News 9

Camille Kostek may be known for her good looks, but before gracing the pages of Sports Illustrated ‘s Swimsuit issue (four times), she was a reporter and anchor. Now, she’s bringing her skills over to the Wipeout revival, where she’s the host in the field.

How’s the vibe on set between you and hosts John Cena and Nicole Byer?

Have you been tempted to try out the course?

From Publisher: OK Magazine

As activities line up for Summer:

Heading toward the historic debut of surfing as an Olympic sport, Team USA member Caroline Marks is confident she has upgraded her skills since the COVID-19 pandemic brought the pro tour to a halt last year.

“I feel like my surfing’s improved, and my training’s improved. It’s been good. Obviously, I missed competing so much — and I’m so grateful to be back competing,” Marks said Wednesday night during an interview from Australia.

From Publisher: Florida Today

Let’s heat things up a bit:

Celebrities Are Obsessed With The Backless Dress Trend – Oh Kylie Jenner’s Is Insane!

Anyone looking to show some skin this season can go with a backless dress. The trend is far less scandalous than low-cut necklines or teeny-tiny tanks, but still offers plenty of sex appeal.

Don’t believe us? Check out celebs like Kylie Jenner and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley , who have been flaunting their curves in different versions of the backless dress. If you’re ready to channel your inner celeb, we’re calling it now–this trend is going to be everywhere in spring and summer 2021!

From Publisher: SheFinds

Meanwhile:

Ashley Graham declares herself ‘a part time LA baddie’ as she poses in patterned blazer

The plus-size model posted some snaps to Instagram on Wednesday striking a pose in front of a white-walled modern home with the caption: ‘She’s a part time LA baddie.’

Graham, 33, oozed attitude as she leaned against the house wall wearing zig-zag patterned blazer and shorts by Rowing Blazers from its collaboration with Umbro.

Ashley Graham was all smiles as she posed for a series of new shots she shared to Instagram this week. The supermodel wore a laidback look that consisted of a matching shirt and shorts set from Rowing Blazers in a fun zig zag pattern.

Some call BTS’ RM “Mr. President,” others call him the “ God of Destruction .” During one trip to Hawaii, RM gave himself another nickname — Porrnesian Parrapio. In fact, each of the BTS performers gave themselves new stage names during this “Bon Voyage” episode.

Even when they aren’t performing in stadiums across the globe, the BTS idols are traveling together. Bon Voyage is a reality series featuring the BTS members as they traveled around the world. Each season featured a different location, the first being Northern Europe, the fourth being New Zealand.

As each season was released, episodes became available for purchase, although Episode 0 is available without purchased the season, according to BTS Fandom . The first season of this series premiered in 2016, just a few years after BTS’ debut as a K-pop group.

Aloha! The second season of this series featured performers RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook in a new, tropical setting. This season aired on June 27, 2017, and took place in Hawaii.

For over 9 days, these performers traveled to Queen’s Marketplace, Four Seasons Hualalai Palm Grove, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and everywhere in between. During one meal, the BTS members decided to give themselves new names, according to a video .

J-Hope, of course, adopted the name J-Dope. Jin named himself Bread Genie and Jungkook said his name was Justin Seagull. J-Hope named Suga “Yeon Kimin.” Jimin said his name was J-Move, as in “movement.”

“That’s very tacky,” Suga said of Jimin’s name, according to a translation, to which the other members laughed. RM named himself “Porrnesian Parrapio,” whatever that means.

Names like Bread Genie and Justin Seagull didn’t stick, but the BTS members earned several nicknames from fans. RM became the “God of Destruction,” Jungkook became the “Golden Maknae.”

From Publisher: Showbiz Cheat Sheet

BTS hit ‘Boy With Luv’ breaks YouTube views

The music video for the 2019 BTS hit “Boy With Luv (Feat. Halsey)” has earned more than 1.2 billion views on YouTube in another milestone for the K-pop dynamo.

“Boy With Luv,” the main track for the seven-piece act’s sixth EP “Map of the Soul: Persona,” hit 1.2 billion views at 9:48 a.m. on Thursday, according to Big Hit Music, the group’s agency.

