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Within days, millions of TikTok videos using music from Universal artists went mute, and since then guessing which side would blink first has become a media-business parlor game. Backing this up, one study found that TikTok users reported experiencing higher levels of flow than Instagram users. Corey Basch, who analyzed 100 popular TikTok videos with the hashtag mentalhealth for a 2022 study, emerged concerned about the looping effect of the algorithm. Cerave Sales increased by more than 60 percent in 2020 after skin care became a lockdown pastime and TikTok users discovered the drugstore mainstay. Cat Crack Catnip It briefly sold out in 2021 after TikTok users posted videos of their cats going crazy for it.

Persons: randos, TikTok, you’ve, Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, ”, “ Wonka, Barbie, “ Oppenheimer, —, goofing, cavorting, Sue Fleishman, Z’s Walter Cronkite, Spehar, Donald J, Trump, he’s, Caitlin Clark’s, Joe Biden, Justin Bieber, Abbie Richards, Richards, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X, Fleetwood Mac, Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Drake, Swift, ByteDance, can’t, Mark Warner, hasn’t, Al, ear on, Li Organizations: Fleetwood Mac, Facebook, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, White, Pew Research Center, YouTube, The New York Times, Kansas City Chiefs, Media, Colgate, Universal Music Group, ByteDance, Intelligence Committee, e Locations: United States, Beijing, Biden’s, TikTok, Singapore, View, Calif, China, American

☆ How the businessman who blew up MoviePass tried to create a 'TikTok killer' and cost investors millions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Ashley Rodriguez | Jason Guerrasio | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +22 min

At Vinco, Farnsworth employed several of the same tactics that he had at MoviePass and at his earlier ventures. "Ted took these press releases and really treated them like they were works of art for him," Matt Argall, a former advisor to Farnsworth, told BI. Hudson Bay has not been served the lawsuit as of the publication of this story. "Hudson Bay's investment in Vinco Ventures was a standard, fixed price convertible loan of which millions remain unpaid," Hudson Bay told BI in a statement. "If served, Hudson Bay will seek to have these baseless, factually flawed and frivolous claims, which have been repeatedly dismissed in other proceedings against other parties, dismissed expeditiously."

Persons: MoviePass, Ted Farnsworth, Maria Bartiromo, he'd, Farnsworth, Jaeson Ma, Ted Farnsworth playbook, Ted, Barnum, John Fichthorn, I've, Shadwrick Vick, Rudy, Vick, Roderick Vanderbilt, who's, hocking, La Toya Jackson, Helios, Matheson, Brian Quinn, Farnsworth's, Michael Hartstein, Vinco, Matt Argall, Mitch Lowe, Reuters Farnsworth, David, Goliath, TikTok, We're, Argall, Elton John, Jamie McCarthy, Lomotif, Lil Nas X, Snoop Dogg, Grimes, Zash, Allan Stern, Get2it, Stern, Robert N, Scola Jr, Scola, he's, —, Lowe, Getty, Dave Kotinsky, Stringer Vinco, expeditiously, Farnsworth —, Vanderbilt, Jesse Law, Katherine Long Organizations: Fox Business, Hollywood, Business, Zash Global Media, Entertainment, Vinco Ventures, Fox, Hudson Bay, BI, Helios, Matheson, Matheson Analytics, Boston College Law School, Palladium Capital Group, Vinco, BHP Capital, Armistice, CVI Investments, National Enquirer, Reuters, AMC Theatres, AMC, Gemini Valuation, Hudson, Eightco Holdings, Elton John AIDS Foundation, 91st, EDC, Tampa Marriott, SEC, Publishing, National Examiner, Globe, The New York Times, Southern, Southern District of, Bloomberg, Bay, Vanderbilt, Federal Bureau of Investigation Locations: Hudson, Vinco, Zash, Hudson Bay, China, Syracuse , New York, Lomotif, Syracuse, West Hollywood , California, Vegas, Tampa, Argall, Boston, India, The, Miami, MoviePass, Southern District, Southern District of Florida, New York

