As we reported, in response to the #GrammysSoMale controversy, Recording Academy president Neil Portnow made headlines when he saidwomen in music need to “step up” if they “want to be part of the industry.”
On Monday, the What About Us singer shared a handwritten note on Twitter SLAMMING Portnow’s backward comments as women totally “owned music this year.”
The 38-year-old wrote:
“Women in music don’t need to ‘step up’ — women have been stepping since the beginning of time. Stepping up, and also stepping aside. Women OWNED music this year. They’ve been KILLING IT. And every year before this. When we celebrate and honor the talent and accomplishments of women, and how much women STEP UP every year, and how much women STEP UP every year, against all odds, we show the next generation of women and girls and boys and men what it means to be equal, and what it looks like to be fair.”
Out of all the major categories at the 2018 Grammys, Alessia Cara — who took home Best New Artist — was the only female award winner.
(CNN)Logic put social justice front and center at the Grammy Awards.
Below is a transcript of his remarks in full:
“Black is beautiful. Hate is ugly. Women are as precious as they are stronger than any man I have ever met. And unto them, I say stand tall and crush all predators under the weight of your heart that is full of the love they will never take away from you. Be not scared to use your voice, especially in instances like these when you have the opportunity. Stand and fight for those who are not weak, but who have yet to discover the strength that the evil of this world has done its best to conceal.
To all the beautiful countries filled with culture, diversity and thousands of years of history, you are not s***holes. And, lastly, on behalf of those who fight for equality in a world that is not equal, not just and not ready for the change we are here to bring — I say unto you, bring us your tired, your poor, and any immigrant who seeks refuge. For together, we can build not just a better country, but a world that is destined to be united.”
(CNN)At least one member of the Trump administration wasn’t laughing at a skit involving Hillary Clinton.
“I have always loved the Grammys but to have artists read the Fire and Fury book killed it. Don’t ruin great music with trash. Some of us love music without the politics thrown in it,” the ambassador tweeted.
Clinton wrapped up the skit that had musicians auditioning to read the audio version of Wolff’s book, “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House.”
Haley told Politico’s podcast “Women Rule” last week that a rumor she carried on an affair with Trump that was sparked by Wolff is “disgusting” and illustrates the kinds of accusations women in the workplace face. The rumor has not been verified by CNN. Haley, who was South Carolina’s first female governor before taking a role in the administration, said she has had to weather similar attacks and salacious rumors throughout her career in politics.
Haley’s tweet wasn’t the only one from the President’s orbit. His son, Donald Trump Jr., tweeted his displeasure as well as some snark at the two-time candidate for president.
“Getting to read a #fakenews book excerpt at the Grammys seems like a great consolation prize for losing the presidency. #GrammyAwards,” tweeted the President’s eldest son.
The release of the black-and-white video, which shows the singer emotionally gesturing to the lyrics, came with a donation to UNICEF. Pink, a UNICEF Ambassador, shared in a press release she would be making a donation “in all of your names” to the organization that “supports and empowers women and children around the world.”
As for the video, not much goes on aside from the 38-year-old rocking her daughter Willow — and unapologetically showing off some nippage through her tank top. Empowering!
(CNN)Hillary Clinton made a surprise appearance on Sunday night in a Grammy Awards comedy bit that took a jab at President Trump.
The bit shows Grammy host James Corden holding auditions for the book reading in hopes of nabbing next year’s best spoken word album with famous musicians trying out for the coveted role.
Clinton’s face was covered by the book when she first appeared on screen in the pre-taped sketch, but the crowd cheered when she lowered the book to reveal her face.
Clinton read the famous line about Trump’s love for fast food: “He had a longtime fear of being poisoned. One reason why he liked to eat at McDonalds. No one knew he was coming and the food was safely pre-made.”
Powerful, political moments at the Grammys
The sketch has already drawn the ire of at least one prominent White House figure. US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley fired off a tweet on Sunday night shortly after the bit aired.
“I have always loved the Grammys but to have artists read the Fire and Fury book killed it,” Haley tweeted. “Don’t ruin great music with trash. Some of us love music without the politics thrown in it.”
Haley took to the radio waves on Thursday to say that a rumor sparked by the book is “absolutely not true,” referring to a detail in “Fire and Fury” that alleges that she carried on an affair with President Trump.
“Fire and Fury” has sold 1.7 million copies, according to publisher Henry Holt & Co. The book has had remarkable staying power. It held onto the No. 1 spot on Amazon’s best selling books list for almost the entire month of January. Over the weekend, it slipped to No. 2 — but the Grammys may give it another shot of publicity.
On Thursday’s episode of Ellen, the Modern Family star chats with
Recently, the Married… with Children alum attended costar Sarah Hyland‘s birthday party where he was approached by a “pretty girl” who he knew was famous, but was unable to put a name to a face.
