Quoteworthy
J.K. Rowling Returns Human Rights Award
J.K. Rowling After launching a series of transphobic tirades on social media, J.K. Rowling has decided to return an award that celebrates human rights and conflicts with “my own conscience.” Late last year, the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights (RFKHR) organization honored Rowling with their Ripple of Hope award. The prize is typically given to those who have shown a “commitment to social change.” Past recipients include Barack Obama and Joe Biden. However, in the time since receiving the award, Rowling has done the exact opposite of positively changing society. Instead, the Harry Potter author has repeatedly attacked transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming communities with her wrongheaded opinions on gender identity and sex. “If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. I...
Trump Wanted The Killers, Celine Dion, Kiss, or Meat Loaf to Play His Inauguration
Donald Trump, Celine Dion (photo by Amanda Koellner), The Killers (photo by Ben Kaye), and Kiss (photo by Autumn Andel) It’s no secret many musicians aren’t fans of Donald Trump — just look at the number of artists who have spoken out or taken legal action against him. It’s not surprising, then, that his 2017 inauguration featured bottom-barrel performances by the likes of 3 Doors Down, Toby Keith, and DJ Ravidrums. But if Trump had gotten his way, the relatively paltry crowd at the National Mall that fateful day would have been listening to The Killers, Celine Dion, KISS, Aerosmith, or even Meat Loaf. The list of targeted performers comes from an excerpt from the new book Melania and Me, written by Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a close friend and former Senior Advisor to First Lady Melania T...
Bette Midler Goes After Melania Trump: “Get That Illegal Alien Off the Stage”
Bette Midler vs. Melania Trump As to be expected, the Republican National Convention this week has been nothing but a dumpster fire filled with blatant lies and outlandish behavior possibly fueled by cocaine. There’s been plenty to pick apart and dismiss, but Bette Midler might have gone too far with her criticism. Last night, the actress and performer took to Twitter to skewer Melania Trump’s RNC keynote address. Rather than focus on the substance of her speech, though, Midler simply spouted racist and xenophobic comments. “#beBest is back! A UGE bore! She can speak several words in a few languages,” Midler wrote. “Get that illegal alien off the stage!” The 74-year-old actress/singer later tweeted, “Oh, God. She still can’t speak English.” #beBest is back! A UGE bore! She can speak s...
Eddie Vedder Guests on Lily Cornell’s Mental Health Web Series: Watch
Eddie Vedder was the latest guest on Mind Wide Open, the the weekly mental-health series hosted by Chris Cornell’s daughter Lily Cornell Silver. In the newly premiered episode, the Pearl Jam singer opened up about grief, empathy, and activism, while also reflecting on his fallen peers. “I am thrilled that Ed offered to do Mind Wide Open,” Lily said in a statement announcing the episode. “His and his family’s support around my series means so much to me. He has always been like an uncle to me and is one of the pillars of support in my life. I know how impactful his voice is to people around the world and I deeply appreciate everything he stands for, so I am really excited for others to watch and hear his insights.” One of the more emotional aspects of the interview came when Vedder ope...
Megan Thee Stallion Confirms Tory Lanez Shot Her
Over a month after it was first reported that Megan Thee Stallion was shot in the foot, the “WAP” rapper has confirmed that it was Tory Lanez who pulled the trigger. News broke in mid-July that Lanez, real name Daystar Peterson, had been arrested for suspicion of possession of a concealed weapon. Megan, né Megan Pete, was in the vehicle with Lanez at the time and reported suffering glass wounds on her feet. However, the very next day, she took to social media to reveal she had actually been shot in both her feet “as a result of a crime that was committed against me and done with the intention to physically harm me.” At the time, the Los Angeles Police Department said Megan had not reported any crime. Over the next few weeks, however, she continued to discuss the experience, including surge...
Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) “Would Sign” Petition to Remake Final Game of Thrones Season
Add Tywin Lannister to the list of those “disappointed” by Game of Thrones’ ending. In an interview with Pop Culture, actor Charles Dance was asked about remaking the final season, and said, “Well if there was a petition, I would sign it.” HBO’s beloved fantasy series ended in a controversy over quality — for cast and crew as well as audiences. It was such a divisive season that fans started a petition to remake the entire thing, a move series star Sophie Turner called “disrespectful.” An HBO boss rejected that petition, while Nikolaj Coster-Waldau argued that the 32 Emmy nominations “validate the writing.” Still, one GoT director said the series finale felt “really rushed,” and many viewers agree to this day: that fan petition has surpassed 1.8 million signatures. Dance seemed u...
LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy Joins Senator Chuck Schumer to Save Independent Venues: Watch
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, and Grace Blake of Iridium, photo via NIVA The pandemic has proven especially dire for the live music scene, as the National Independent Venue Association found that 90% of independent music venues could close without financial aid. That’s why NIVA is fighting hard to get the bipartisan Save Our Stages Act passed. To promote their efforts, the organization gathered LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, New York’s Senator Chuck Schumer, and a number of New York-area venue owners for a press conference outside of Brooklyn’s Baby’s All Right on Tuesday. After being introduced by Baby’s co-owner/music director Billy Jones, Senator Schumer stepped to the mic first. “Our live venues are the pulse, the heart, and t...
Fiona Apple Narrates Short Film About How to Document ICE Arrests: Watch
Fiona Apple has narrated a new short film about how to document Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests you believe may be unlawful. The film, titled We Have Rights: When Documenting ICE Arrests, is part of a series of animated shorts created in partnership with We Have Rights, Brooklyn Defender Services, and WITNESS to help inform the general public about how to hold ICE accountable while protecting the safety of the individual being arrested. This news is pretty on par for Apple considering she’s a regular activist, from marching in Black Lives Matter protests to donating her royalties to help out refugees and detained migrants. In an interview with Vulture, which originally reported the story, the singer-songwriter explained why she accepted the opportunity, calling the video ...
![LeBron James Delivers Inspiring Farewell Speech to Space Jam Cast and Crew, Shares First Look: Watch [Updated]](https://www.wazupnaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/lebron-james-delivers-inspiring-farewell-speech-to-space-jam-cast-and-crew-shares-first-look-watch-updated-1050x600.png)
![LeBron James Delivers Inspiring Farewell Speech to Space Jam Cast and Crew, Shares First Look: Watch [Updated]](https://www.wazupnaija.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/lebron-james-delivers-inspiring-farewell-speech-to-space-jam-cast-and-crew-shares-first-look-watch-updated-80x80.png)
LeBron James Delivers Inspiring Farewell Speech to Space Jam Cast and Crew, Shares First Look: Watch [Updated]
Throughout his historic career, LeBron James has led both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat to NBA glory. It turns out the superstar athlete is just as inspiring on a film set as he is on a basketball court. TMZ has obtained audio of a speech James gave to the cast and crew of the upcoming Space Jam sequel, and it’s equal parts uplifting and emotional. The Los Angeles Laker delivered his moving words on the final day of filming Space Jam: A New Legacy. To start his address, James talked about how starring in the sequel was a dream come true from the very start. “I’m gonna be honest completely with you guys – when I found out about the project, I was like it’s Space Jam! It’s a movie that I grew up watching,” he gushed. “People in the movie that I idolize. I was like absolutely, I gott...
The Office’s Stanley Shares Racist Backlash He Got After Announcing Spin-Off Series
Last month, The Office actor Leslie David Baker launched a Kickstarter to produce Uncle Stan: Coming out of Retirement, a spin-off series about his character Stanley Hudson. The announcement was met with excitement and praise, but Baker has revealed that it’s not all sunshine and pretzels. In an Instagram post, he revealed some racist messages he’s received since announcing the planned show. “For those of you who don’t believe racism is still alive in the world… here’s the proof,” he wrote. The screenshots Baker shared are Instagram DMs and Reddit comments by various strangers. They use racial slurs, feature lynching photos, and accuse Baker of stealing the Kickstarter money for personal profit. “Our goal has simply been to entertain and give the fans a quality series,” wrote Baker in his ...
Sharon Stone Begs “Don’t Vote for a Killer” as Coronavirus Overruns Her Family: Watch
In a series of emotional social media posts, Sharon Stone has opened up about her family’s experience with the novel coronavirus. She said her grandmother and godmother have both died of COVID-19, and now her sister and brother-in-law are in the hospital, with sister Kelly Stone “not doing well.” The veteran actress is begging her followers to “vote for Biden,” adding, “Please, whatever you do, don’t vote for a killer.” Stone began to vent her frustrations on Sunday with an Instagram picture of her sister’s hospital room. She explained that Kelly “already has lupus,” and “does not have an immune system.” She added, “One of you Non-Mask wearers did this.” Because of her immune-compromised condition, Kelly had apparently been extremely careful about social distancing, and only left her house...
Dolly Parton Backs Black Lives Matter: “Do We Think Our Little White Asses Are the Only Ones That Matter?”
Dolly Parton has once again reminded us why we should all aspire to be more like Dolly Parton. In a new Billboard cover story, the country legend shared her support for Black Lives Matter and the recent uprisings against police brutality and white supremacy. She also spoke candidly about her own mortality and the importance of drawing up a will. On the topic of BLM, the 74-year-old proved that she’s definitely aligned with the times and fully onboard with the protests that have carried on since George Floyd’s murder at the hands of Minneapolis police. “I understand people having to make themselves known and felt and seen,” said Parton. “And of course, Black lives matter. Do we think our little white asses are the only ones that matter? No!” The Queen of Nashville has officially spoken...
