Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon's Thelma & Louise, John Hughes' classic The Breakfast Club, the Barbra Streisand-starring Funny Girl, the 1990 LGBT documentary Paris Is Burning and Disney's animated blockbuster The Lion King are among 25 films being added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress, EW.com reported. The Librarian of Congress chooses the list each year after consulting with members of the National Film Preservation Board and a number of Library specialists.
Orange Is the New Black's Danielle Brooks was disappointed that there were no curvy women among the finalists selected to be a part of this season of America's Next Top Model, according to People. "As a plus woman, being seen only 1 percent of the time is a real thing. Period. After watching #ANTM last night I was super excited to see my girl Ashley Graham, but bummed out not to see any plus contestants," Brooks posted on Instagram. Brooks commended the show for having a diverse cast, but feels it was a missed opportunity to not include a curvy model.
Madonna talked about her struggles as a woman in a male-driven industry as she accepted the Billboard award for Woman of the Year after more than 30 years in the business, and also noted how many of her fellow music icons have died, according to a New York Daily News item that cites Billboard. In part, she said, "Thank you for acknowledging my ability to continue my career for 34 years in the face of blatant sexism and misogyny and constant bullying and relentless abuse." She added, "Michael is gone, Tupac is gone, Prince is gone, Whitney is gone, Amy Winehouse is gone. David Bowie is gone. But I am still standing. The most controversial thing I have ever done is to stick around."
Lady Gaga didn't take it lightly when Piers Morgan insinuated that she and Madonna lied about being sexual assault survivors, Page Six noted. After Gaga, 30, complimented Madonna, 58, on her Billboard Women in Music speech describing her harrowing experience of being raped, Morgan tweeted Monday, "I remain sceptical [sic] about Madonna & Lady Gaga's claims." Gaga replied, "I've work [sic] w/ our VP Joe Biden on helping educate people about why women don't report, would love to share it w/ you some time. ... There is a mental health youth epidemic. if anyone in your family suffers from it, I pray they have more good days than bad. It has affected me & my whole family."
Speaking of Gaga, she ( along with singers such as Michael Buble and k.d. lang ) took part in an all-star concert to help Tony Bennett celebrate his 90th birthday back in September—with the show airing on NBC Dec. 20, according to Billboard. Gaga sang "The Lady Is a Tramp," Buble performed "The Good Life," lang sang ""A Kiss to Build a Dream On" and Rufus Wainwright entertained with "I Can't Give You Anything But Love."
MSNBC quietly pulled the plug on its afternoon show, Live With Thomas Roberts, after a run time of less than two years, Page Six revealed. The openly gay Roberts was brought on to do the two-hour show last year to replace the much-hyped but low-rated Ronan Farrow Daily. Page Six exclusively reported that after Farrow's show was axed, he was moved to a role as an investigative reporter, but his desk and cubicle were still on-camera during Roberts' show.
Out gay singer Billy Gilman made it to the finals of The Voice—but Sundance Head won the championship, EW.com noted. Head beat out Gilman, We McDonald and Josh Gallagher for first place, bringing Blake Shelton his fifth win as a coach. Head had his first singing competition go-round on season six of American Idol, where he made it through the first several rounds, only to be cut right before the Top 12. The Voice will return in February for season 12 with Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Alicia Keys and Gwen Stefani as coaches.
Actor Shemar Moore said he doesn't mind gay rumors, The Huffington Post noted. In a recent interview with BET, Moore explained why he has chosen to refute rumors about his sexuality publicly on social media. "I just think it's all silly. If you're gay, you're gay. I'm not, and I know that and I'm very comfortable with who I am and I love women," he said. "I've dated plenty of them. If you think I'm gay, send your girlfriend over to my house for the weekend and see what happens."
Opera singer Jackie Evancho, 16, who will be singing the national anthem at Donald Trump's inauguration, is facing an onslaught of criticism because she has a transgender sister, The Washington Blade noted. Her sister Juliet, 18, came out as transgender at Global Lyme Alliance's inaugural gala last year. According to the Huffington Post, Juliet is also one of three transgender students suing a Pennsylvania school district over restroom access for transgender students. Jackie has also performed twice for President Barack Obama.
In related news, music-industry bigwig David Foster is playing a pivotal role in organizing Donald Trump's inauguration, Page Six reported. Insiders say that, even though the super-producer supported Hillary Clinton in the election—and was spotted hobnobbing with her at the Polo Bar during a date with Christie Brinkley—he is a longtime friend of Trump and has been wrangling talent to perform at the January event.
