though “Kimi” actress didn’t mention either Rock or Smith by name.
Kravitz wrote, “here’s a picture of my dress at the show where we are apparently assaulting people on stage now.”
Less than an hour later, “The Batman” star shared another picture of her at the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty, captioned with a bluntly similar message: “And here is a picture of my dress at the party after the award show – where we are apparently screaming profanities and assaulting people on stage now.”
In his subsequent acceptance speech for best actor, Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees, though he did not address Rock during the evening. Smith later released an apology to Rock on Monday afternoon, expressing remorse over his actions.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally,” Smith wrote. “I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”
Zoë Kravitz Calls Out Will Smith Slap at Oscars: ‘We Are Apparently Assaulting People on Stage Now’ - Variety
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Foo Fighters cancel upcoming tour dates after death of drummer Taylor Hawkins - CNN
(CNN)Foo Fighters have announced they are canceling their upcoming tour performances, citing the recent death of the group's drummer Taylor Hawkins.
"It is with great sadness that Foo Fighters confirm the cancellation of all upcoming tour dates in light of the staggering loss of our brother Taylor Hawkins, the band said in a statement to CNN. "We're sorry for and share in the disappointment that we won't be seeing one another as planned. Instead, let's take this time to grieve, to heal, to pull our loved ones close, and to appreciate all the music and memories we've made together. With Love, Foo Fighters."
Hawkins' death was announced last Friday, hours before the group was set to perform a concert in Bogota, Colombia.
The group was next slated to perform at the Grammy Awards on April 3, with global tour dates through the summer.
Foo Fighters cancel upcoming tour dates after death of drummer Taylor Hawkins - CNN
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Foo Fighters Cancel All Tour Dates in Wake of Taylor Hawkins’ Death - Variety
In the wake of drummer Taylor Hawkins’ death on Friday, Foo Fighters have canceled all forthcoming tour dates.
A statement from the group reads: “It is with great sadness that Foo Fighters confirm the cancellation of all upcoming tour dates in light of the staggering loss of our brother Taylor Hawkins. We’re sorry for and share in the disappointment that we won’t be seeing one another as planned. Instead, let’s take this time to grieve, to heal, to pull our loved ones close, and to appreciate all the music and memories we’ve made together.
With Love,
Foo Fighters.”
The band was on tour in South America and about to perform at a festival in Colombia on Friday when Hawkins reportedly complained of chest pains and died soon afterward. While no cause of death has been announced, local medical authorities reported that he had multiple drugs in his system and an enlarged heart.
Foo Fighters had been touring regularly since last spring and were scheduled to be on the road in North America and Europe for most of the rest of this year. They were also scheduled to perform at the Grammy Awards this Sunday — an appearance that was announced the day before Hawkins’ death — but presumably that has been called off as well, although it remains possible that founder/frontman Dave Grohl and other bandmembers could appear at the ceremony to pay tribute to Hawkins. A rep for the group did not immediately respond to requests for further information.
Hawkins, who joined the band in 1997 after two years as Alanis Morissette’s drummer, was a vital element in the Foo Fighters’ sound and image. An imaginative and rock-solid drummer, he had the seemingly thankless task of playing drums behind Foos singer-guitarist Dave Grohl, who is one of the greatest drummers in rock history. Hawkins filled that role with aplomb, bringing his own muscular, time-juggling style to the band’s straight-ahead rock sound without trying to emulate Grohl, even though they shared countless influences, primarily from hard rock, punk and new wave. He was indisputably one of the best rock drummers of the past 25 years.
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) March 29, 2022
Foo Fighters Cancel All Tour Dates in Wake of Taylor Hawkins’ Death - Variety
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Hilaria Baldwin is pregnant, expecting 7th child with Alec Baldwin - Page Six
That’s one heck of a way to end a social media hiatus.
Hilaria Baldwin announced Tuesday that she is pregnant with her and Alec Baldwin’s seventh child together.
“After many ups and downs over the past few years, we have an exciting up and a huge surprise: another Baldwinito is coming this fall 💛. We were pretty sure our family was complete, and we’re beyond happy with this surprise,” Hilaria captioned an Instagram video showing her breaking the news to the other “Baldwinitos.”
“I’m sharing with you the moment we told the kids—as you can see, they are super excited! Our new baby is a very bright spot in our lives. A blessing and a gift during such uncertain times,” she continued, seemingly referencing the wrongful death lawsuit filed against Alec in February over the “Rust” movie set shooting.
“I’ve missed you during my break from social media…I’m back and looking forward to continuing with you this wild journey that we call ‘life.’ Our love to you and your loved ones ❤️.”
Born Hillary Hayward-Thomas, the former yoga instructor and the “Boss Baby” star, 63, are already parents to daughters Carmen, 8, and MarÃa LucÃa, 13 months, and sons Rafael, 6, Leonardo, 5, Romeo, 3, and Eduardo “Edu,” 18 months.
Alec is also a father to daughter Ireland, 26, whom he shares with ex-wife Kim Basinger.
The news of the Baldwins’ expanding family comes as the “30 Rock” alum is in Italy filming his first movie since being accused of shooting and killing “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021.
Alec denied any wrongdoing in legal documents responding to the suit filed by Hutchins’ family, instead blaming other people on set for the mishap-turned-tragedy.
“This is a rare instance when the system broke down, and someone should be held legally culpable for the tragic consequences,” the “Saturday Night Live” alum’s lawyer, Luke Nikas, wrote in an arbitration filing shared by Deadline.
“That person is not Alec Baldwin,” the filing argued, adding that Alec is just “an actor.”
Hilaria and Alec married in June 2012.