The upbeat track, featuring American singer-songwriter Halsey, debuted at No. 8 on Billboard’s main singles chart and stayed on it for eight consecutive weeks.

The EP, which also includes hit track “Mikrokosmos” and “Make It Right” featuring British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, had hit the top spot on Billboard’s main albums chart, making BTS the first group since the Beatles to earn three No. 1s in less than a year.

BTS now has three music videos that have been watched more than a billion times. Its 2018 release “DNA” has earned 1.2 billion views, while Billboard-topping hit “Dynamite” recently broke 1 billion views.

Britney did a little Q&A on her Insta Friday, and the headline was surely assuring everyone she’s OK … and not just OK, but “extremely happy.”

The 39-year-old singer, who’s been under a conservatorship for 13+ years, seemed chill. Many fans tried decoding her penchant for red — i.e., her red fridge — thinking it might be a code red of sorts pleading for help. But, in a Freudian-like way, Brit said sometimes a red fridge is just a red fridge.

Britney says she’s taking a break to enjoy herself, and there was rare, public evidence of that this week when she hit up the Malibu Country Mart for a little shopping.

Britney has said she didn’t like the ‘Framing Britney Spears’ documentary, although she added she only saw bits and pieces of it.

Britney Spears documentary, conservatorship: Everything she’s said

Spears said she’s focused on “keep(ing) my own joy… love… and happiness,” especially through dance: “It takes a lot of strength to TRUST the universe with your real vulnerability cause I’ve always been so judged… insulted… and embarrassed by the media… and I still am till this day.”

Britney Spears officially requested the resignation of her father as her personal conservator, according to documents filed March 23 in probate court in Los Angeles.

She sought to permanently replace him with Jodi Montgomery, a state-appointed conservator who has temporarily acted as her personal conservator since her father relinquished the role in September 2019 amid health issues.

In an attachment, her lawyer sought to ensure that Montgomery would have the power to make medical decisions, communicate with her doctors and have access to her medical records. She also would be able to limit Britney’s visitors with the exception of her lawyer, retain caretakers and security guards on a 24/7 basis, and prosecute civil harassment restraining orders deemed appropriate.

After almost a decade, Evanescence late last month released their latest album via Sony Music Australia .

The result has overwhelmed fans and newcomers alike, with its harder-edged, out and out rock sensibilities surprising even the most diehard of fans. It s an epic, guitar-driven album, accentuated by the unmistakable prowess of vocalist Amy Lee , solidifying her reputation as “one of rock’s defining voices”.

Drummer Will Hunt sat down with HEAVY to talk about the album and what Evanescence has been doing for the better part of ten years.

“Man I tell you what this has been incredible,” he enthused of the album’s reception. “I don’t even know how to explain it… we’re just beyond grateful. The gratitude is immense for how well this record is doing and it’s incredible to think that we haven’t really put out a full-length record in over ten years with new original material and people are just gravitating t it the way that they are. I think even people that aren’t Evanescence fans – legit Evanescence fans – are even enjoying this record. It speaks volumes to the perseverance of the band; the perseverance of what Amy has set out to do and what we tried to do together and we’re really blessed and happy and grateful. It’s incredible.”

Despite the fact that Evanescence have been out of the public spotlight for so long, Hunt says the band always felt confident in the knowledge their enduring fan base would stay loyal.

“We did the Synthesis record in 2017 and we went on tour for that and we thought there might be five people a night at this thing or it might do great and wildly it sold out all over the world. We did two sold-out nights at Sydney Opera House amongst other places and it was perceived as this really cool adventurous thing so I think that gave us the confidence to say let’s just do what we want. There’s no pressure. Let’s just do what we want, make a record that we’re proud of and hopefully, that transcends and I think… without Synthesis we wouldn’t have been able to make this record the way we made it.”

In the full interview, Will talks about the songs on the album and its heavier leanings, the focus of The Bitter Truth after a decade away, the writing process and how it differed from the past, the overall message of The Bitter Truth , the recently released DVD Evanescence: Embracing The Bitter Truth and more.

