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    Brit Awards to Keep Gendered Categories After Sam Smith Calls for Show to Reflect Society

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    The ‘Stay with Me’ singer, who has identified as non-binary, urges awards show to ‘celebrate everybody, regardless of gender, race, age, ability, sexuality and class.’

    Mar 13, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Brit Awards will not make any change in near future. Despite Sam Smith calling for the show to reflect society after being excluded in the gender-based categories at the upcoming 2021 awards, its officials announced that they will keep the gendered categories.
    “The BRITs love Sam. Sam won our Critics’ Choice Award (now Rising Star) in 2014 and went on to enjoy incredible international stardom, winning more BRIT Awards and nominations along the way as well as giving us some of the most memorable performances ever,” a spokesperson of the BRITs said in a statement. “Sam is an extraordinary British artist and we agree with what they have said today.”
    “The BRITs are committed to evolving the show and the gendered categories are very much under review. But any changes made to be more inclusive need to be just that – if a change unintentionally leads to less inclusion then it risks being counterproductive to diversity and equality,” the representative continued. “We need to consult more widely before changes are made to make sure we get it right.”
    The BRITs’ statement came after Sam, who identified as non-binary, spoke up about his exclusion from the awards via Instagram. Sharing a note on Friday, March 12, they first wrote, “The Brits have been an important part of my career, one of my earliest achievements was winning Critics Choice in 2014.”

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    “Music for me has always been about unification not division. I look forward to a time where awards shows can be reflective of the society we live in,” the English musician went on. “Let’s celebrate everybody, regardless of gender, race, age, ability, sexuality and class.”

    The “Stay with Me” singer came out as nonbinary and gender queer back in September 2019. In a since-deleted Instagram post, they declared, “Today is a good day so here goes. I’ve decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM after a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out.”
    “I’m so excited and privileged to be surrounded by people that support me in this decision but I’ve been very nervous about announcing this because I care too much about what people think but f**k it! I understand there will be many mistakes and mis-gendering but all I ask is you please please try,” they further explained. “I hope you can see me like I see myself now. Thank you.”

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    Brandi Carlile Looks Forward to Honor John Prine With Tribute Performance at 2021 Grammys

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    Thankful for the opportunity to salute her idol on such a big stage, the ‘Party of One’ singer claims that all singer/songwriters ‘wouldn’t even know how to do what we do without him.’

    Mar 13, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Singer Brandi Carlile will be honouring the legacy of the late John Prine when she performs at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, March 14.
    The “Party of One” star has been busy rehearsing for the upcoming event, and she is thankful for the opportunity to salute her idol on such a big stage after she and her peers were unable to gather in person to pay their final respects to Prine, who died from COVID-19 complications last April (2020).
    “John was the great mentor to all of us,” she told U.S. news show Entertainment Tonight.
    “I think all singer/songwriters that were lucky enough to have proximity to John or get to know John, all feel like they were significantly, individually special to him. And I hope that was the case with me. But the truth is that he just loved us all. And he taught us all how to write songs and he taught us how to laugh at ourselves.”

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    “This year it’s been hard to not get out and honour him on stage with our songs and our jokes and our spiritual connection to him, but finally I’m getting to do it. He has meant so much to so many of us. We wouldn’t even know how to do what we do without him.”

    Carlile has not revealed which tune she will be playing on music’s big night, but she added, “Having lost him this [past] year to COVID is especially heartbreaking, but there’s something about this performance for me that’s really cathartic… and I just feel like there’s hope and redemption in the words of [the song I’m performing].”
    Both she and Prine are double nominees at the Grammy Awards – she is up for Best Country Song for “Crowded Table” and Best Song Written for Visual Media for “Carried Me with You” from “Onward”, while Prine’s final recording, “I Remember Everything”, is shortlisted for Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song.

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    Taylor Swift Debuts 'Wildest Dreams' Remake in Trailer of Her Ex Jake Gyllenhaal's Movie

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    Her updated take on the 2015 single from her album ‘1989’ will appear in DreamWorks’ upcoming animated film ‘Spirit Untamed’, which has Gyllenhaal among its voice cast.

