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☆ Katy Perry, Billie Eilish, J Balvin and more lash out against ‘enormous’ AI threats that ‘sabotage creativity’
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Elizabeth Wagmeister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —More than 200 artists, including Billie Eilish, Kacey Musgraves, J Balvin, Ja Rule, Jon Bon Jovi, The Jonas Brothers, Katy Perry, Miranda Lambert and more, are speaking out against artificial intelligence-related threats in the music industry. The letter highlights AI threats including deepfakes and voice cloning, as well as “irresponsible uses of AI” such as the using AI sound to diminish royalty payments to artists and the use of musical works by AI developers without permission to train and produce AI copycats. “Unfortunately, some platforms and developers are employing AI to sabotage creativity and undermine artists, songwriters, musicians and rightsholders.”The letter urges digital music platforms and services to pledge to protect artist. “We must protect against the predatory use of AI to steal professional artists’ voices and likenesses, violate creators’ rights, and destroy the music ecosystem,” the letter says. In a statement, the executive director of the ARA, Jen Jacobsen, said the threats of artificial intelligence are worsening already-tough working conditions for artists.

Persons: Billie Eilish, Kacey Musgraves, J Balvin, Jon Bon Jovi, Jonas, Katy Perry, Miranda Lambert, “, ’, Billy Porter, Camila Cabello, Chuck D, Darius Rucker, Finneas, Jon Batiste, Julia Michaels, Kate Hudson, Kim Petras, Mumford, Nicki Minaj, Norah Jones, Pearl, Sam Smith, Sheryl Crow, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Zayn Malik, Bob Marley, Frank Sinatra, Jen Jacobsen, ” Jacobsen, Tyler Perry, OpenAI’s, ” Sora Organizations: CNN, Rights Alliance, Sons, ARA, SAG, WGA Locations: Atlanta

☆ ‘Jelly’s Last Jam’ Review: A Musical Paradise, Even in Purgatory
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Jesse Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

That painful history can be alchemized into thrilling entertainment is both the central idea and the takeaway experience of “Jelly’s Last Jam,” the jaw-dropping Encores! It might not be immediately apparent from its strange framework that the musical could produce such an effect. The book, by George C. Wolfe, who also directed the 1992 Broadway original, introduces us to Morton (Nicholas Christopher) at the moment of his death. That’s when he is greeted, in a kind of nightclub limbo, by Chimney Man — so called because this forbidding psychopomp, played by the fascinatingly strict Billy Porter, sweeps souls to their destination. Accompanied by a trio of louche, bespangled “Hunnies,” he first puts Morton through a recap of his life, with an emphasis on his lies, betrayals and musicological self-aggrandizement.

Persons: “, Jelly Roll Morton, ferociously, George C, Wolfe, Morton, Nicholas Christopher, That’s, Billy Porter, ” Organizations: City Center

The funeral of a renowned transgender activist in a New York cathedral elicited a denunciation of the event by a senior church official, who called the mass a scandal within one of the preeminent houses of worship in U.S. Catholicism. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York condemned the funeral of Cecilia Gentili, which was held in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan and drew a large audience on Thursday. Gentili was known as a leading advocate for other transgender people, as well as sex workers and people with HIV. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesThe cathedral held a Mass of Reparation following the funeral at the direction of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, Salvo said. “New York’s LGBTQ+ community has lost a champion in trans icon Cecilia Gentili," New York Gov.

Persons: Cecilia Gentili, Gentili, Enrique Salvo, Saint Patrick’s, ” Salvo, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Salvo, ’, Lent, ”, Kathy Hochul, “, ” Gentili, Sen, Robert F, Kennedy, Babe Ruth, Edward Dougherty, CatholicVote, Billy Porter, ” CatholicVote, Porter, ” Porter Organizations: Roman Catholic Archdiocese, Patrick’s, HIV, New York Gov, FX, Conservative Locations: New York, St, Manhattan, ‘ America’s Parish, Rikers, “, Argentina, Patrick's

☆ Opinion: Cecilia Gentili’s life can’t be diminished by one Catholic archdiocese
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Opinion Allison Hope | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The day after Valentine’s Day, a massive, fabulous funeral was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York to honor the late, great Cecila Gentili. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is perhaps the most famous Catholic church outside of the Vatican. Enrique Salvo, pastor of St. Patrick’s, did not mince words in a statement he issued from the Archdiocese of New York’s office only days later. Cecilia Gentili's casket is brought into St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, on February 15. The Archdiocese of New York revealed its true colors with this statement, and along with them, the persistence of anti-LGBTQ judgment within the Catholic Church.

