Biden signs gay marriage bill at White House ceremony
WASHINGTON — (AP) — President Joe Biden signed gay marriage legislation into law Tuesday before a crowd of thousands, a ceremony that reflected growing acceptance of same-sex unions. Plaintiffs from lawsuits that originally helped secure the nationwide right to gay marriage were also there. Lawmakers crafted a compromise that was intended to assuage conservative concerns about religious liberty, such as ensuring churches could still refuse to perform gay marriages. Tuesday's ceremony marks another chapter in Biden's legacy on gay rights. By the time of Biden's 2012 interview, gay marriage remained controversial, but support had expanded to roughly half of U.S. adults, according to Gallup.
wftv.comBiden signs same-sex marriage bill into law: 'Today is a good day'
President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act at a White House ceremony Tuesday, establishing federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages. “Today is a good day,” Biden said. “A day America takes a vital step toward equality, toward liberty and justice, not just for some, but for everyone. If Obergefell were to fall, individual states would be allowed to decide their policy on same-sex marriage, just as this summer’s overturning of Roe v. Wade allowed states to regulate abortion access. “That’s why the people you heard speak today continue to fight to pass the Equality Act.
wftv.comNew this week: Lizzo, 'Criminal Minds' and 'The Woman King'
This week’s new entertainment releases include an live posthumous album from Tom Petty, the criminal profile spinoff series “Criminal Minds: Evolution,” a documentary about the plucky Mars Rover Opportunity and a TV series that focuses on the backstage melodrama at the Chippendale’s male strip clubs.
Reports: Cyndi Lauper’s son arrested in NYC after police find him in stolen car
NEW YORK — The son of two-time Grammy Award winner Cyndi Lauper was arrested on Thursday after police said he was found sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle that had been reported stolen, according to published reports. >> Read more trending newsDeclyn “Dex” Thornton Lauper, 24, was charged with one felony count of unauthorized use of a vehicle, People reported. Cyndi Lauper's Son Declyn Arrested After Police Allegedly Found Him Inside a Stolen Car https://t.co/ZovDzcj6mk — People (@people) July 17, 2022After running a computer check, police determined that the car had been stolen, the news outlet reported. According to TMZ, the car was reported stolen two years ago and the plates were registered to a different vehicle. The Laupers and Thornton previously appeared together on the singer’s reality series, “Cyndi Lauper: Still So Unusual,” which aired for one season in 2013, according to People.
wftv.comGenerations sing to Joni Mitchell in pre-Grammys tribute
31st Annual MusiCares Person of the Year - Show Joni Mitchell accepts the Person of the Year award at the 31st annual MusiCares benefit gala on Friday, April 1, 2022, at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (Chris Pizzello)LAS VEGAS — (AP) — An 81-year-old jazz giant and a 15-year-old rock singer were the first to perform tributes to Joni Mitchell on Friday night. “When I first heard Joni Mitchell it was 1968 and I was 15 years old,” Cyndi Lauper, now 68, said. “We helped shepherd artists to their Joni songs, the ones that their souls connected to,” Carlile told the AP. The MusiCares Person of the Year is a career achievement award handed out for a combination of inspiring artistic accomplishments and philanthropy.
wftv.comKhan, Lauper, Beck to play MusiCares Joni Mitchell tribute
Music-Grammys-Joni Mitchell FILE- Joni Mitchell arrives to the Hammer Museum's "Gala In The Garden" taken in Los Angeles on Oct. 10, 2014. Chaka Khan, Cyndi Lauper and Beck and many others will be among those performing in tribute to Joni Mitchell when she’s honored as the 2022 MusiCares Person of the Year by the Recording Academy (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP, File) (John Shearer)LAS VEGAS — (AP) — Chaka Khan, Stephen Stills, Sara Bareilles, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Porter and Beck will be among those performing in tribute to Joni Mitchell when she’s honored as the 2022 MusiCares Person of the Year by the Recording Academy. Batiste, this year's top Grammy nominee with 11 nods, and Carlile, who is up for five, are serving as musical directors for the Mitchell tribute. Past MusiCares honorees include Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton and Aerosmith. The gala concert and dinner raises funds for the programs of MusiCares, the Recording Academy charity that provides health and welfare services to musicians in need.