    Mar 13, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Taylor Swift is slowly but surely updating her catalog. The next song from the Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter that has got a remake treatment is “Wildest Dreams” and she has previewed it in the trailer for “Spirit Untamed”.
    The 31-year-old country-turned-pop superstar herself shared the approximately one-minute sneak peek for the upcoming DreamWorks animated film that features her song. The updated version has more uptempo music that somehow fits the scenes of the adventure movie.

    “Thank you #SpiritUntamed for using Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version) in your new trailer!!” Swift wrote along with the trailer, which was posted on her Instagram Story and Facebook page on Friday, March 12.

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    Taylor Swift previewed her new version of ‘Wildest Dreams’.
    Interestingly, “Spirit Untamed” is starring Swift’s ex-boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal, whom she briefly dated in 2010. The movie, which is directed by Elaine Bogan and Ennio Torresan, and written by Aury Wallington, tells the a story about a girl named Lucky Prescott who meets a kindred spirit in the form of a wild Mustang. Gyllenhaal voices the father of the girl.
    It is a stand-alone sequel to the 2002 traditionally animated film “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” and a continuation to its based series “Spirit Riding Free”. The voice cast also includes Isabela Moner, Julianne Moore Marsai Martin, Walton Goggins and Eiza Gonzalez among others. The movie is scheduled to be released on June 4.
    “Wildest Dreams” is the second single lifted off Swift’s 2014 fifth studio album “1989”. The 2015 track was previously featured on Netflix’s hit Regency-era drama series “Bridgerton”, with the Vitamin String Quartet’s arrangement of the song being played during a sex montage of Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon, the Duke of Hastings (Rege-Jean Page).
    Prior to this, Swift released “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” on April 19, consisting of all of the 19 tracks from “Fearless Platinum Edition” (2009), her soundtrack single “Today Was a Fairytale” (2010), and six additional songs that were scrapped from the 2008 album. In December 2020, a snippet of the re-recorded “Love Story”, the lead single off the album, was used in a Match.com commercial directed by her friend Ryan Reynolds.

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    Kelly Clarkson, Selena Gomez, Khalid and More Join Matthew McConaughey's Texas Fundraiser

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    The upcoming fundraiser for Texas residents impacted by winter storms is going to be a star-studded affair with the likes of Willie Nelson, Jonas Brother, Miranda Lambert, and Jamie Foxx.

    Mar 13, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Willie Nelson, the Jonas Brothers, Selena Gomez, and Kelly Clarkson are joining forces with Matthew McConaughey to raise much-needed funds for those affected by the deadly Texas winter storms.
    The “Dallas Buyers Club” star, a proud son of Texas, has recruited a string of famous faces to appear during his upcoming livestreamed benefit gig, with all proceeds donated to the Oscar winner’s “Just Keep Livin’ Texas Relief Fund” to support local organisations in the recovery and rebuilding effort following the deep freeze which struck in late February (21).
    Simply titled “We’re Texas”, the 21 March event will also feature Don Henley, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Khalid, Kacey Musgraves, Gary Clark Jr., Post Malone, Leon Bridges, Lyle Lovett, Kirk Franklin, and Jamie Foxx, with more special guests set to be announced in the lead up to the show.
    McConaughey reveals he didn’t have to try hard to convince his fellow celebrities to lend a hand to those in need.
    “Everybody I called, within the first two minutes, (said), ‘I’m in.’ I didn’t have to call anybody back,” he told U.S. breakfast show “Today”.

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    “So, Texas is really rallying around helping out the people that are gonna need it.”
    McConaughey will be co-presenting the charity concert with his wife, Camila, but he plans to get really involved in the entertainment aspect of the gig.
    “I’m gonna host it, I’m gonna DJ it, I’m gonna intro bands, outro bands, rap myself… I’ll have to rap somehow. I’ll rhyme something…!” he laughed.
    Explaining what drove him to put together “We’re Texas”, he said, “I have a privileged life, I have three children, I have a family, I have a career, and I had purpose, but something like this happens, purpose comes in with a capital ‘P.’ ”
    And he cannot wait to bring everyone together for the good cause, “You’re gonna see a revival and a restoration, people coming together to help out our neighbours here in Texas, and we’re inviting the world to come in and help us out as well. It’s gonna be a shindig!”
    We’re Texas will stream at 8pm ET on the actor’s YouTube page.