Persons: Allison Hope, Read, Billy Porter, Gentili’s, Gentili, Patrick’s, ” Allison Hope, Allison Hope “, Enrique Salvo, ’, Lent, Salvo, “, “ Saint Cecilia, Mother, Liaam Winslet, Mary Magdalene, ”, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Cecilia Gentili's, Laura Oliverio, Webster, it’s, Pope Francis’s Organizations: New Yorker, The New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, Slate, Patrick’s, Archdiocese, Gentili, Catholic, Patrick's, Merriam Locations: New, St, New York, Patrick’s, ‘ America’s Parish, “ Saint, New York City, Archdiocese

☆ James Corden sets return date for new interview series
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Marianne Garvey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

CNN —In his first major project after “The Late Late Show,” James Corden is returning to a familiar gig as host of a celebrity interview series. SiriusXM announced the initial guest lineup for the new show “This Life of Mine with James Corden” includes Martin Scorsese, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Tom Ford, Jeremy Renner, David Beckham, Billy Porter, Julianne Moore, Odell Beckham Jr., and more. The series, set to debut on Feb. 1, will “feature in-depth, richly-produced conversations between Corden and a variety of prominent guests on the people, places, possessions, music, and memories that made them.”Video Ad Feedback Adele cries with James Corden on the final 'Carpool Karaoke' 00:57 - Source: CNN BusinessCorden departed “The Late Late Show” after eight years and multiple Emmy awards last April. The show was home to popular segments such as “Carpool Karaoke.”

Persons: CNN —, ” James Corden, SiriusXM, James Corden ”, Martin Scorsese, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Tom Ford, Jeremy Renner, David Beckham, Billy Porter, Julianne Moore, Odell Beckham Jr, Corden, Adele, James Corden, CNN Business Corden, “, ” Organizations: CNN, CNN Business

Brad Falchuk remembers earning his first real writer's credit on the sci-fi series “Earth: Final Conflict” in 2001. This month, Falchuk debuted his first Murphy-less project, a dark comedy he co-created with newcomer Byron Wu, called “The Brothers Sun.” It's under his Brad Falchuk Teley-Vision banner. Falchuk also served as co-showrunner with Wu in an otherwise all-Asian writers room. Wu credits Falchuk for pushing him — and the other writers — to authenticate their writing. Falchuk and Wu landed Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh for the pivotal role of the mother, Eileen.

Persons: Brad Falchuk, Falchuk, ”, “ Nip, Tuck, Ryan Murphy, Murphy, Byron Wu, It's, Brad Falchuk Teley, Wu, ” Falchuk, —, “, Charles, Justin Chien, Bruce, Sam Song Li, Oscar, Michelle Yeoh, Eileen, Said Wu “, ‘ I’m, ” Yeoh, Yeoh, He’s, we’ve, ” Yeoh relishes, Jessica Lange, Angela Bassett, Sarah Paulson, Billy Porter, Evan Peters, Lea Michele, Darren Criss, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, ‘, that’s Organizations: Beverly Wilshire Locations: Taipei, Los Angeles

Board members from Hollywood's actors union voted Friday to approve the deal with studios that ended their strike after nearly four months. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists' executive director and chief negotiator, announced at an afternoon news conference that it was approved with 86% of the vote. The successful vote from the board, whose members include actors Billy Porter, Jennifer Beals, Sean Astin and Sharon Stone, was entirely expected, as many of the same people were on the committee that negotiated it. In the wake of the announcement of a tentative deal, actors were largely optimistic about what their leaders have won for them, but their reaction to the details will be important. The last screen actors strike, in 1980, had a rocky ending, with many members opposing the contract.

