Tori Spelling paid tribute to her late “Saved by the Bell” co-star Dustin Diamond following his death at age 44.
The actor was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma cancer last month. His agent told Fox News that Diamond died on Monday “due to carcinoma.” It didn’t take long for his regular co-stars on the hit sitcom to speak out and eulogize the late star.
Among them was Spelling, who shared a lengthy caption about Diamond on Instagram along with a black-and-white photo of them as children on set. Spelling had a run on in 1990 as the girlfriend of Diamond’s Screech character, Violet Bickerstaff.
“My 1st onscreen love Dustin Diamond got his Angel wings today…” she began her note.
‘SAVED BY THE BELL’ ALUM DUSTIN DIAMOND HOSPITALIZED AS UNDERGOES TESTS, TEAM SAYS: ‘HE’S SCARED BUT UPBEAT’
She continued: “Before there was David and Donna there was Screech and Violet. Dustin was my first on-screen kiss. He welcomed me with open arms onto the set of ‘Saved By the Bell.’”
The “Beverly Hills 90210” actress went on to reveal that Diamond took a special interest in making sure she was comfortable and felt welcome on the show, which she remains grateful for to this day.
TORI SPELLING REVEALS SHE WAS BULLIED FOR HER LOOKS BY ‘INTERNET TROLLS’ WHILE ON ‘BEVERLY HILLS, 90210’
Tori Spelling shared a heartfelt message eulogizing her late co-star Dustin Diamond. (Getty Images)
“As one can imagine being the newbie on a hit show was overwhelming for a 14-year-old girl. He not only showed me around but made sure I was always ok. Such a young gentleman. He was kind, smart, and always making everyone laugh,” she wrote. “He was a great scene partner. He was a really good guy. I’m sad after the show we never had much contact aside from occasionally running into each other at events.”
Diamond’s rep told Fox News that his “brutal, relentless form of malignant cancer” spread quickly in the three weeks since it was diagnosed.
“Dustin did not suffer. He did not have to lie submerged in pain. For that, we are grateful,” he explained.
Spelling ended her note by expressing her relief that Diamond did not suffer.
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“I’m glad he’s out of pain. He’s an icon to me professionally and personally. RIP Samuel love, your Violet,” she concluded.
Diamond portrayed Screech for 13 years. He also starred in several reality TV shows including Season 5 of “Celebrity Fit Club,” “The Weakest Link” and “Celebrity Boxing 2.”
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He made cameo appearances in films such as “Made” (2001), “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star” (2003) and “American Pie Presents: The Book of Love” (2009). In December 2013, Diamond appeared on an episode of OWN’s “Where Are They Now?” and became a house member in Season 12 of “Celebrity Big Brother.”
Fox News’ Stephanie Nolasco and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Dolly Parton twice turned down the highest US civilian honour when Donald Trump offered it – but isn’t sure she’ll accept the presidential medal of freedom from Joe Biden, because it might seem political to do so.
“I couldn’t accept it because my husband was ill,” the country music star, 75, told NBC’s Today of Trump’s first offer, “and then they asked me again about it and I wouldn’t travel because of the Covid.”
In April last year, Parton donated $1m to help research and development of the Moderna vaccine against Covid-19.
Then, she told the BBC: “I’m sure many, many millions of dollars from many people went into that but I felt so proud to have been part of that little seed money that hopefully will grow into something great and help to heal this world. Lord knows we need it!”
Speaking to NBC, she said she had heard from the Biden administration but added: “Now I feel like if I take it, I’ll be doing politics, so I’m not sure.
“I don’t work for those awards. It’d be nice but I’m not sure that I even deserve it. But it’s a nice compliment for people to think that I might deserve it.”
Parton’s charity work spreads far wider than the battle against Covid, including work to boost childhood literacy. She told Today she was “just happy that anything I do can help somebody else, and when I donated the money to the Covid fund, I just wanted it to do good. Evidently, it is.”
Despite a troubled start to the US vaccination campaign the Moderna shot and another from Pfizer BioNTech are in circulation as Biden looks to tackle a problem bequeathed by Trump. As of Monday morning, the US had recorded nearly 26.3m coronavirus cases and more than 443,000 deaths. Biden has said the final death toll could reach 660,000.