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    Report: Justin Bieber Not Attending Grammys After Protest Over 'Changes' Pop Album Nomination

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    The ‘Yummy’ singer is reportedly joining the list of artists boycotting the 2021 awards show after he complained about his album being nominated in pop category instead of RnB.

    Mar 12, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Justin Bieber is allegedly joining the list of artists who are boycotting the 63rd annual Grammy Awards. The Canadian pop star is said planning not to attend the upcoming ceremony, set to take place on Sunday, March 14.
    In addition to not being scheduled to perform at the show, the “Lonely” crooner’s decision to skip this year’s Grammy is reportedly due to his protest over his album “Changes” being nominated in pop category instead of R&B. The 27-year-old previously expressed his displease with the nomination after the nominations were announced in November 2020.
    “To the Grammys,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “I am flattered to be acknowledged and appreciated for my artistry. I am very meticulous and intentional about my music. With that being said, I set out to make an R&B album.”

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    “I grew up admiring R&B music and wished to make a project that would embody that sound. For this not to be put into that category feels weird considering from the chords to the melodies to the vocal style all the way down to the hip hop drums that were chosen it is undeniably, unmistakably an R&B Album!” he explained.
    “To be clear I absolutely love Pop music it just wasn’t what I set out to make this time around,” the husband of Hailey Baldwin also noted. “My gratitude for feeling respected for my work remains and I am honored to be nominated either way.”
    Should the report of Justin boycotting the Grammys be true, he’s following the footsteps of fellow Canadian star The Weeknd who has expressed his disappointment at the Recording Academy. On Thursday, March 11, just days ahead of the 2021 ceremony, he announced that he will never submit his music to the Grammy in the future. “Because of the secret committees, I will no longer allow my label to submit my music to the Grammys,” he told the New York Times.
    Responding to the “Blinding Lights” hitmaker’s statement, interim Academy CEO Henry Mason Jr. said in a statement, “We’re all disappointed when anyone is upset. But I will say that we are constantly evolving. And this year, as in past years, we are going to take a hard look at how to improve our awards process, including the nomination review committees.”

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    Nick Jonas Stuck in Distant Planet in 'Spaceman' Music Video

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    The Jonas Brothers star debuts the clip, which depicts him as a spaceman trying to get home to his wife, ahead of his performance of the song on ‘Saturday Night Live’.

    Mar 12, 2021
    AceShowbiz – Nick Jonas has released a music video for his new single “Spaceman”. Apt to the song’s title and lyrics, the cinematic visuals depicts him as a spaceman who is stuck in a distant planet with no one but himself.
    In the song, the Jonas Brothers star describes the feeling of being alone. “And the numbers are high but we keep goin’ down/ ‘Cause we ain’t supposed to live with nobody around/ I’m a spaceman/ Yeah, I’m a spaceman,” he sings.
    Later in the chorus, he sings about missing his loved one as the music video shows him trying to get back home to his wife, portrayed by his real-life spouse Priyanka Chopra. Part of the lyrics goes, “From thе dark side of the moon/ I know that it’s sad but it’s true/ I’m tryna get home, I’m a spaceman/ Yeah, yeah, I’m a spaceman/ Out on my own.”
    The “Spaceman” video, directed by Anthony Mandler, comes just hours ahead of the release of Nick’s fourth solo album of the same title. “Spaceman” is the lead single of the album and was released on February 25, followed by the second single “This Is Heaven” on March 4.

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    Nick is also set to perform “Spaceman” for the first time on “Saturday Night Live” on February 27. In the upcoming episode of the NBC sketch series, the “Sucker” singer will take double duty, serving as the host in addition to being the musical guest.
    Despite his solo album and his upcoming solo gig, the Jonas Brothers are still very much together. The trio have quashed rumor about their disbandment following the release of Nick’s new song “Spaceman”.
    Marking the second anniversary to the day they announced their comeback, they wrote on Twitter on February 24, “That day and every day that followed has meant everything to us Red heart Playing music together, getting back on the road, seeing all of your faces in the crowd, hearing your stories…”
    They went on teasing their future projects as a band, adding, “Our 2019 (and even some of 2020!) was so special and it’s all because of how amazing you guys are … We have the best fans in the world and we love you so much! We all have a ton of exciting stuff coming (together and apart Winking face) and we can’t wait for you guys to hear all about it.”