The 55-year-old posed up a storm for Instagram this Thursday in the same black corset and matching miniskirt she modeled all those years back for the racy video.

Then and now: Shania Twain has revealed she can still fit into the ultra-tight outfit she first modeled in the Man! I Feel Like A Woman! music video all the way back in 1999

While Shania donned a similar jacket to the one she sported in the video, this one appeared to be shorter and thinner.

The hitmaker finished the fun look with an elaborate choker with tassels that did not feature in the iconic video.

However she was still wearing the throwback chic black opera gloves and matching top hat that fans of her music video will remember.

In the video Shania posted to Instagram, the star intercut clips of herself reprising the outfit with highlights of the original video.

The last detail: However the white jacket she chose for her new look appeared to be shorter and thinner than the one from the original music video

Incidentally: Shania made a couple more changes to the look by clasping on an elaborate choker with tassels that did not feature in Man! I Feel Like A Woman

From Publisher: Mail Online

PICTURES: Shania Twain Shows off New Puppy

Shania Twain’s family is growing! The “You’re Still The One” singer recently shared a sweet snapshot of her family’s new puppy, which they named Camper.

Twain’s timing was perfect, as she celebrated National Pet Day on Sunday (April 11) by sharing a photo on Instagram of herself snuggling with her fluffy new pup in front of a stunning lake setting.

“Introducing Camper!! Expect A LOT of puppy videos from here on out,” she captioned the photo, complete with a heart eyes emoji.

Twain, of course, is well known for her love of animals. During last year’s ACM special event Our Country , Twain performed acoustic renditions of her hits including “Honey I’m Home” and “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” while from a horse stable on her home property. One of her horses even stole the show as it nuzzled her while she performed.

In October 2020, Twain celebrated the 25-year anniversary of her album The Woman in Me by releasing a three-CD box set Diamond Edition of the project.

Released in 1995, the album contained “Any Man of Mine,” Twain’s first chart-topping country single. The album also contained hits including “You Win My Love,” “No One Needs to Know” and “(If You’re Not In It for Love) I’m Outta Here!” By the end of 1995, the album had sold 4 million copies. By 1996, the album surpassed Patsy Cline’s Greatest Hits to become the best-selling album by a female country artist—a feat that Twain’s 1997 followup project, Come On Over, would claim in 1999. By 1997, The Woman in Me had earned Diamond Status for shipments of 10 million copies, and has now sold an estimated 20 million copies.

From Publisher: CMT News

Karol G went into the Latin American Music Awards tied with J Balvin for the most nominations with a total of 9. Awards aside, the singer just took over the stage with Mariah Angeliq, blowing away fans with the performance of their new song “El Makinon.” Sitting on opposite sides of the stage at the start of the performance the ladies met in the middle and didn’t need anyone but each other to get down to their song. Their outfits were an amazing mix of masculine and feminine and both ladies rocked high white boxers over their blue baggy jeans with sexy crop tops. Karol G and Mariah had the audience cheering and screaming as they twerked, and teased each other. The fire and intimacy stayed on the stage even after the song ended.

The song is all about independence, breaking the rules, and the power of a woman. Since her recent break up from Anuel-AA it’s clear Karol G is thriving in her independence. The “Bichota” singer started the night strong winning song of the year for “Tusa” featuring Nicky Minaj .

“El Makinon” debuted at number 9 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs and the music video went viral, with over 58 million views to date.

From Publisher: HOLA! USA

All eyes were on Colombian star Karol G, who took the stage to perform “El Makinon” with Mariah Angeliq during the 2021 Latin AMAs on Thursday (April 15).

The two started the performance at opposite ends of the stage but gradually came closer to sing the infectious, head-bopping reggaeton bop. Toward the end of the performance, a troupe of dancers, wearing face masks, joined them onstage for the ultimate girl-power performance.

A focus track from her latest album KG0516, “El Makinon” is about breaking all the rules with the girls. “Makinon,” slang for a big machine, tells the story of a girl who’s been independent since she was 16 years old — and now that she’s older, she can still depend on herself.