The presidential medal of freedom is the highest US civilian honour. Trump gave it to one musician, Elvis Presley, but made headlines late in his term by bestowing it on close political allies Devin Nunes and Jim Jordan, Republican congressmen who backed the president through impeachment and other scandals.
In November, CBS Late Show host Stephen Colbert asked former president Barack Obama, who honoured musicians including James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen, “How does Dolly Parton not have a presidential medal of freedom?”
Obama said: “That’s a mistake. I’m shocked. Actually, that was a screw-up, I’m surprised. I think I assumed that she’d already got one and that was incorrect. I’m surprised, she deserves one.”
Obama said he would “call Biden”. It seems he did.
An Atlanta rapper, known for the 2015 hit song “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” was arrested Monday for the alleged murder of his cousin, according to authorities.
Silentó, whose real name is Richard “Ricky” Lamar Hawk, was charged in the murder of Frederick Rooks, 34, and is being held in DeKalb County jail, authorities said.
Officers found Rooks suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in an Atlanta area roadway on Jan. 21, according to the DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD). He was pronounced dead at the scene.
RAPPER SILENTO CHARGED AFTER ALLEGEDLY THREATENING TWO STRANGERS WITH A HATCHET
A DKPD investigation later identified Hawk, 23, as the suspect, police said.
“Investigators are still working to uncover the motive for the shooting,” according to the department.
Rapper Silento poses for a portrait in New York on July 21, 2015.(Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP, File)
Silentó has a history of legal issues. He was arrested last October and accused of driving 143 mph on a Georgia highway.
RAPPER SILENTO ARRESTED AFTER GOING 143 MPH ON GEORGIA HIGHWAY, TELLS POLICE HE’S NOT ‘A REGULAR PERSON’
In September, the rapper was charged with assault with a deadly weapon after he allegedly attempted to attack two people in their home with a hatchet.
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“Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” rose to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been viewed nearly 1.8 billion times on YouTube.
Fox News’ Tyler McCarthy and Jessica Napoli contributed to this report
For today’s love horoscope by zodiac sign, resident astrologer, and YourTango’s Senior Editor, Aria Gmitter shares how current astrological events affect you on Tuesday, February 2.
Love is something worth fighting for and while Venus spends some time in Aquarius she brings out the rebel in all of us.
For the next 23 days let go of your preconceived notions about what love is supposed to be.
Don’t know what those are? That’s OK.
Coincidentally, Mercury retrograde will have a meeting with Venus, too … and you’re sure to find out if you take the time.
RELATED: How The Sun In Aquarius Season Affects Your Love Horoscope Starting January 19, 2021
Venus in Aquarius during Mercury retrograde invites you to rewind the tape and review it.
You might follow unnecessary rules for love, and it’s time to break them. Love is risky, but it doesn’t need to be boxed in.
That’s the overarching message while Venus is in the zodiac sign of Aquarius – love is freedom.
Love is what you want it to be, and when you live to the beat of your own drum it will enhance your life in big and small ways.
Scroll down to find yesterday’s love horoscopes for each of the zodiac signs on Monday, February 01, 2021.
Yesterday’s love horoscope for Aries (March 21 – April 19)
Venus enters the zodiac sign of Aquarius, your house of friendships.
Venus gets a boost of fixed energy when she enters your house of friendships helping you to be more grounded and yourself when interacting with others.
This is a great time to start looking at how the element of friendship in a romantic relationship can be a powerful tool for closeness and the intimacy that you crave.
When you find yourself trying to connect with someone you love or are getting to know, don’t underestimate the power of being a friend – even when in a relationship – it can lead to something more.
RELATED: Why Aries Is The Most Hated Zodiac Sign
Yesterday’s love horoscope for Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Venus enters the zodiac sign of Aquarius, your house of career and social status.
Venus in a fixed sign is helpful to you and it helps you to understand how your social status can be rooted in the concepts of one on one relationships.
Aim to understand and be understood. Don’t rush when you have something going and you’re anxious to see where it goes.
Try to be reasonable and logical leading with your heart when you can.
RELATED: Best Careers For Taurus
Yesterday’s love horoscope for Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
Venus enters the zodiac sign of Aquarius, your house of higher learning.
Gemini, Venus in an air sign brings out a side of you that is fun and playful and intriguing.
You have an ability to show your curious nature which can be charming when you are most flirtatious.