Barbra Streisand—who made history earlier this year when she hit number one on the Billboard 200 album chart for the 11th time—is wrapping up 2016 with a concert-tour gross of $46 million, Broadway World noted. Billboard reported that she earned $10.7 million alone in ticket sales from concerts in Houston, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami this fall on her The Music...The Mem'ries...The Magic! tour. Streisand also visited nine cities over the summer before the August release of her album Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway.
The nominees for the NAACP Image Awards were announced, with Nate Parker of The Birth of a Nation and Atlanta star Donald Glover receiving three noms apiece ( for writing, acting and directing ), Deadline noted. Beyonce led all nominees with nine including in the marquee Entertainer of the Year category, where her fellow nominees include Viola Davis, Regina King, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Chance the Rapper. Winners for the 48th Image Awards will be announced Feb. 11 at ceremony airing live on TV One; the awards recognize the year's best in film, TV, music and books.
Amiyah Scott's time on"The Real Housewives of Atlanta may have ended prematurely, but the transgender model has moved on to a higher-profile new show that's also set in Atlanta: Oscar-nominee Lee Daniels' new show Star, ProjectQ.us reported. The show premiered Dec. 14 on Fox. Queen Latifah stars as three young singers' surrogate mom, Carlotta, while Scott plays Cotton, Carlotta's daughter; like Scott, Cotton is transgender.
Dolly Parton's star-studded "Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund" telethon raised nearly $9 million so far, USA Today noted. "I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the people who have donated from all over the country and to my friends who donated their time, their talent, and money for My People," Parton said in a statement. The telethon aired Tuesday on a host of networks, including GAC, AXS-TV and RFD, and featured more than 20 live and pre-taped performances from stars ranging from Cyndi Lauper and Don McLean to Parton, Kenny Rogers, Chris Young, Chris Stapleton and Reba McEntire.
Big Freedia twerks her way through Christmas on her new EP A Very Big Freedia Christmazz, Rolling Stone reported. The Queen of Bounce reworks classics and supplies two original holiday tunes on the uptempo new collection. Freedia sings "Rudy, The Big Booty Reindeer," and reworks non-Christmas tune "Mr. Sandman" with "Santa Is a Gay Man." She has regularly debuted new music since 2014, however, appearing in the video for Beyoncé's "Formation," which Rolling Stone named the best song of 2016.
While rapper and designer Kanye West stole headlines for taking a meeting with Donald Trump at Trump Tower in Manhattan, sources say that Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour also visited the president-elect—just a few days after she issued an apology for making critical comments about Trump's foundation that were overheard on a crowded train, Racked.com noted. Wintour publicly backed Hillary Clinton before November's election, hosting fundraisers for her campaign and helping to rally the fashion industry around the former Secretary of State; Vogue, which had never endorsed a candidate before this year, published a letter staking its support of Clinton.
In Oprah Winfrey's new cookbook—Food, Health and Happiness, out on Jan. 3—she recalled how Joan Rivers pointed out her weight gain during Winfrey's national television debut on The Tonight Show, People noted. "It was all going smoothly; I was starting to settle in. And then it happened: Joan interrupted with perhaps the only question I hadn't prepared for: 'So how'd you gain the weight?'" Winfrey writes in the excerpt, which she shared on her website. Winfrey says she went back to Chicago, determined to lose 15 lbs., and started the first of many diets—but eventually realized that the reason she turned to food for comfort was because of lack of love as a child.
Adele won Album of the Year and Song of the Year at the BBC Music Awards at ExCeL London for 25 and its lead single, "Hello," EW.com noted. Adele, who is still touring, was not in attendance; however, pop singer Robbie Williams accepted on her behalf. "Thank you for this award. I feel a bit bad winning it when the album's been out for so long, but nevertheless, you know I love you. Always have and always will," Williams read before adding his own comments.
Los Angeles-based comedian and musician Bill Posley has released three episodes of his new web series, By the Bi, which explores his experiences as a bisexual man in a world that wants easier labels for everyone, Advocate.com noted. In the introduction to the first video, Posley explains, "My name is Bill and I've created a web series about being bisexual. Now, I don't speak for all bisexuals. This is just my personal experience. I made this because I don't actually see this point of view out in the world all that much."