☆ 5 Black Country Artists on Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Callie Ahlgrim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

Just one week later, it topped the Hot 100, even though some country radio stations initially refused to play it. Many Black artists creating country music have already seen major boosts in streaming numbers. "There are a lot of Black people who love country music, that have been afraid to say that they love country music, even afraid to make country music." Ice breakers: In the six weeks since Beyoncé dropped the two lead singles from "Cowboy Carter," Shaboozey has felt a palpable uptick in attention surrounding Black country artists. Listen to a roundup of key tracks by Black country artists on Business Insider's Spotify.

Persons: Lil Nas, Beyoncé, Carter, It's, she's, Pablo, Don, gatekeepers, Billboard's Kyle Denis, Cowboy Carter, Tanner Adell, Chase Foster, Tanner, Adell, Josh Turner, Shania Twain, Texas, doesn't, Queen Bey, Buckle, Luke Combs, Daniel Prakopcyk, Shaboozey, Collins Chibueze, Southern, Marty Robbins, Woody Guthrie, I've, Kashus Culpepper, Buffalo Kin, Valerie June, Brittany Howard, Breland, Henry Ammann, Nelly, Tim McGraw, Daniel Gerard Breland, Nashville darlings, Thomas Rhett, Keith Urban, Blanco Brown, Blanco, Brown, Tim McGraw's, he's, He's, Tiera Kennedy, Alexa Campbell, Tiera, Kennedy, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, who've Organizations: Chicks, Business, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo, BI, Nashville, LaFace Records, Buffalo Wild Wings, Spotify Locations: Texas, Houston, Nashville, Kentucky, California, Wyoming, Church, Star Valley , Wyoming, Plano, Beverly, Virginia, America, New Jersey, Atlanta, Butler , Georgia, Alabama

☆ Beyoncé's country songs are bringing new listeners to the genre, boosting streams for Black artists
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Micah Washington | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

While some music critics praised Knowles' country tracks, other fans of the genre refrained from a warm welcome. Beyond just radio, Black artists and artists of color represented less than 4% of country songs played on the radio, airplay, charting songs, artists signed to major labels and award nominations, according to SongData. One such fan, Tenley Patterson, 26, said she didn't bother listening to country music before Beyoncé's releases, but was impressed with the country tracks. Rachel Whitney, head of editorial for the Nashville team, said playlists outside of the country genre are playing Knowles' country tracks, broadening its reach. The Beyoncé draw is also boosting exposure for other artists on some lists, like Lainey Wilson and Cody Johnson, who have more "traditional" country songs, Whitney said.

Persons: Beyonce, James Devaney, Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé Knowles, Tanner Adell, Mickey Guyton, Reyna Roberts, Knowles, Alice Randall, Randall, —, Rhiannon Giddens, hasn't, Jocelyn Neal, Maren Morris, Luke Combs, Kacey, Lil Nas, Nas X, Tim Mosenfelder, Neal, Knowles —, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, George Bush, Tenley Patterson, I've, Patterson, It's, there's, Z, Rachel Whitney, Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson, Whitney, Kevin Mazur Organizations: Scott, New York, Spotify, The New York Times, Radio, University of North, NBC, Houston, CMA, Republican, Nashville, Crypto.com Arena, The Recording Academy Locations: Brooklyn, New, New York City, U.S, Texas, an Oklahoma, University of North Carolina, San Francisco , California, Iraq, Los Angeles , California

☆ Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce choose opposite ends of the fashion field for the Super Bowl
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Leah Dolan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The 14-time Grammy winner and 3-time Super Bowl champion arrived at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday in looks that were designed to achieve different things. Taylor Swift arrived in a decidedly more muted look, finished off by lashings of sentimental jewellery – including her '87' necklace in honor of Kelce's jersey number. While this was his fourth Super Bowl game in four years, he must have felt the additional eyes — mainly of the Swifties and the style press — on him. “We were thinking, this is the first Super Bowl in Las Vegas, so why not really let it represent that entertainment feel that Vegas is known for, and let him shine a bit.” Perhaps more crucially, it’s also his first Super Bowl as the boyfriend of a global superstar. Rapper Ice Spice, Donna Kelce, NFL player Jason Kelce, singer Taylor Swift and actress Blake Lively watch the game from Allegiant Stadium.