This year, Karol and J Balvin lead the list of nominees with nine nods each. She’s up for artist of the year, sharing the category with Balvin, Anuel AA, Bad Bunny, Christian Nodal, Eslabon Armado, Maluma, Ozuna and Sech.

Hosted by Mexican actress Jacqueline Bracamontes, the 2021 Latin AMAs – live from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida – also featured performances from Ozuna, Maluma, Camilo, Los Dos Carnales, Eslabon Armado and here.

From publisher: Billboard

Taylor Swift made an appearance on The Late Show on Tuesday night to set the record straight about who the Stephen is in her song “Hey Stephen” from her Fearless album, which is part of the songbook that is being re-recorded by the singer.

Colbert expressed the opinion that the song is about him and pressed Swift for confirmation. “I recorded that song in 2008, I think I was, like, 18,” she said, dismissing the suggestion. “Right, and I was also a younger age,” said the late night host. Swift then proceeded to tell him the exact age he was in that year: 44 years, 179 days old, give or take several hours.

“Like I said, I’m a big fan,” the singer told Colbert. He then thanked her for sending a signed CD. “Oh, yeah, you know I signed it to you, Stephen with a PH, I sent it to the Colbert Report, 513 West 54th St, New York, 10019, second floor office facing the street.”

Colbert pressed the singer again: “Are you sure ‘Hey Stephen’ isn’t about me?” Swift replied, “It’s just the power of music, Stephen. Good songs make you feel like it’s about you.” Speaking of getting back into the “right headspace” to authentically re-record the song, Swift brought out her old mood board, which consisted of pictures of Colbert.

Yet she continued to explain how the song was not written about him. “‘Hey Stephen’ is not about you any more than my album 1989 is about that year you spent waiting tables on the lunch shift at [an Italian restaurant] in the River North area of Chicago that, by the way, serves a really incredible slice of pizza.” She pointed to a photo of pizza on her mood board.

At this point, Stephen demanded to know who the song is about. “If you really want to know who it’s about, and that seems to be the case, I’ve never revealed this before to anyone, but ‘Hey Stephen’ is about Stephen King,” Swift said.

As the two continued going back and forth, Swift explained what a real song about Stephen Colbert would look like. “It’s too obvious to call it ‘Hey Stephen’ … Songwriting is all about the details so you go, ‘Hey Stephen, I love you on the TV, and all the stuff you did on the Daily Show and that time you were on Law & Order , you’re 5’11, your middle name’s Tyrone, social security number is 3 … “After cutting her off as she called out numbers, Colbert exclaimed, “No matter how much you say that ‘Hey Stephen’ isn’t about me, I keep getting the strong feeling that it is.”

“That seems like a you thing, for you to sort of process. But the thing about that feeling that maybe you should address within yourself; I think it’s something that you should process and then take the feeling that you’re feeling and just ‘Shake It Off.’ Right? But that song, is about you.”

As Swift’s mobile phone begins to ring, she answers the call. “Oh, it’s Stephen King. I have to go.”

From Publisher: The Hollywood Reporter

Liz Phair has announced that her first album in 11 years titled Soberish is set to be released on June 4 through Chrysalis Records.

Phair made the announcement on Wednesday alongside the release of her latest single, “Spanish Doors.” Advertisement

The track is available to stream on YouTube , Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer and Pandora.

“Pushing past the table, spilling my drink/ Locked up in the bathroom, staring at the sink/ I don’t want to see anybody I know/ I don’t want to be anywhere that you and I used to go,” Phair sings.

Phair last released the album Funstyle in 2010. The musician said during an interview with UPI that the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the release of Soberish and that staying indoors made music more difficult to pursue.

From Publisher: UPI

Liz Phair, her full name is Elizabeth Clark Phair is an American singer-songwriter.

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Phair was adopted at birth and raised primarily in the Chicago area. After graduating from Oberlin College in 1990, she attempted to start a musical career in San Francisco, California, but returned to her home in Chicago, where she began self-releasing tracks under the name Girly Sound. She soon landed a recording contract with record label Matador Records.