If you’re single, following your heart can lead you to someone who is like-minded and understand where you’re coming from.
RELATED: What Makes A Gemini Mad?
Yesterday’s love horoscope for Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Venus enters the zodiac sign of Aquarius, your house of shared resources.
Cancer, Venus in Aquarius can bring out your deep sensibility when it comes to preparing your family for difficult times.
This gives you a chance to separate yourself from complex subjects without getting overwhelmed by the what if’s.
This is a good time to start the process of creating a will, and getting other types of paperwork completed that involve life and death matters.
RELATED: Taurus Man And Cancer Woman Love Compatibility
Yesterday’s love horoscope for Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Venus enters the zodiac sign of Aquarius, your house of commitments and partnerships.
Leo, Venus in Aquarius is exactly where you would like for it to be as this brings new love into your life – whether it be through a person, project, or an endeavor that helps you to express your deepest sense of self.
RELATED: 10 Reasons Why A Leo Zodiac Sign Is The Best Friend You’ll Ever Find
Yesterday’s love horoscope for Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Venus enters the zodiac sign of Aquarius, your house of daily duties and health.
Virgo, Venus in Aquarius can give you a little left in energy as you can start to get things done.
You can organize matters from an objective point of view.
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This is a great time for you to spearhead any areas of your home and work life that a partner is a weekend.
RELATED: 25 Best Constellation Tattoo Ideas For Virgo Zodiac Signs
Yesterday’s love horoscope for Libra (September 23 – October 22)
Venus enters the zodiac sign of Aquarius, your house of creativity and romance.
Libra, this is a romantic time for you and it’s a great opportunity for you to put your toe into the relationship waters and see where things go.
Don’t second guess the budding of a friendship as it may prove to be something you cherish and perhaps could be a person you fall in love with.
RELATED: 5 Reasons A Libra Is The BEST Friend You Never Knew You NEEDED
Yesterday’s love horoscope for Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
Venus enters the zodiac sign of Aquarius, your house of family and home.
Scorpio, this is a wonderful time for you to spend with loved ones learning about them and their interest.
Ask lots of questions and show your genuine interest in the lives of the people who are important to you.
Even little things count such as playing with words with friend, texting, and sharing funny jokes – anything that brings laughter to your life is a good thing
RELATED: Everything About the Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces And Their Love Compatibility
Yesterday’s love horoscope for Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
Venus enters the zodiac sign of Aquarius, your house of communication.
Sagittarius, this is when you start becoming more chatty and conversational with others.
You may be more open and transparent about your thoughts and ideas.
Those who don’t know you well may feel as if you are old friends even in a short amount of time.
This is a great time for you to do networking and to socialize with people you would like to know more intimately.
RELATED: 6 Reasons A Sagittarius Will Break Up With You, According To Astrology
Yesterday’s love horoscope for Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
Venus enters the zodiac sign of Aquarius, your house of money and personal property.
Capricorn, this is a good time for you to look at the more practical side of love – money and financial matters.
Perhaps you would like to change how you spend or save for things.
If you have been thinking about doing a joint banking account or talking about merging your assets with a loved one, these next few weeks can be a good time to explore those ideas.
RELATED: 50 Celebrities Born With A Capricorn Zodiac Sign
Yesterday’s love horoscope for Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
Venus enters the zodiac sign of Aquarius, your house of identity.
Aquarius, now that Venus is in your sign with other planets this is a great time for you to start doing some important self-work.
You have many things going for you and with Mercury retrograde – you can evaluate what’s working and what’s not.
Change some of your routines and habits. See how that helps you to feel good when you’re by yourself or with a potential partner.
RELATED: Aquarius In Love: How The Water Bearer Of The Zodiac Shows Affection
Yesterday’s love horoscope for Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Venus enters the zodiac sign of Aquarius, your house of hidden enemies.
Pisces, this is a season of change and growth for you.
Don’t be afraid to pay attention to red flags even those that you would prefer to ignore.
You may find yourself evaluating friendships and recognizing when things have changed and it’s time for you to cut ties.
You may finally find the courage to find new people to hang out with, too.
RELATED: How To Regain Trust With A Pisces Zodiac Sign
Aria Gmitter, M.S, M.F.A., is YourTango’s Senior Editor of Horoscopes and Spirituality. She studies with the Midwestern School of Astrology and is a member of the South Florida Astrological Association.