Persons: David, Victoria Beckham, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Swift, Blake Lively, Lana del Rey, Miles Teller, Dion Lee, Stephanie Gottlieb, “ Taylor, Travis ”, Harry, “ Travis, ”, Mike Amiri, “, it’s, Donna Kelce, Jason Kelce, Rob Carr, won’t, Lil Nas X, Ghali, Loewe, Ezra Shaw, la, David Koma, Queen Elizabeth II’s Organizations: CNN, Bowl, TNT, British Vogue, Allegiant, Sanremo Music, Chelsea, MTV Locations: LA, British, Las Vegas, cardigan

☆ For the Most Groundbreaking Oscar Race This Year, Try Documentaries
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Alissa Wilkinson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Most post-nomination Oscar chatter focuses on surprises and snubs connected to the fiction nominees. But I’m a nonfiction nerd, so for me the documentaries are where it’s at, and in recent years, the picks have grown delightfully unpredictable. Both are artful, and their nominations had seemed assured because, at least in the past, well-made portraits tended to get eyeballs and thus votes. Biographical documentaries are still hugely popular; next to true crime, they’re what’s hot in nonfiction right now, as our recently reviewed releases “June” and “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” indicate. Don’t look now, but this may be the most groundbreaking category at the awards.

Persons: Michael J, Jon Batiste, “ Lil Nas, Montero Organizations: Fox

☆ ‘Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero’ Review: A Hip-Hop Trailblazer
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Chris Azzopardi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

To watch the singer-rapper Lil Nas X in the documentary “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” is to witness a Black queer man embody a power that still feels very new. Directed by Carlos López Estrada (“Raya and the Last Dragon”) and Zac Manuel, this film, streaming on Max, is historically important given its subject’s place in hip-hop, a genre dominated by heterosexuality and hypermasculinity. New interview footage with Montero Lamar Hill, a.k.a. Lil Nas X, from both on the road and in his home, is juxtaposed with performances from the artist’s recent “Long Live Montero Tour,” a celebration of queer eroticism and joy.

Persons: Lil Nas X, Lil Nas, Montero ”, Carlos López Estrada, “ Raya, Zac Manuel, Montero Lamar Hill Locations: .

☆ Popcast (Deluxe): Lil Nas X, Ariana Grande and 21 Savage Kick Off 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Popcast (Deluxe): Lil Nas X, Ariana Grande and 21 Savage Kick Off 2024 Pop’s premier troll returns while one of its biggest voices turns her attention to gossip, and the first blockbuster rap album of the year arrives. Hosted by Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli. Produced by Sawyer Roque and Pat Gunther. Editing by Jamie Hefetz. Audio editing by Pedro Rosado.

Persons: Nas X, Ariana Grande, Jon Caramanica, Joe Coscarelli, Sawyer Roque, Pat Gunther, Jamie Hefetz, Pedro Rosado

☆ Look of the Week: Timothée Chalamet wears shirtless suit at ‘Wonka’ premiere
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Leah Dolan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“I don’t know what the hell I was doing wearing this.”But Chalamet has long relied on the wow factor of a shirtless suit for red carpet engagements. Chalamet's magenta velvet suit was from Tom Ford's latest collection. Jean-Paul Gaultier's "Pin Up Boys" from the 1996 season were early examples of the shirtless suit on the runway. In Gaultier’s infamous Spring-Summer 1996 collection, titled “Pin-Up Boys,” the shirtless suit was gauche, cheesy and even funny. For Chalamet, shirtlessness is fast becoming a state of mind.