Hilaria Baldwin is pregnant, expecting 7th child with Alec Baldwin - Page Six
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Monday, March 28, 2022
Academy 'condemns' actions of Will Smith at Oscars, starts 'formal review' of slapping incident - CNN
(CNN)The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences in a statement issued on Monday condemned the actions of best actor winner Will Smith after the "King Richard" star stormed the stage and slapped presenter Chris Rock in the face during Sunday's Oscars ceremony.
"The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night's show," the statement said. "We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law."
Earlier on Monday, CNN learned that Academy leadership "strongly considered" removing Smith from the Oscars telecast after the incident, according to a source close to the situation.
"Academy leadership strongly considered removing Will Smith from last night's broadcast following the incident. There were immediate discussions but the Academy decision makers were seated in various spots in the Dolby Theater and couldn't mobilize to make a decision before he won best actor," the source said.
Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees during his best actor acceptance speech.
Following the ceremony, the Academy Awards tweeted a short statement about the on-stage incident that read: "The Academy does not condone violence of any form. Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world."
At least a dozen members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the Oscars, met virtually on Monday morning to discuss a response to Smith slapping Rock, according to two sources with knowledge of the meeting.
The meeting was described as "heated" and "divided." There was no agreement on further action, according to the sources.
The dozen members who met on their own volition and are being described as influential and recognizable members of the Academy, including actors and directors. The group does not have any disciplinary power, but they are considered high profile enough that the Board of Governor's for the Academy could be influenced in any response they may have.
Some people on the call said the Academy mishandled the incident with its initial tweet. Others feel that the situation was handled properly and no further steps should be taken, according to the sources who spoke to CNN.
It's unclear if the Academy leadership is planning on meeting to discuss the unprecedented situation. CNN has contacted the Academy for further comment.
The Academy's Board of Governors has the power to discipline members who violate their code of conduct through a vote for suspension or expulsion from the Academy.
Rock chose not to press charges against Smith over the onstage altercation, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
CNN has reached out to Smith's representatives for comment.
There are more than 9,000 voting members of the Academy, comprised of Hollywood artists and film executives.
Academy 'condemns' actions of Will Smith at Oscars, starts 'formal review' of slapping incident - CNN
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Apple TV Plus is first streaming service to win Best Picture at the Oscars - The Verge
CODA has become the first film from a streaming service to win Best Picture at the Oscars, in a sign of the growing dominance of streamers like Apple, Netflix, and Amazon at Hollywood’s most prestigious awards ceremony. The Apple TV Plus film follows the struggles of Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones), the only hearing member in a deaf family, as she tries to explore a life away from her family. Apple acquired the rights to CODA for $25 million in a bidding war after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival last year.
As well as winning Best Picture, CODA’s Troy Kotsur won Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film, and its writer-director Siân Heder also took away the award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Kotsur is the first Deaf actor to have won an acting Oscar since 1986, when his CODA co-star Marlee Matlin won Best Actress for her role in Children of a Lesser God, Variety notes.
Streaming services have seen films nominated for Best Picture several times before, but until now none have managed to take away the coveted top prize. Amazon was the first when it secured a Best Picture nomination for Manchester by the Sea in 2017, although it lost out to Moonlight on the night itself.
Netflix has also seen several of its films nominated for Best Picture, including Roma, The Irishman, Marriage Story, Mank, The Trial of the Chicago 7, as well as Don’t Look Up and The Power of the Dog this year. It picked up the most nominations for this year’s Academy Awards, 27 in total, but only won in the Best Director category for Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog.
According to Variety, Apple reportedly spent over $10 million on its Oscars campaign for CODA, which is more than its entire production budget. CEO Tim Cook welcomed the news on Twitter, calling it a “profoundly beautiful movie” which “celebrates our differences.”
Apple TV Plus is first streaming service to win Best Picture at the Oscars - The Verge
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Music world mourns loss of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins after his death in Colombia - CBS Mornings
Music world mourns loss of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins after his death in Colombia - CBS Mornings
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Sunday, March 27, 2022
Phil Collins bids emotional farewell to fans at final concert - New York Post
Music legend Phil Collins held his last concert ever amid his ongoing health issues.
Collins was joined by Genesis bandmates Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks for their last show ever at London’s 02 Saturday evening. Collins, 71, performed the show sitting down and quipped to the crowd he will now need to find a real job, the Daily Mail reported.
The band reunited for The Last Domino? Tour this year after postponing due to the coronavirus. The tour came after a 14-year live performance hiatus.
Collins has suffered from numerous health issues in recent years, including dislocating vertebrae in his neck in 2007 that left nerve damage to his hands. He has used a cane since 2015, when he had back surgery, and revealed in September he can “barely hold” a drumstick.
“I don’t do anything at all. I don’t practice singing at home, not at all. Rehearsing is the practice,” Collins told the Guardian in September.
“These guys are always having a go at me for not, but I have to do it this way. Of course, my health does change things, doing the show seated changes things. But I actually found on my recent solo tours, it didn’t get in the way; the audience were still listening and responding. It’s not the way I would have written it, but it’s the way that it is,” he continued.
“These guys are always having a go at me for not, but I have to do it this way. Of course, my health does change things, doing the show seated changes things. But I actually found on my recent solo tours, it didn’t get in the way; the audience were still listening and responding. It’s not the way I would have written it, but it’s the way that it is,” he continued.
Genesis first formed in 1967 and skyrocketed to fame in the 1970s, selling more than 100 million records. Collins became the band’s drummer and backing vocalist in 1970, before becoming lead vocalist in 1975.
Phil Collins bids emotional farewell to fans at final concert - New York Post
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