Persons: Duncan Crabtree, Billy Porter, Jennifer Beals, Sean Astin, Sharon Stone Organizations: Screen, American Federation of Television, Radio Artists, SAG, Alliance, Producers Locations: Ireland, Los Angeles, Hollywood

See below for some of the red carpet’s best looks so far. Johnny Nunez/Getty ImagesTinashe Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty ImagesChloe Bailey Andrew Kelly/ReutersMåneskin mastered ensemble dressing in a selection of complementary outfits by Rick Owens. Jamie McCarthy/WireImage/Getty ImagesOlivia Rodrigo brought the sparkle in a low-cut bejeweled Ludovic de Saint Sernin silver gown made of 150,000 Swarovski crystals. Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty ImagesColton Haynes Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesKarol G embraced the see-through trend in a sparkling sheer beige dress by French label Ashi Studio. Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic/Getty ImagesOffset Evan Agostini/Invision/APDemi Lovato Jamie McCarthy/WireImage/Getty Images

Persons: ’, Mariah Carey’s risqué, Jared Leto, Emily Ratajkowski, Cardi, Dilara, Dipasupil, Selena Gomez Doug Peters, Shakira Noam Galai, Tiffany Haddish Gilbert Flores, Jared Leto Andrew Kelly, Doechii Jason Kempin, Billy Porter Kevin Mazur, Evan Agostini, Gilbert Flores, Anitta, Noam Galai, Bebe Rexha Angela Weiss, Stephen Sanchez, tote, Johnny Nunez, Tinashe Gilbert Flores, Chloe Bailey Andrew Kelly, Måneskin, Rick Owens, Angela Weiss, Ballerini, Jamie McCarthy, Olivia Rodrigo, Ludovic de Saint, Roger Vivier, Christopher Polk, Anthony Harvey, Megan Thee, Brandon Blackwood, Jacob &, Colton Haynes Dimitrios Kambouris, Karol G, Dia Dipasupil, Demi Lovato Jamie McCarthy Organizations: CNN, Prudential Center, Variety, Schiaparelli's, Couture, Getty, New York, Jewelry, Ashi, Dia Locations: Newark , New Jersey, Turkish, British, New

☆ Billy Porter says Hollywood strikes forcing him to sell his home
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Stars aren’t exempt from the hardships of the Hollywood strikes and Billy Porter is speaking out about it. In an interview with the Evening Standard the “Pose” star said he is having to sell his home because of the ongoing actors’ and writers’ strikes. None of that is happening.”The strikes have come as actors and writers seek several things, including better pay and working conditions and protection from artificial intelligence. It hurts my feelings.”Writers have been on strike since May and actors went out on strike in July. CNN has reached out to reps for Porter for additional comment.

Persons: Billy Porter, ’, we’re, ”, “, Porter, “ We’re, “ You’ve, ” Porter, he’s Organizations: CNN, Hollywood, Evening, ” Locations: London

☆ Hollywood strikes have already had a $3 billion impact on California's economy, experts say: It's causing 'a lot of hardship'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Jennifer Liu | In Jljenniferliu | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

People take selfies beneath the Hollywood sign as the WGA (Writers Guild of America) strike continues on July 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. "A lot of different people are impacted surrounding the industry," Holmes says, "and it's causing them a lot of hardship." How long could the strike lastSome experts say the current strike could set the record for the longest writers' strike in Hollywood history. If strikes last until October, Holmes estimates the economic cost will total closer to $4 billion to $5 billion. The WGA represents 11,500 members, while SAG-AFTRA represents roughly 160,000 members.

Persons: Todd Holmes, Holmes, Lee Ohanian, Billy Porter, Kevin Klowden, Milken, Ohanian, it's Organizations: WGA, Guild of America, Writers Guild of America, Alliance, Television Producers, Cal State Northridge, Milken Institute, Screen, American Federation of Television, Radio Artists, University of California, CNBC, LA Times, Hollywood, Variety, SAG, Disney, Warner Bros Locations: Los Angeles , California, California, LA, Los Angeles

☆ Amid the Mountains, They Can Be ‘Open Without Being Judged’
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Lisa Kennedy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Realize Your Beauty isn’t packed with aspiring Audra McDonalds, Billy Porters and Sutton Fosters. “It’s not theater kids, necessarily,” Merkl said over coffee a few days before camp began. “Some of the kids love theater. Some of them are totally new to the theater, but their parents think that they could benefit from this. We are doing theater, but this is not a camp for them to come and learn Shakespeare.”Elise Arndt, a veteran theater camp counselor who flew in from Orange County, Calif., said: “Not all of them are going to be gung-ho theater people.