Persons: CNN —, Wonka, Tom Ford’s, “, ”, Chalamet, Louis, Timothée Chalamet, Luca, Haider Ackerman, Tom Ford's, Jeff Spicer, photocall, Hugh Grant, Rowan Aktinson, Olivia Coleman, Alexander McQueen pinstripe, Lil Nas, Jonah Hill, Donald Glover, Jay, Harry Styles, Dior, Van Noten, Thom Browne, Paul Smith, Zegna, Porter, Jean, Paul Gaultier's, Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, Raf Simons Organizations: CNN, Venice Film Locations: Venice, London

NEW YORK (AP) — Fans of hip-hop, country, pop, funk, R&B and rock all have reason to cheer the 2023 class entering the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Missy Elliott, Kate Bush, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Chaka Khan, “Soul Train” creator Don Cornelius and the late George Michael will be inducted into the hall on Friday night in New York City. Also entering the hall are The Spinners, Rage Against the Machine, DJ Kool Herc, Link Wray, Al Kooper and Elton John’s longtime co-songwriter Bernie Taupin. Elliott becomes the first female hip-hop artist in the rock hall, which called her “a true pathbreaker in a male-dominated genre.” Taupin makes it into the rock hall 29 years after his writing partner, John. Cornelius, who died in 2012, was celebrated for creating a nationally televised platform for African American music and culture.

Persons: Missy Elliott, Kate Bush, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Chaka Khan, Don Cornelius, George Michael, DJ Kool Herc, Link Wray, Al Kooper, Elton John’s, Bernie Taupin, John, Brandi Carlile, Dave Matthews, H.E.R, Chris Stapleton, Stevie Nicks, Adam Levine, Carrie Underwood, LL, Miguel, Queen Latifah, Sia, There's, Taupin, Elliott, ” Taupin, Bush, didn’t, ” Bush, Michael, Sam Smith, Lil Nas, Troye Sivan ”, Nelson, Crow, Kool Herc “, “, ”, Mary J, Blige, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monáe, Wray, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Cornelius, ___ Mark Kennedy Organizations: Roll Hall of Fame, Disney, World Records, Spinners, ABC Locations: New York City, Brooklyn, St, Vincent, American

☆ This PC is infused with real human blood
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Haley Tenore | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Blizzard is giving away a blood-infused PC to one lucky winner, as well as hosting a blood drive. The game studio, which is behind popular games like "Diablo IV" and "Overwatch," is giving away a PC that might be part of a vampire's dream gaming setup: a liquid-cooled PC that's infused with human blood. The blood donations and the blood-infused PC are both a reference to the newest season of "Diablo IV," Season of Blood, which launched on October 17 and features vampire powers. However, you don't have to be 18 or over to enter the giveaway for the blood-infused PC. In 2021, Lil Nas X released a custom pair of Nike Air Max '97s infused with a drop of human blood in each pair.

Persons: Nas X, Tony Hawk, —, Lil Nas, Nike Air Max, MSCHF Organizations: Service, Nvidia, Blizzard, PC, Nike Air

TORONTO, Sept 9 (Reuters) - American rapper and song writer Lil Nas X hopes his fans get to the "real me," behind the stage persona through his new documentary film, the musician told reporters at the 43 Toronto Film Festival on Saturday night. Nas X, whose given name is Montero Lamar Hill, is the first openly gay man to receive a Country Music Association award for his song "Old Town Road." The biographical documentary "Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero," directed by Carlos Lopez Estrada and Zac Manuel, follows the star on tour, capturing his relationship with his fans. The film also is an end of an era of his life and the beginning of a new one, he said. "This film is so immediate in the sense the state of mind where I am in... a bit confused."