Dolly Parton said she was offered the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Donald Trump’s administration on two separate occasions, but turned both requests down, according to a report.
Parton, 75, made the revelation during an interview on “Today with Hoda & Jenna,” which will air on Tuesday morning.
“I couldn’t accept it because my husband was ill and then they asked me again about it and I wouldn’t travel because of the COVID,” she said.
DOLLY PARTON RECALLS HEARTWARMING STORY OF HOW HER FATHER USED TO SECRETLY CLEAN HER HOMETOWN STATUE
Dolly Parton performs in concert at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn on July 31, 2015. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP, File)
Parton said she also heard from President Joe Biden about the award — the nation’s highest civilian honor.
In April, the nine-time Grammy-winning artist shared that she donated $1 million to research being done at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.
More than seven months later, it was revealed that the donation made by Parton and the work done by researchers at Vanderbilt during trial phases directly led to Moderna announcing it had produced a coronavirus vaccine that was nearly 95% effective.
Her fans credited her with helping to cure the virus.
“Now I feel like if I take it, I’ll be doing politics, so I’m not sure. “But I don’t work for those awards,” she remarked on the reported offer from Biden. “It’d be nice but I’m not sure that I even deserve it. But it’s a nice compliment for people to think that I might deserve it.”
DOLLY PARTON’S BROTHER RANDY DEAD AT 67: ‘HE WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS’
The “Here You Come Again” singer celebrated her 75th birthday last month, but was met with tragedy on Jan. 21, with the death of her brother, Randy Parton.
News of Randy’s passing comes just a few years after their other brother Floyd Estel Parton died in 2018.
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Last month, New England Patriots head coach, Bill Belichick, declined to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump, seemingly breaking from a friendship with the billionaire business mogul.
Fox News’ Andy Sahadeo, Tyler McCarthy, and Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report
Emmy and Tony winner Hal Holbrook, an actor best known for his role as Mark Twain, whom he portrayed for decades in one-man shows, died on Jan. 23. He was 95.
Holbrook’s personal assistant, Joyce Cohen, confirmed his death to the New York Times on Monday night.
Holbrook played the American novelist in a solo show called “Mark Twain Tonight!” that he directed himself and for which he won the best actor Tony in 1966. He returned to Broadway with the show in 1977 and 2005 and appeared in it more than 2,200 times (as of 2010) in legit venues across the country. He began performing the show in 1954.
He received an Emmy nomination for a TV adaptation of “Mark Twain Tonight!” in 1967, the first of multiple noms. He won four Emmy Awards.
He also drew an Oscar nomination for supporting actor for his role in the film “Into the Wild” in 2008. At the time of the nomination, the 82-year-old Holbrook was the oldest performer to ever receive such recognition.
Holbrook’s craggy voice and appearance lent itself to historical portrayals and other parts that required gravitas. Indeed, he also played Abraham Lincoln, winning an Emmy in 1976 for the NBC miniseries “Lincoln” and reprising the role in the ABC miniseries “North and South” in 1985 and its sequel the following year. Moreover he won his first Emmy, in 1970, for his role as the title character in the brief but highly regarded series “The Bold Ones: The Senator.” He played the commander-in-chief in 1980 film “The Kidnapping of the President”; a senior judge tempted into vigilante justice in “The Star Chamber”; and John Adams in the 1984 miniseries “George Washington.” Much later, he played the assistant secretary of state on a couple of episodes of “The West Wing,” and most recently he played a conservative Republican congressman in Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” and a judge in the 2013 historical drama “Savannah.”
In 1978 he was nominated for an Emmy for his role in a TV adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” as the Stage Manager, another role with which he is strongly associated.
Earlier, he drew an Emmy nomination for a noted role as a man who reveals his homosexuality to his son, played by Martin Sheen, in the ahead-of-its-time ABC 1972 telepic “That Certain Summer.”
He recurred on the late ’80s Linda Bloodworth sitcom “Designing Women” as the boyfriend to his real-life wife, Dixie Carter; his character on that show was killed off so he could take one of the starring roles in another CBS-Bloodworth effort, the Burt Reynolds starrer “Evening Shade,” in which he played Reynolds’ irascible father-in-law. He appeared in 79 episodes of the show from 1990-94.