wftv.comLil Nas X, Justin Bieber top star-packed MTV VMAs
2021 MTV Video Music Awards - Show Lil Nas X performs "Industry Baby" at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) (Charles Sykes)Lil Nas X won video of the year at Sundays MTV VMAs on a night that Justin Bieber triumphantly returned to the stage as a performer and as winner of the artist of the year. But much of the early show belonged to Bieber, who was the leading nominee going into the ceremony. He also gave thanks to the director of the song's music video, despite their squabble on set. BTS, Doja Cat, Drake, Giveon, Lil Nas X and Rodrigo each have five nods.
wftv.comJay-Z, Cyndi Lauper, "Schoolhouse Rock" added to National Recording Registry
Library of Congress' list of recordings to be preserved for future generations includes music by Cab Calloway and Earth Wind & Fire, the Broadway musical "Hair," and the radio series "Gunsmoke" (with audio samples)
cbsnews.comStill divisive, Dr. Luke resurges at Grammys — as Tyson Trax
Dr. Luke appeared as Tyson Trax on the Grammy ballot for Doja Cat's Say So," which he produced and co-wrote. But not all of the academy members may have been aware they were voting for Dr. Luke when they completed their ballots this year. Ad“I didn’t know that Tyson Trax was Dr. Luke. AdTogether, Martin and Dr. Luke crafted hits for Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Pink and Kesha, who he signed in 2005. Eventually Dr. Luke stepped into the forefront, helming successes for Miley Cyrus, Pitbull, Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida, logging 17 No.
Joe and Jill Biden to appear on 'New Year’s Rockin’ Eve'
FILE - In this May 14, 2019 file photo, Ryan Seacrest attends the Walt Disney Television 2019 upfront in New York. This week, he will return to New York's Times Square to host Dick Clark New Years Rockin Eve. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – Ryan Seacrest will have a special pair of guests alongside the music stars at this year's New Year's Eve celebration on ABC — the president-elect and the future first lady. President-elect Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden are scheduled to give “their last interview of the year” in New York’s Times Square on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021.”The Bidens will "share an inspiring message as we come together to close out 2020 and look ahead with hope to 2021,” according to a statement by the producers. “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021" will run until 2 a.m. Eastern on Jan. 1.
Gloria Gaynor to perform at Times Square New Year's Eve
Gaynor will sing her anthem, "I Will Survive" during the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square as a celebration of perseverance, honoring essential workers. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – The New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square will be a celebration of perseverance, honoring essential workers and featuring Gloria Gaynor singing her anthem, “I Will Survive," organizers said Tuesday. The broadcasts that usually set up shop in Times Square will be there, including “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021,” which will have a performance from Jennifer Lopez. Organizers said they would be honoring essential workers as the “Heroes of 2020" and designate a group of them as Special Guests, an annual tradition since the 1990s. Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance, said in a statement, “This year, it feels most appropriate to shine a spotlight on the individuals who are tirelessly leading our nation through hard times with unshakable strength, determination and poise.”
J. Lo, Billy Porter to perform at 'New Year’s Rockin’ Eve'
NEW YORK – Jennifer Lopez will help bring in the New Year with a headlining performance in New York’s Time Square for “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021." Other performers include Cyndi Lauper, Billy Porter and Jimmie Allen. Lauper and Porter collaborated on the Broadway musical “Kinky Boots" and they will join forces for a special performance during the TV special, which will air on ABC at 8 p.m. Eastern. “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021" will run until 2 a.m. Eastern on Jan. 1. Seacrest is returning to host the event for a 16th year, and he will be joined by Porter and Lucy Hale in New York.
Despite bleak 2020, celebrities make effort to brighten year
(AP Photo)LOS ANGELES – Yes, 2020 may seem like a complete fail with all the constant bad news and tragic moments. It’s been filled with gloom and doom(scrolling), but some celebrities and those inspired by them have tried to brighten a bleak year. He reassigned his 10 seamstresses in New York to produce thousands daily for health care workers on the frontlines. The singer and husband Emilio Estefan's restaurant Estefan Kitchen served up homemade meals for health care workers in Miami. The challenge coordinated offers by celebrities and athletes to raise funds to feed those in need during the pandemic.