Persons: Lil Nas X, Nas X, Montero Lamar Hill, Nas, Montero, Carlos Lopez Estrada, Zac Manuel, Estrada, Divya Rajagopal, William Mallard Organizations: Music, Reuters, Thomson

☆ Lil Nas X’s Toronto Film Festival documentary premiere delayed due to threat from a ‘passerby,’ police say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Lil Nas X’s Toronto International Film Festival premiere for his documentary “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” was delayed Saturday while police investigated a threat in the area, officials confirmed to CNN on Sunday. “Yesterday, at the TIFF, a passerby uttered a threat towards private security. Out of an abundance of caution, the Toronto Police and the private security swept the scene and cleared within 20 minutes. To our knowledge, this was a general threat and not directed at the film or the artist,” the statement continued. Directed by Carlos López Estrada and Zac Manuel, “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” features footage of Lil Nas X “as he navigated the whirlwind of fame, creativity, and growing responsibility that came with his meteoric success,” according to an official synopsis.

Persons: Lil Nas, Montero ”, ” Victor Kwong, Alejandra Sosa, “, Montero, Roy Thomson, Carlos López Estrada, Zac Manuel, “ Lil Nas, who’ve, ” Organizations: CNN, Toronto Police, Media, Toronto Police Service

TORONTO (AP) — The premiere of the documentary “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” was delayed after a bomb threat was called in at the Toronto International Film Festival. The Saturday night premiere of the film at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall was delayed by about 20 minutes while authorities verified that the threat wasn't credible. Lil Nas X was kept off the red carpet during that time. Judy Lung, vice president of public affairs and communications for TIFF, said in a statement that Toronto police investigated the vicinity of the red carpet ahead of the screening. “Our standard security measures remained in place during this time and the screening commenced with a slight delay,” Lung said.

Persons: Lil Nas, Montero ”, Roy Thomson Hall, Nas X, Judy Lung, ” Lung, “, ” “, Montero, ”, Carlos López Estrada, Zac Manuel, “ Montero Organizations: TORONTO, Toronto

☆ Lil Nas X Says Documentary Captures End of an Era, Start of New One
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Divya Rajagopal and Nivedita BaluTORONTO (Reuters) - American rapper and song writer Lil Nas X hopes his fans get to the "real me," behind the stage persona through his new documentary film, the musician told reporters at the 43 Toronto Film Festival on Saturday night. Nas X, whose given name is Montero Lamar Hill, is the first openly gay man to receive a Country Music Association award for his song "Old Town Road." The biographical documentary "Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero," directed by Carlos Lopez Estrada and Zac Manuel, follows the star on tour, capturing his relationship with his fans. The film also is an end of an era of his life and the beginning of a new one, he said. "This film is so immediate in the sense the state of mind where I am in... a bit confused."

Persons: Divya Rajagopal, Nivedita Balu TORONTO, Lil Nas X, Nas X, Montero Lamar Hill, Nas, Montero, Carlos Lopez Estrada, Zac Manuel, Estrada, William Mallard Organizations: Music, Reuters

☆ Animal rights activists storm Coach runway show in New York
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Animal rights activists interrupted Coach’s runway show at New York Fashion Week on Thursday to campaign against the use of leather. One woman held a “Coach leather kills” sign, while the other had the same slogan painted on her front. “It’s time to STOP selling someone else’s skin and drop leather, @Coach,” animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) posted later on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, alongside a video of the incident. An activist is seen protesting outside during the COACH Spring 2024 Ready To Wear Runway Show and dinner event at the New York Public Library (NYPL) during New York Fashion Week. New York Fashion week kicked off on Thursday, and will run until September 13.

Persons: Gilbert Carrasquillo, ” Tracy Reiman, they’re, Jennifer Lopez, Lil Nas, Stuart Vevers ’, aren’t Organizations: CNN, Animal, New York, Animals, PETA, New York Public Library, Tapestry Inc Locations: New

☆ TIFF 2023: What to watch at the Toronto Film Festival
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Jenna Zucker | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The logo of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is seen in Toronto, Ontario, Canada September 10, 2021. REUTERS/Mark Blinch/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsTORONTO Sept 7 (Reuters) - The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is back for its 48th edition, welcoming movies from around the world to premiere in Canada. The event comes right after the Venice Film Festival, where actor Adam Driver slammed the streaming sites for their lack of flexibility over the demands of writers and actors guild. Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson are expected at the festival to promote their film "Daddio." Last year, German film "All Quiet on the Western Front" premiered at TIFF and won four Oscars, including best international feature film.

