FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

The Rock and Oprah Winfrey launched a the People’s Fund of Maui to provide financial assistance directly to families affected and displaced by the Maui wildfires. They kicked off the campaign with a donation of $10 million. Adults who have lost their homes in the fires are eligible to receive $1,200 a month.  All they have to do is apply at PeoplesFundofMaui.org. The Rock also said. . .”I also want to offer my profound gratitude to all the first responders, local organizations, and every individual who has worked tirelessly on the ground responding to this crisis.”

Taylor Swift’s concert film, “The Eras Tour”, premieres October 13th at AMC Theatres.  It’s already earned $10 million in ticket presales.  It has so much hype that Universal moved the release of “The Exorcist: Believer” so it doesn’t have to compete.

Gwyneth Paltrow posted an Instagram story this week, where she asked her followers, “Do you guys think I should go gray or keep my highlights?”  43% said she should “go gray.” 

Khloé Kardashian has legally changed the name of her 13-month-old son with Tristan Thompson.  His name is no longer Baby Kardashian.

Simon Cowell spent a lot of past two decades TEARING INTO wannabe singers, especially in the early days of “American Idol”.  Some of them probably needed THERAPY afterward . . . and now, Simon is talking about the importance of taking care of your mental health? In a podcast interview, Simon admits that his awareness of mental health issues is a relatively new thing . . . and he’s had his own struggles . . . including suffering from depression, stress, and burnout. Things intensified for him during the pandemic, which really scared him. He says he’s learned that it’s important to be in tune with your mental health. He doesn’t directly address how HE (or his shows) might have affected other people’s mental health. . . or if he regrets any of it, but he does say he wanted to give people “tough love” . . . not “false hope” . . . because that kind of feedback HELPED HIM in his life.

Luke Combs and his wife Nicole are expecting their second child any day now, and he was asked how it’s going. He said, “It’s going to be a challenge because we don’t have nannies or any of that stuff.  We’ve thought about it, and it’s not a question of, ‘Can we afford that?’  It’s a question of ‘Do we want that for our kids?’ “And at this time, I don’t think that’s something that we’re really interested in because I want our kids to have as normal of a life as possible considering the circumstances.  I’d rather them be riding bikes than riding a tour bus.”

Luke Bryan is turning into the “snack king.”  Last year he started selling popcorn through his Boldly Grown Goods label . . . and this year he’s added peanuts.  There are three delicious flavors “handpicked by Luke.”

Dolly Parton has joined Pinterest.  She says, “I’m humbled to hear that so many people on Pinterest are inspired by the colorful things I wear, make, and do. 

A dad posted video of his teenage daughter getting an autograph and selfie with Morgan Wallen, who’s sitting in an SUV after a concert.  It made the girl’s year.

Celine Dion’s sister says Celine is doing everything she can to recover from Stiff Person Syndrome. (rare autoimmune neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms that come and go and can worsen over time. Some people experience an unsteady gait, double vision or slurred speech.)

Madonna seems to be in better health.  She was seen biking in New York City with friends.

Jon Pardi’s worst and most boring job.  He punched the timeclock at a grocery store when he was 15 and hated when they “sent him down the aisles to pull cans and turn ’em around.” 

Labor Day reminds Nate Smith of his very first job, which was working on an alfalfa field where he moved pipes in the morning to make sure everything got watered properly.  As for Labor Day weekend, he says, “That just means a lot of drinking.  Party on.” 

The Grand Ole Opry is planning to honor the late Johnny Cash with a star-studded tribute next month. “Opry Honors Johnny Cash” will take place Tuesday, Sept. 12 on the 20th anniversary of the legend’s passing. Featured performers will include Rodney Crowell, The Gatlin Brothers, Chris Janson, Jamey Johnson, The War and Treaty, and William Beckman. The Tennessee Four will also make their Opry debut that night.

Zendaya is 27. 

Bianca Ryan is 29.  She won the first season of “America’s Got Talent”.

Gloria Estefan is 66. 

Dr. Phil is 73.

Barry Gibb is 77.  The Last Bee-Gee Standing.

Lily Tomlin is 84.  Violet in “9 to 5”, Ernestine on “Laugh In”, and Frankie on “Grace and Frankie”.

Alan Dershowitz is 85.  O.J.’s lawyer.  He took some heat for his recent book, “The Case Against Impeaching Trump”.

Blogs

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2024

Ingrid Andress tried to sing the anthem the other night, and it didn’t go so well. But this bad performance may wind up being a benefit to her in the long run.  Here’s what Ingrid had to say about it, “I’m not gonna [B.S.] y’all, I was drunk last night.  I’m checking myself into a…

TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2024

Morgan Wallen is BAAAACK.  On Instagram, that is.  Morgan has reactivated his account and dropped a HUGE announcement to go along with it. As part of his One Night at a Time Tour, Morgan just added a show at Neyland Stadium, home of the Tennessee Volunteers. Morgan said, “I’ve had the honor of playing in…