Her 1993 debut studio album, Exile in Guyville, was released to critical acclaim; it has been ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Phair followed this with her second album, Whip-Smart (1994), which earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

Phair signed with Dave Matthews’ label ATO Records in early 2008 and re-released Exile in Guyville on June 24, 2008, featuring three songs, “Ant in Alaska” and “Say You”.

Phair is due to tour with Alanis Morissette for Morissette’s rescheduled 2020 tour later in 2021.

NBC’s streaming platform Peacock has already given a two-season order to the reimagining of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from director Morgan Cooper and executive producer Will Smith .

As theGRIO previously reported, the project is described as a dramatic retelling “that leans into the original premise of Will’s complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air. With a reimagined vision, Bel-Air will dive deeper into the inherent conflicts, emotions and biases of what it means to be a Black man in America today, while still delivering the swagger and fun nods to the original show.”

Alfonso Ribeiro , who played Carlton Banks on the beloved 90’s sitcom, wants fans of the series to know that the upcoming Bel-Air project is in no way a Fresh Prince reboot.

“A reboot would be taking the actual show and characters and bringing it back,” he said in an interview with E! News . “This is a totally different show. It’s not even based on the show. It’s based on the theme song. It’s a completely different thing. It’s drama. It’s not comedy. I have nothing to do with it so I don’t really know anything more.”

Ribeiro believes the concept of Bel-Air is far more intriguing than a reboot of the comedy series.

“I actually appreciate it even more than a reboot. Let’s take a concept and turn it into a different show. I’m like, roll the dice. Go ahead and try it and see what happens,” he said.

Smith, Ribeiro, along with the late James Avery , Janet Hubert Whitten (and then Daphne Maxwell Reid ), Karyn Parsons , Tatyana Ali , Joseph Marcell and Smith’s rap partner DJ Jazzy Jeff starred on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for six seasons from 1990-1996 on NBC. In September 2020, the cast reunited for an HBO Max special. Smith also had an “emotional reunion and a candid conversation,” with Hubert for the first time in 27 years. The actress played his Aunt Viv before she was replaced by Reid.

“We’re a family and we love each other dearly. It was great to be able to get together and I think the audience will experience kind of what it was like for us to shoot the show, and the chemistry and the connection that we all have,” Ribeiro previously told theGrio .

From Publisher: TheGrio

According to Lizzo, the body-positivity movement is no longer centered on the type of people who created it.

“Now that body positivity has been co-opted by all bodies, and people are finally celebrating medium and small girls and people who occasionally get rolls, fat people are still getting the short end of this movement,” she said.

“Yes, please be positive about your body,” she said. “Please use our movement to empower yourselves. That’s the point. But the people who created this movement — big women, big brown and Black women, queer women — are not benefiting from the mainstream success of it.”

Lizzo capped off her TikTok asking viewers to support people with all body types — not just “these medium girls that you praise.” In her caption, she asked fans to use the movement to empower themselves but also to “protect and uplift the bodies it was created for and by.”

From Publisher: USA TODAY

Body positive Lizzo stops and poses for the cameras after dinner in LA

I would like to appreciate Lizzo today. Because while there are certainly celebrities, many of them, who can’t stand the paparazzi, and they have valid reasons for it, there are other celebrities who aren’t bothered by the paps. And don’t bother pretending they don’t like the attention. Here’s Lizzo leaving a restaurant after dinner in LA last night. When she came out, she posed briefly for the photographers who were waiting outside.

Lizzo is having a good time. She’s enjoying her success. She is claiming the spotlight. She has earned her spotlight. And, by the way, she must be sober by now but she still hasn’t deleted this yet, nor should she. The moments when you can look in the mirror and love what you see are the moments worth keeping.

When Lizzo is getting papped then, when she’s stopping for photographers and not hiding herself, knowing that these photos will be made available the way people with other body types are made available, she understands that these visuals she’s providing are representing a less narrow perspective of who gets to be papped, who gets to be famous, and who gets the attention.

The fact that she grabbed another phone for another shot of V says to me that Lizzo consumes a lot of BTS content on her downtime.