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    Mickey Guyton Tapped as First Black Woman to Host 2021 ACM Awards

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    The ‘Black Like Me’ singer is set to make history as she’s officially announced as an emcee for the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards along with Keith Urban.

    Mar 12, 2021
    AceShowbiz – New mum Mickey Guyton is returning to the spotlight to co-host the 2021 Academy of Country Music Awards with Keith Urban.
    The “Black Like Me” singer, who became a first-time mother last month (Feb21), will join forces with Urban, who is returning for his second consecutive year as emcee, to present the show from three iconic venues in Nashville, Tennessee – the Grand Ole Opry House, the historic Ryman Auditorium, and The Bluebird Cafe – the same places which hosted live performances for last year’s ceremony, during the height of the COVID-19 crisis.
    “I’m beyond thrilled to be co-hosting with my friend Mickey,” Urban shared in a statement. “I love that finally everyone will get to see her infectious energy and uber creative spirit in full light.”

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    And Guyton, who shared the stage with Urban at the 2020 event, added, “Last year I had the opportunity to perform at the Academy of Country Music Awards with someone I long admired, Keith Urban, and this year I am incredibly excited to share hosting duties with him.”
    “As I’ve said before, ‘If you can see it, you can be it,’ and it’s such an honor to step onto the ACM stage as the first ever Black woman to host the show.”
    “Over the years, the Academy of Country Music has always been a home for me through opportunities both onstage and throughout their work on diversity and inclusion. This is a moment of great significance for me and I am so thrilled to share it with all the fans.”
    The 56th annual ACM Awards will air on 18 April (21).

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    Grammys Is 'Disappointed' by The Weeknd's Declaration of Eternal Boycott, Vows to 'Improve'

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    The Recording Academy’s interim chief executive Harvey Mason Jr. responds after the ‘Blinding Lights’ singer said he will never submit his music to the Grammys again.

    Mar 12, 2021
    AceShowbiz – The Recording Academy isn’t all too pleased when it is at the receiving end of a snub. Following The Weeknd’s decision to boycott the Grammys for good, the Academy’s boss has admitted that they’re “disappointed.”
    “We’re all disappointed when anyone is upset,” interim Academy CEO Henry Mason Jr. said in a statement in response to The Weeknd’s eternal boycott. Vowing to make a change, he added, “But I will say that we are constantly evolving. And this year, as in past years, we are going to take a hard look at how to improve our awards process, including the nomination review committees.”
    On Thursday, March 11, just days ahead of the 63rd annual Grammy Awards, The Weeknd once again spoke of his disdain at the award show. “Because of the secret committees, I will no longer allow my label to submit my music to the Grammys,” he told the New York Times.

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    The Canadian artist was standing by his stance after he was understandably upset due to the Grammys snub. The 31-year-old received zero nominations at the upcoming ceremony, despite his single “Blinding Lights” being the biggest hit to date this year. “The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans, and the industry transparency…,” he tweeted after the nominations were announced on November 24, 2020.
    He also hinted that he had already been planning his Grammy performance for weeks until he learned of the nominations snub. “Collaboratively planning a performance for weeks to not being invited? In my opinion zero nominations = you’re not invited!” he wrote in another tweet.
    The Academy later responded to The Weeknd’s complaint, with Mason Jr. saying, “There were a record number of submissions in this unusual and competitive year. We understand that The Weeknd is disappointed at not being nominated. I was surprised and can empathize with what he’s feeling. His music this year was excellent, and his contributions to the music community and broader world are worthy of everyone’s admiration.”
    Addressing speculation that The Weeknd being snubbed had anything to do with his Super Bowl LV performance, Mason Jr. stated, “We were thrilled when we found out he would be performing at the upcoming Super Bowl and we would have loved to have him also perform on the Grammy stage the weekend before. To be clear, voting in all categories ended well before The Weeknd’s performance at the Super Bowl was announced, so in no way could it have affected the nomination process. All Grammy nominees are recognized by the voting body for their excellence, and we congratulate them all.”

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