Holbrook also directed four episodes of “Designing Women.”
In 2006 the actor guested on “The Sopranos” as a terminally ill patient who imparts some wisdom to the hospitalized Tony Soprano.
Holbrook’s inimitable voice, full of a world-weary integrity, was inevitably attractive to documentary makers and feature film directors requiring narration or voiceover. He narrated docus such as “The Might Mississippi” and “The Cultivated Life: Thomas Jefferson and Wine” and movies including 2011’s “Water for Elephants.” He won an Emmy in 1989 for narrating the “Alaska” segment of the “Portrait of America” documentary series.
The actor made a deep impression on the bigscreen as well, playing Deep Throat in “All the President’s Men” — it was he who intoned the famous words “Follow the money!”; a power-mad police lieutenant in the Dirty Harry movie “Magnum Force”; and, in a brief and underappreciated performance, a stockbroker warning of the dangers of ethical lapses in Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street.”
Harold Rowe “Hal” Holbrook, Jr. was born in Cleveland; his mother was a vaudeville dancer. He was raised in South Weymouth, Mass., and graduated from Ohio’s Denison U., where an honors project about Twain led him to develop “Mark Twain Tonight.” Serving in the Army in WWII, Holbrook was stationed in Newfoundland, where he performed in theater productions including the play “Madam Precious.”
Ed Sullivan saw him perform “Mark Twain Tonight” and gave the young thesp his first national exposure on his television show in February 1956.
Holbrook was a member of summer stock legit troupe the Valley Players, based in Holyoke, Mass., and opened its 1957 season with a perf of “Mark Twain Tonight.” The State Dept. sent him on a tour of Europe that included appearances behind the Iron Curtain, and Holbrook first played the role Off Broadway in 1959. Columbia Records recorded an album of excerpts from the show.
On Broadway, Holbrook played the role of the Major in the original production of Arthur Miller’s “Incident at Vichy” in 1964. In 1968 he was one of the replacements for Richard Kiley in the original Broadway production of “Man of La Mancha” despite limited ability as a singer.
As Holbrook approached his mid-80s, he remained a busy actor, including multi-episode appearances on FX’s “Sons of Anarchy” and NBC’s “The Event.” In 2011 he was also in an independent film, the thriller “Good Day for It,” in whose conception he was intimately involved, and he appeared as a science teacher who knows the truth in Gus Van Sant’s anti-fracking film “Promised Land.”
Holbrook’s memoir “Harold: The Boy Who Became Mark Twain” was published in September 2011.
In 2014, Holbrook was the subject of the documentary “Holbrook/Twain: An American Odyssey,” directed by Scott Teems, which premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and depicted Holbrook’s career portraying Twain. Holbrook appeared as Red Hudmore on the final season of “Bones” in 2017, and appeared in an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Hawaii Five-0” that same year. In September 2017, Holbrook announced his retirement from “Mark Twain Tonight.”
Holbrook was married three times. He and Carter were married in 1984 and remained together until her death in 2010.
He is survived by his three children and two stepdaughters, as well as two grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.
On The Bachelor Monday night, Matt James made it clear that he does not stand for bullying.
Following last week’s episode, in which fan-favorite Katie Thurston brought to Matt’s attention the “mob mentality” and toxicity within the house, Matt immediately took action. The Bachelor first took contestant Anna Redman aside to confront her about spreading the rumor that Brittany Galvin is an escort.
“Anna said something that was out of character, but the damage has been done. I’ve seen how words can affect people, and I owe it to these women to create a safe space for them, and that’s what I’m gonna do,” stated Matt after sending Anna home before the rose ceremony.
However, the biggest bully in the house has been this season’s “villain,” Victoria Larson. The self-proclaimed “Queen” has been behind almost all of the drama thus far, and has been dragged by viewers since day one for her delusion and for completely lacking self awareness.
“I hope I don’t get sent home for this,” said Victoria to an off-camera producer. “Literally, there’s no one in here he can marry besides me. Like, I’m literally the best option for him, and, like, I’m the only one with a working brain in this room, and I’m not even being rude. I’m being serious. If he’s gonna believe some idiot over me, he’s not my person, and, like, if that does happen, that’ll really suck, because that’s not the way I wanted to leave this situation, and, like, you know I’ll be so heartbroken, and I’m, like, trying to be positive, but, like, if that happens, I’ll literally die.”