Persons: Mark Blinch, Cameron Bailey, Adam Driver, Driver, Ferrari, Roy Thomson, Peter Street, Nickelback, Sean Penn, Dakota Johnson, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Shailene Woodley, Pete Davidson, Paul Giamatti, Hayao Miyazaki, Patricia Arquette's, Kristin Scott Thomas, Anna Kendrick's, Chris Pine's, Michael Keaton's, Knox, Lil Nas, Rustin, Pedro Almodovar, Jane Campion's, Campion, Jenna Zucker, Divya Rajagopal, Denny Thomas, Sandra Maler Organizations: Toronto, Film, REUTERS, Hollywood, Venice Film, Roy Thomson Hall, Royal Alexandra Theatre, Scotiabank Theatre, Wales Theatre, King, University, SAG, TIFF, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, Venice, Toronto's, Spanish

TORONTO (AP) — When the Hollywood actors union announced a strike this summer, Cameron Bailey, the longtime chief executive of the Toronto International Film Festival, dusted off his COVID-19 playbook. “This is the nature of running a festival,” Bailey says. We support them, but we’ll miss them.”The dual strikes have already taken the spotlight at the Venice Film Festival. “I’ve loved movies since I was child and I’ve never been to a film festival before,” says Jefferson. “Even the idea that I’m going to a film festival with a film that I’ve directed feels surreal.

Persons: Cameron Bailey, ” Bailey, Hayao Miyazaki’s, Oscar, “ Harry Potter, David Yates, Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, they’re, ”, Yates, “, Damien Chazelle, Adam Driver, Michael Mann, “ Ferrari, Bradley Cooper, Leonard Bernstein, “ Maestro, Cooper, Yorgos, Alexander Payne’s “, ” George C, Wolfe’s “ Rustin ”, Andrew Haig’s “, Bailey, Craig Gillespie’s, Gillespie, Lars, Tonya ”, ” Gillespie, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Pete Davidson, Duncan Crabtree, ” Crabtree, Sean Penn, Dakota Johnson, Jessica Chastain, Willem Dafoe, Nicolas Cage, Finn Wolfhard —, Viggo Mortensen’s “, ” Kristin Scott Thomas ’ “, ” Michael Keaton’s “ Knox, ” Ethan Hawke’s “, Anna Kendrick’s, Lil Nas, Montero, ” “, Paul Simon ”, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin’s “, Jessica Yu’s “, Cord Jefferson, Larry Wilmore, Percival Everett’s “, Jeffrey Wright, “ I’ve, I’ve, Jefferson, “ I’m, Jake Coyle Organizations: TORONTO, Hollywood, Toronto, ”, SAG, Venice Film, Netflix, Amazon, Telluride Film, GameStop, America Ferrera, Cannes, Twitter Locations: North America, Toronto, Venice, Telluride, Cannes, Ireland

☆ Out West, the Gay Cowboy Roams Free
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Evan Moffitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

TWO MEN, A grizzled sheriff and a gunslinging vigilante, confront each other in a dusty saloon town. When Silva (Pedro Pascal) visits his former lover Jake (Ethan Hawke), he rekindles their romance before revealing less amorous intentions. Intrigue ensues, and the shock of two gay cowboys gives way to what we might expect from a classic western: shootouts, horseback chases, fugitive justice. This is partly why over the decades many queer artists have made winking references to cowboy culture. Then there was the gay disco troupe the Village People’s dime-store cowboy, Randy Jones, who was meant to be read as a tongue-in-cheek archetype (one since referenced by musicians like Lil Nas X and Orville Peck).