Collins votes against Barrett, heads home to save Senate job
On Monday, Collins cast her vote against Trump’s pick without any speech and quickly headed home to Maine to try to save her political career. Her vote in favor of Kavanaugh rallied Democrats against her and angered some moderate supporters, while her vote against Barrett may not do much to win them back. She's also attacking Collins’ vote for Trump's tax cuts that she says favored the rich over working-class Mainers. Collins said she voted against Barrett out of fairness to Democrats, who were denied an election-year vote on then-President Barack Obama’s nominee in 2016. And she’s a Republican,” Lauper told the crowd as she walked Collins to the center of the stage.
Broadway stars and drag queens to unite for voter drive show
NEW YORK – Broadway and the world of drag will combine later this month for a streaming variety show to promote voter participation that promises plenty of show tunes and a lot of fierce lipstick. “Divas For Democracy: United We Slay” will feature Broadway stars such as Chita Rivera and Stephanie J. Block singing theater songs while their drag counterparts from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” “match their vocal prowess with lip sync passion and style,” according to organizers. There's a minimum $5 donation and all proceeds benefit Drag Out the Vote, a national, nonpartisan voter engagement nonprofit. The divas of drag include stars of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” such as Alaska, Jinkx Monsoon, Jujubee, Valentina, Peppermint, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Shuga Cain, Honey Davenport, Brita Filter, Marti Gould Cummings and Pixie Aventura.
Harry Connick Jr. honors workers during pandemic road trip
FILE - This May 28, 2019 file photo shows Singer Harry Connick Jr. with his daughter Georgia at a special screening of "Pavarotti" in New York. The special will air June 21 and will follow host Connick Jr. and his filmmaker-daughter Georgia on road trip celebrating and thanking essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic. With the help of his daughter, Georgia Connick, who is a filmmaker, and a bunch of GoPro cameras, he embarked on a pandemic road trip to meet essential workers around the country who were risking their lives during the pandemic. I just want to reach out and meet some of these folks, sanitation workers or elementary school teachers or people that are working at food banks, said Harry Connick. It was highly emotional, said Harry Connick.
Winfrey, Pitt part of Grammys special for essential workers
FILE - This May 28, 2019 file photo shows Singer Harry Connick Jr. with his daughter Georgia at a special screening of "Pavarotti" in New York. The Grammys is putting together an event featuring Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey, Herbie Hancock and Harry Connick, Jr. to honor essential workers across America. It will follow host Connick Jr. and his filmmaker-daughter Georgia on road trip celebrating and thanking essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK The Grammys is putting together an event featuring Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey, Herbie Hancock and Harry Connick, Jr. to honor essential workers across America. Winfrey, Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Queen Latifah, Rene Zellweger and Drew Brees will also deliver special messages to workers.
Latest updates: Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna among 9 killed in helicopter crash
Grammys honor Kobe Bryant at Staples CenterKobe Bryant's memory was in the hearts and minds of the artists at the Grammys Sunday night. But despite the news of his death, and the past 11 days of controversy surrounding the suspension of Grammy CEO Deborah Dugan, the focus was on celebrating the year's best music. Billie Eilish was the night's big winner. The 18-year-old is the youngest person ever to sweep the top four Grammys: Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Best New Artist. Kevin Frazier recaps the night's highlights.
cbsnews.comJane Lynch, Cyndi Lauper developing 'Golden Girls'-inspired show for Netflix
It's time to thank Jane Lynch and Cyndi Lauper for being a friend. Lynch won an Emmy Sunday night at the Creative Arts Emmys for her guest role in "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and revealed that she and Lauper (who must be friends) are developing a show together for Netflx, and it will be comparable to the classic show "The Golden Girls," according to Variety. Im almost 60 and shes 65, and were looking for our next act, without ever having had husbands of children, Lynch said of the show. And there will be two other people who havent been cast yet. But its kind of a 'Golden Girls' for today.This sounds wildly fun, and if they want to make every "Golden Girls" fan dreams come true, we'll see Betty White pop up in this.