During the rose ceremony, Victoria stated, “I’m not malicious. I have a good heart. Does Matt really want a wife that’s constantly creating drama? Or does he want a wife like me?”
Bachelor Nation was absolutely thrilled when Matt did not give Victoria a rose during the ceremony and instead sent her home.
This is the best episode so far. So happy that Matt is taking care of this house. That was exactly what I needed to see #TheBachelor #bachelorabc
— Jordan Orosco-Keenan (@justjordan1323) February 2, 2021
“I honestly feel so sorry for you that you would listen to hearsay and not all of the facts behind a situation. So goodbye,” Victoria told Matt as the two awkwardly stared at each other for an uncomfortable amount of time.
Later, Victoria shared in her exit interview, “You think I’m gonna go hug him goodbye? No. And he just stared at me. Like, how dare you? He is not my king, and I am still a queen. Matt is a jester. The fact that, like, he chose Katie over me, ugh. Yeah, Matt, I feel sorry for you with your choices. I would be very surprised if the girls are, like, okay that I left. The whole house is gonna feel like s*** that I’m gone. Like, I brought so many people joy. Whatever. Matt’s not the guy for me. I’m never dating another Matt as long as I live. Ever. I hate that name now.”
The eliminations didn’t stop there. On top of Matt cleaning house with Anna and Victoria, MJ Snyder’s fate also remains in question after Matt found out she had coined the term “Varsity” vs. “J.V.” in reference to the original contestants and the new girls. But we’ll have to wait until next week’s episode to find out if she fesses up to it.
The Bachelorairs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.
Watch Katie Thurston being praised for standing up to bullying from other women on ‘The Bachelor’:
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On February 1, the app launched on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store, successfully opening up the database of 60,000 songs and 4 billion playlists to users in Korea. Some of its services include a personalized curating service and the option to enjoy music while being active on other platforms like Instagram and Facebook as well as on devices like LG TV, Microsoft Xbox, and more.
Spotify’s music editor team also revealed unique playlists for Korea. The team continually updates their playlists based on their study of all the playlists created by their 320 million users. As mentioned, Spotify is a frontrunner in recommending music to users on a personalized basis. Some of these playlists include “Daily Mix,” a daily mix of one’s usual favorites and new music, “New Weekly Recommendations,” a playlist that reflects one’s usual music taste updated every Monday, and “Release Radar,” a playlist that recommends new music that might fit one’s preference that updates every Friday.
One thing to note is that music distributed by KakaoM will not be available on Spotify. As the distributing company houses four labels and artists such as IU, this is a great disadvantage to Spotify. KakaoM’s share of music distribution reached 37.5 percent as of last year.
How well Spotify secures music content is a key factor of its competitiveness in the domestic market. Therefore, it is expected that much attention will be paid to how well Spotify secures music contracts. Especially with relationships already established between KakaoM and Melon as well as CJ and Genie Music, it is unclear whether Spotify will be able to acquire music smoothly. In the case of Apple Music, it entered the Korean market in 2016 but failed to make an initial hit due to difficulties in securing domestic music and has shown a low market share ever since.
Park Sang Wook, the managing director of the Korea branch, stated, “We have been working together with artists, labels, and distributing companies to provide a quality of service that will satisfy domestic users and artists.” He also emphasized that efforts will be made to further Korea’s music industry.
Alex Norstrom, Spotify’s Chief Premium Business Officer, said, “We are very happy to announce the official launch that has been long awaited by Korea’s music fans and artists. We will help more Korean artists connect with fans not only in Korea but also around the world. We will work with other players in the industry to provide an excellent music experience for users in Korea.”
Gayle King chats with USA TODAY’s Erin Jensen about working from home, being single during quarantine and why she’s up late some weeknights.
USA TODAY
Gayle King’s daughter is officially a married woman.
In an Instagram post Monday, the “CBS This Morning” host revealed that her daughter Kirby Bumpus quietly married her fiancé Virgil Miller at longtime friend Oprah Winfrey’s house in December.
“FINALLY fav daughter @kirbybump gave me permission to share the news she’s a married lady,” King wrote, along with photos of the newlyweds.