Persons: Pedro Almodóvar’s, Silva, Pedro Pascal, Jake, Ethan Hawke, Almodóvar’s, John Wayne, Bob Mizer, Andy Warhol, ”, Randy Jones, Lil Nas X, Orville Peck Organizations: Marlboro, Lonesome Cowboys Locations: It’s, Spanish, America

☆ Emma Corrin goes stylishly pantless at Venice Film Festival
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Actor Emma Corrin has become the latest in a string of celebrities to sign up to the “pantless” fashion trend, sporting only underwear on their lower half at the Venice Film Festival. A model walks the runway during the Miu Miu Ready to Wear Fall/Winter 2023-2024 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week in March 2023. However, Corrin is not the first celebrity to step out in their underwear recently. The 2023 Venice Film Festival, which started on Wednesday, sees the premieres of new films from Bradley Cooper, Sofia Coppola, Yorgos Lanthimos, Michael Mann and Ava DuVernay. The festival’s opening film was “Comandante,” an Italian period drama from director Edoardo De Angelis starring Pierfrancesco Favino, who starred in “The Traitor.”

Persons: Emma Corrin, ”, Miu Miu, Victor Virgile, Bella Hadid, Lil Nas, Corrin, Princess Diana, “, Bradley Cooper, Sofia Coppola, Yorgos Lanthimos, Michael Mann, Ava DuVernay, Edoardo De Angelis, Pierfrancesco Favino Organizations: CNN, Venice Film, Netflix, Paris Locations: Venice, “ The

☆ Little Richard embraced fluidity in rock ‘n’ roll. These are some of the artists he influenced
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Editor’s Note: The CNN Film “Little Richard: I Am Everything” tells the story of rock ‘n’ roll’s Black, queer origins. Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesPerhaps the closest thing to a successor Little Richard had was Prince, the late legend who, like Little Richard, resisted easy classification and reinvented music upon his arrival. Tina TurnerTina Turner and Little Richard reunited for a performance at the 1989 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. “I couldn’t believe the power of Little Richard on stage,” he said in Little Richard’s biography. Ian Gavan/Getty ImagesLike Little Richard, the British pop maven always felt at home in front of a piano, often tinkling the keys dressed in an ostentatious garment involving feathers (Little Richard, meanwhile, mostly stuck to suits).

Persons: “, Richard, Lil Nas, Little Richard, didn’t, Prince, David Bowie, Janelle Monáe, Dick Clark, Little Richard’s, Prince Prince, Kevin Winter, ” Richard, Rosetta Tharpe, you’ll, Frutti ”, NPR’s Ann Powers, Frutti, …, ” Prince, Richard’s, Nikki ”, MTV “, ” David Bowie David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust, Bowie, ”, Ziggy, wouldn’t, ” Bowie, Tina Turner Tina Turner, Sonia Moskowitz, Ike, Turner, —, Elvis, Mick Jagger Richard, Jagger, Little, Elton John Elton John, Ian Gavan, maven, John, he’s, ” John, Beverly Hilton, Freddie Mercury, might’ve, Queen —, Elvis Baz Luhrman’s, ” dramatizes, Alton Mason, Richard careens, Elvis ”, King —, Janelle Monáe Janelle Monáe, Ethan Miller, Monáe, ” Monae, Richard . Lady Gaga, Gaga, Jo Calderone, Princess Lavonne, Lavonne, he’d, Jo, Princess Lavonne’s, ” Ashon Crawley Organizations: CNN, MTV, Roll Hall, Beverly, Warner Bros, Warner Bros ., USA, NPR Music Locations: London, New Orleans, British, Monáe

☆ Jeff Bezos' hot yacht summer with fiancée continues in Croatia with Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry, and Usher
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Haley Tenore | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The pair was photographed walking and sailing with A-listers Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, and Usher. Weeks earlier, the couple hosted a lavish engagement party on Bezos' $500 million yacht. Bezos and Sanchez were recently seen enjoying the summer weather with Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, and Usher, according to photos published in People. Bezos, Sanchez, Perry, Bloom, and Usher were photographed walking around Dubrovnik, Croatia, according to the report, a coastal city known for being a filming location for "Game of Thrones." Just weeks ago, the couple hosted an engagement party on Bezos' $500 million yacht in Italy, according to Page Six.