Out fitness guru Jillian Michaels has revealed her holiday idea list, AOL News noted. Among the items are Powerbeats 2 wireless earbuds, anything from Society6.com, any healthful membership, Moxi Jungle Roller skates, the Apple watch, Jane Iredale cosmetics, charity gifts and, of course, her book Yeah Baby.
Miramax has acquired U.S. distribution rights to I, Tonya, the drama that has Margot Robbie set to play disgraced figure skater Tonya Harding, Deadline noted. Harding won the 1991 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and second in the World Championships, and was set for a showdown against fellow U.S. skater Nancy Kerrigan at the 1994 Winter Olympics. The fairy tale turned nightmarish after Kerrigan was attacked by thugs who tried to break her leg. It turned out the culprit was Harding's husband, who implicated his wife as he tried to stay out of jail.
A cult movie title, 1974's Foxy Brown ( which starred Pam Grier ), is headed to television a with a TV series adaptation starring Meagan Good in the iconic role, Deadline noted. In a competitive situation, the project, executive-produced by DeVon Franklin and Tony Krantz, has landed at Hulu for development. MGM TV is the studio.
Following on the heels of its drama Feral, international gay-subscription streaming service Dekkoo will release its second original series, Love Is Blind, on Feb. 14, a press release noted. Love Is Blind follows 16 single New York City men on eight first dates. Comedian Mike Kelton ( Logo/MTV/VH1 ) will provide running commentary and "in-depth" analysis throughout each episode.
Lauren Jauregui of Fifth Harmony was busted for alleged marijuana possession, Page Six noted. The "Work From Home" singer was stopped by the TSA at Washington Dulles International Airport after an employee allegedly found marijuana in her luggage before a scheduled flight to perform in Brazil, TMZ reported. Jauregui was in the news in November when she came out as bisexual.
Speaking of Fifth Harmony, the remaining four ladies of the group are setting the record straight on Camila Cabello's departure, E! News noted. Almost exactly 24 hours after news broke that the singer would be leaving the girl group, Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane Hansen, Lauren Jauregui and Normani Kordei penned a lengthy letter on Instagram explaining their side of the events. The ladies confirm that in mid-November, they were informed by Cabello's manager that she would be leaving the group. At the same time, they were informed thata recent iHeartRadio Jingle Ball performance would be her last with the group.
After a tense standoff over salary, Shameless star Emmy Rossum has closed a new deal with Warner Bros. TV, Deadline noted. With her on board, the dramedy, which already had secured co-lead William H. Macy with a new contract, is fully expected to snag a season-eight renewal by Showtime. Shameless is the highest-rated Showtime series among adults 18-49 and is the second most watched behind Homeland in Live+ same-day ratings.
In an upcoming half-hour Food Network special Jonas Restaurant: Family Style, viewers are taken behind the scenes of the opening of their family restaurant Nellie's Southern Kitchen in Belmont, North Carolina, People.com noted. The comfort-food eatery, which opened its doors this past June, was an undertaking for the brothers' parents, Kevin Sr. and Denise, who dedicated the establishment to the boys' great-grandmother, Nellie. Jonas Restaurant: Family Style airs Dec. 26 at 6 p.m. CT on Food Network.
A vault of previously unheard solo music by late INXS singer Michael Hutchence has been mixed, and its release has been given the go-ahead by his sister and the Hutchence estate, News.com .au noted. Michael Hutchence's sister Tina told news.com .au it was "magic" when she first heard the music. Although recorded more than 20 years ago ( Michael died in November 1997 ), Tina says U.S. music producer Danny Saber ( who has worked with Madonna, U2 and The Rolling Stones ), along with Australian entrepreneur Ron Creevey, invited her to listen to the never-heard-before tracks.
A contestant on American Idol sued the producers of the show claiming that he suffered major ear damage when an audiologist's representative took out an earpiece he was wearing and part of his eardrum was removed, Variety noted. The contestant, Michael Simeon Smith, claims that on Dec. 12, 2014, he was getting ready to perform for the show and was fitted for an earpiece in his right ear, along with silicone or molding material. He "immediately felt pain," according to the lawsuit, and when the audiologist's representative pulled it out, a portion of his eardrum was removed.
Two months after announcing their engagement, Ryan Lochte and Playboy model Kayla Rae Reid announced that they're going to be parents, Page Six noted. The Olympic swimmer made the baby announcement with a romantic underwater shot. Over the summer, Lochte, 32, fell from grace after he lied about being robbed at gunpoint at the Rio Olympics; he later competed on TV's Dancing with the Stars.