After taking a selfie with the unknown celebrity, O’Neill sent the pic to his daughter who later identified the woman to be…
Sir Elton John is set to make an announcement about his future career at a press conference on Wednesday.
The star is expected to reveal plans for a new venture after his Las Vegas residency ends in May after six years.
British newspaper The Mirror has reported the 70-year-old will announce his final world tour.
His representatives would not confirm the report before the press conference, which will take place simultaneously in New York and London.
‘Finally decided my future lies…’
Sir Elton has sold more than 200 million records over his career and is one of the world’s most in-demand live performers.
Last year, he was forced to cancel nine shows in Las Vegas and California because of a bacterial infection he contracted during a South American tour.
Sir Elton’s management said the “potentially deadly” infection forced him to spend two nights in intensive care in April and to cancel concerts in the US.
However he played 87 shows throughout 2017, including dates in Europe and Australia, as well as his demanding Las Vegas show, The Million Dollar Piano.
Image copyrightEltonJohn.com
He also appeared as himself in action movie Kingsman: The Golden Circle last year.
The star is due to perform a duet with Miley Cyrus at Sunday’s Grammy Awards. He will also host a special concert in his honour at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, with guest stars including Sam Smith, Chris Martin, Kesha, John Legend and Keith Urban.
He is currently working on a Broadway musical based on The Devil Wears Prada, as well as the live action version of Disney’s The Lion King and the animation Sherlock Gnomes, produced by his own production company.
Visitors to Sir Elton’s official website are currently being met with a countdown to Wednesday’s press conference, and the words “I’ve finally decided my future lies…” – a reference to lyrics from his hit Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
One minute I’m on Platform 9 3/4 – the next I’m flung into the 1970s @ King’s Cross station being serenaded by @eltonofficial . Big news ahoy – I suspect Elton is going virtual… #VR future lies beyond the yellow brick road 👠🎹🚀⭐️🎫🕺🏿#EltonEvent#EltonJohnpic.twitter.com/PJZrWXxkUT
The announcement was preceded by a stunt at London’s Kings Cross Station, where fans could sit at a grand piano and play alongside an “augmented reality” Sir Elton.
That, combined with the fact that Wednesday’s press conference takes place at YouTube’s headquarters, suggests there will be a tech aspect to the star’s announcement.
A teaser on Sir Elton’s Twitter feed featured video of his career-making shows at the Las Vegas Troubador in 1970, with the text “a wrinkle in time, past meets present”.
“Some people relish the idea of a retirement where they do nothing [but] for Elton that would be purgatory.”
However, he added: “I think given our commitments to our kids and our family – and now our boys are nearly seven and five and at that point where they need you present more than ever – it’s important we’re there to support them. So that will have an impact on what we do.”
While the joke surely drew some laughs, members of President Donald Trump’s administration and his family apparently didn’t appreciate the humorous skit.
I have always loved the Grammys but to have artists read the Fire and Fury book killed it. Don’t ruin great music with trash. Some of us love music without the politics thrown in it.
Those two weren’t the only took issue; across the board, conservatives were bothered by the anti-Trump tone of the show.
These award shows are a perfect example of how out of touch the celebrity elite are with the average American. While they are mocking Donald Trump, he is busy working for the American people and winning for the AMERICAN people. #Grammys
But both Trump. Jr and Haley have some specific not-so-pleasant feelings about Fire & Fury.
In the book former White House adviser Steve Bannon called Trump Jr.’s meeting with a Russian lawyer in 2016 “treasonous” and said Special Counsel Robert Mueller would “crack Don Junior like an egg on national TV.” Bannon’s comments led to a very public falling out with the Trump administration.
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As for Haley, the book has led to rumors that she was having an affair with Trump—something she called “highly offensive” and “disgusting” during a recent interview with Politico.
Wendy Williams was pretty clear about what she thought about the #MeToo movement during her syndicated talk show on Friday.
“I’m sick of this #MeToo movement,” Williams said just over 15 minutes into her daytime show’s “Hot Topics” segment. “I love that people are speaking up for the first time and coming out and everything, but now it’s got — I look at all men like, ‘You’re a #MeToo.’ All of them. All of them, which is not fair.”
“The #MeToo movement hasn’t affected R. Kelly,” she said. “R. Kelly wasn’t a ‘me too.’ Aaliyah voluntarily married him when she was 15 years old. Her parents voluntarily let her do it.”
Williams also mentioned the R&B singer’s infamous sex tape, saying that the young girl featured in the video “let it go down.” (Kelly’s lawyer called the tape a forgery.)
People on Twitter were especially upset about this comment.
In July, Kelly was also the subject of a BuzzFeed investigation that reported the singer was holding multiple women in an abusive sex cult against their will. Kelly denied the accusations.
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