Persons: Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, Usher, Weeks, Bezos, Sanchez, Perry, Bloom, it's, Lil Nas X, Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kris Jenner, Mackenzie Scott Bezos Organizations: MEGA, Sanchez's, Amazon, Bezos Locations: Croatia, Europe, Dubrovnik, Portofino, Italy

☆ Travis Scott’s ‘Utopia’ Repeats at No. 1
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Ben Sisario | More About Ben Sisario | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

1 on the Billboard album chart for a second time this week, while Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” logs its 16th time as the top single. That total includes 146 million streams and 37,000 copies of the LP sold as a complete package. The last rap album to spend at least its first two weeks at No. 2, while his song “Last Night,” a monster hit on streaming services and pop radio, holds at No. Only Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” with 19 weeks in 2019, had a longer run at the top.

Persons: Travis Scott, Morgan Wallen’s “, ”, —, Tyler, Luis Fonsi, Yankee’s, Mariah Carey, Lil Nas Locations: United States, ”

☆ Coach is the new 'cool girl' brand for Gen Z
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Grace Mayer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

After years of sluggish sales, Coach is seeing regained interest from Gen Z consumers. Gen Z increased its spending on Coach by 10% so far this year, according to a new report. According to a consumer spending report from Earnest Analytics, consumers under the age of 25 increased their spending on the Coach brand by 10% from January through June of this year. Once self-touted as "accessible luxury," Coach has since updated that message and its offerings to reinvent itself. In doing so, it hoped to tap into Gen Z and Millennial shoppers' values and re-elevate its luxury status.

Persons: Gen, Lil Nas, Earnest, Camila Mendes, Joon Silverstein, Coach's, Silverstein, Z, Todd Kahn, Nas X, Kate Spade, Stuart Weitzman, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, Versace Organizations: Service, Vogue Business, Business, Fashion, Capri Holdings, Capri Locations: Wall, Silicon, Riverdale, American, York

☆ Analysis: Tony Bennett sang in a key that Jason Aldean’s song can’t reach
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( John Blake | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

White jazz artists were antiracists before the term was inventedMany of the tributes to Bennett mentioned his disdain for bigotry. Many White jazz artists were antiracists, long before the word was invented. Frank Sinatra, Bennett’s musical mentor, recorded with and relentlessly championed Black jazz artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie. He hired a Black jazz bassist, Eugene Wright, and refused to play in segregated venues. There are countless photos of a beaming Bennett hanging out with Black jazz artists.

Persons: Tony Bennett, Ed Sullivan’s, Bennett, ”, Duke Ellington, “, ’ ” Bennett, there’s, Jason Aldean, Aldean, Dick Gregory, Coretta Scott King, Rick Diamond, Bennett —, ” Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Bennett’s, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dave Brubeck, Eugene Wright, Benny Goodman, Jim Crow, Ellington, Louis Armstrong, don’t, It’s, that’s, Lionel Hampton, Goodman, Michael Ochs, Amy Winehouse, Winehouse, fidgety, “ We’ll, “ You’re, ” Winehouse, Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Elvis Costello, Bennett’s unflappability, Bennett wasn’t, Brubeck, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Evans, Mark Allan, Greg Thomas, ” Thomas, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Willie Nelson, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lil Nas, Wynton Marsalis, Bennett –, Anthony Dominick Benedetto, –, Thomas, John Blake Organizations: CNN, Toronto Star, MLK, Atlanta Civic Center, US Army, Carnegie Hall, Michael Ochs Archives, Jazz, Studios Locations: New York, Tennessee, America, Atlanta, Nazi, African, British, Turkey, Japan, London, Aldean, American, Europe, United States

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