According to King, only six people attended the “super small service,” which followed “strict covid rules.” Guests included King, Winfrey and Winfrey’s partner Stedman Graham.
“I couldn’t even hug her on her wedding day,” King wrote. “that was haaaaard!”
King also revealed that her son, William Bumpus Jr., officiated. She shares both children with her ex-husband William Bumpus.
“The day was gorgeous and so was kirby!,” she added. “I call that perfection… Ps anybody have tips on being a good mother-in-law ?? Im all ears and taking notes!”
King shared more details about the nuptials in an interview with O, The Oprah Magazine, where she serves as the publication’s editor at large.
According to the outlet, Kirby and her husband adapted the ceremony to limit the risk of spreading the coronavirus. Bumpus held fittings for her wedding dress over Zoom with her mother and Winfrey watching remotely, and King didn’t go inside Winfrey’s house to help her daughter get ready, which she said was “really tough.”
Quarantine Diary: Gayle King is playing Zoom games with famous friends, calls singledom ‘difficult’
But getting hitched at Winfrey’s Santa Barbara home did have its perks. According to King, when an unrelated photoshoot at the property was canceled, her family was able to score the photographer.
“Joe (Pugliese) doesn’t normally do weddings, but Oprah just so happened to be shooting something on her property that got canceled at the last minute, so we lucked out and had a professional photographer who followed all pandemic protocol,” she said. “I’m so glad we have those memories, because the photos are stunning,”
King added that her son performing the ceremony also made the day special.
“Nobody knows Kirby the way her brother does, so for him to do the ceremony felt meant to be,” she said, adding that after the reception, guests enjoyed “socially distant hors d’oeuvres and cake, and socially distant dancing.”
“My son, Will, says, ‘We call ourselves a tripod, and that day with Virgil, we became a perfect square,’ ” she continued. “Kirby really is so happy, and nothing beats when your children are happy.”
Celebs wished King and her daughter congratulations in the comments of her Instagram post.
“Gorgeous bride,” wrote director Ava DuVernay. “Gorgeous groom. May they have a gorgeous life together.”
“Mazel Tov,” wrote Andy Cohen.
“oh my gosh!!” wrote Reese Witherspoon. “So happy for y’all!!”
Chris Rock opens up about therapy, his plans to get COVID-19 vaccine in Gayle King interview
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Six people were arrested Monday after scaling steep terrain around the iconic Hollywood sign and strategically changing it to convey what they said was a breast cancer awareness message, according to police.
“HOLLYBOOB,” the sign briefly read, with a big tarp with the letter “B” on it thrown over the “W” and a strategically placed white dash to make the “D” another “B.”
LAPD Capt. Steve Lurie, the Hollywood area commander, said LAPD security personnel observed the five men and one woman on video surveillance about 1:15 p.m. A police helicopter responded to the area, and flight crew were able to watch the group move back down the hill to a location on Mulholland Drive — where other officers and park rangers met them with handcuffs.
The arrestees were not publicly identified and could not be immediately reached for comment Monday.
All six will be cited with misdemeanor trespassing and released, Lurie said. “There’s no vandalism, because the sign wasn’t damaged,” he said.
The site is surrounded by Griffith Park, but is not accessible to the public and is privately maintained by the Hollywood Sign Trust.
A representative for the trust said they were grateful for the fast response from the LAPD.
“It’s unfortunate that such an important icon for the city of L.A. is not being appreciated,” said Mark Panatier, the group’s chairman, who said trespassing to alter the sign is wrong no matter the purported cause.
“This is an icon that’s there for visual reinforcement of the importance of Hollywood, not just for the city of L.A. but to the world,” Panatier said. “It needs to be upheld, it doesn’t need to be demeaned.”
The sign has been changed before. On New Year’s Day 2017, it was changed to read “HOLLYWeeD.”
Steve Alper, 54, a dentist who lives down the hill and owns the vacant Mulholland property where the arrests were made, said he was on his way to grab some lunch when he looked out the window and saw the “HOLLYBOOB” lettering.
By the time he got up to his Mulholland property, the group — who looked to have cameras and other recording gear — were coming down and police were arriving, he said.
“It’s probably just a gag,” he said.
Alper said people trespass on the property all the time, but mostly get scared off by guards or rangers on bullhorns.