Persons: Audra McDonalds, Billy Porters, “ It’s, ” Merkl, ” Elise Arndt, ” Arndt, Kirkland Organizations: Girl Scouts of Locations: Sutton, Orange County, Calif, New York City, Girl Scouts of America

☆ Pride Month in New York Is Back. Here’s How to Celebrate.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Erik Piepenburg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

New York City’s official Pride theme this year is Strength in Solidarity, an apt reminder that Pride was born as a protest movement against bigotry wherever it manifests. Also that day, Christina Aguilera headlines Pride Island, the big annual dance party, at Brooklyn Army Terminal. New York’s official Pride calendar also features a Juneteenth brunch with Black L.G.B.T.Q. chefs on June 18 and, on June 24, events centered on people of color and a Youth Pride party. The annual Dyke March — “a protest march, not a parade,” according to organizers — is June 24.

Persons: Pride, Billy Porter, Randy Wicker, Christina Aguilera, Black L.G.B.T.Q, “, — Organizations: Solidarity, ABC, Pride, Brooklyn Army Locations: Hudson, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Harlem

From start to finish, Tuesday's 80th annual Golden Globe Awards was a very queer affair. Here are some of the evening's queerest (and gay Twitter meme-worthy) moments. Jerrod Carmichael apologizes to Jennifer Coolidge 'on behalf of all the gays'Jerrod Carmichael hosted the 80th annual Golden Globe Awards on Tuesday. The 26-year-old actor, who already has two Emmy awards for the same role, was not present to accept her Golden Globe. The Burnett award was started in 2019, with its namesake, comedian Carol Burnett, being its first honoree.

"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" will kick off at 8 p.m. You can watch it on ABC, or livestream it via services like Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. Here's how to stream "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve," along with a full breakdown of performers. Where to watch 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2023'You can watch "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" on ABC at 8 p.m. Who is performing at 'New Year's Rockin' Eve 2023'?

☆ tWitch tributes: Friends honor dancer who was 'loved by everyone'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The late Stephen “tWitch” Boss was a man who wore many hats. He was hungry, eager, and willing to do the work that would lift him in spirit and means,” she wrote. Murphy shared that the first time she met Boss, “there was something about him. Other celebrities to mourn Boss’s passing included Questlove, who wrote on Instagram, “I have no words man. Ciara continued in her missive to Boss that she always knew him “as joy, laughter, good times, and a big smile!

☆ ‘80 for Brady’ trailer’s got game
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Sally Field, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno and Lily Tomlin star as a group of octogenarians who are hardcore Tom Brady fans who travel to Super Bowl LI. “That’s like 80 in people years.”“We’re 80 in people years,” Fonda’s character says. And, naturally, Brady makes an appearance. Brady told Variety he enlisted his friends and former Patriot teammates Rob Gronkowski, Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman to make cameos as themselves. Anytime I get my friends involved in things that I’m doing, it makes it that much more enjoyable for me.”

☆ Kit Connor's sexuality is none of your business
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Allison Hope | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The pressure for 18-year-old actor Kit Connor to come out had been building on social media for months. It is one of the first to center LGBTQ characters — both Nick and Charlie, as well as others in the main cast — geared towards a teen and young adult audience. Rob Youngson/NetflixThe truth about Nelson’s character, as well as Connor’s real-life identity, may be much more nuanced. (From left) The cast of "Heartstopper" — Kizzy Edgell, Corinna Brown, Kit Connor, Joe Locke, Tobie Donovan and Sebastian Croft — attend London Pride on July 2. Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty ImagesNow LGBTQ audiences are rightfully asking the hard questions about who gets to play LGBTQ characters.

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