NEW YORK (AP) — Blue Ivy is about to become a big sister — twice over. Beyoncé and Jay Z announced Wednesday on Instagram that the superstar singer is pregnant with twins. (Courtesy of Beyonce/Instagram) “We have been blessed two times over. We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two,” said […]
Author Archives: Mark Kennedy
AP Drama Writer
Posted inInstantArticles
FACT CHECK: Streep Overrated? Trump Picks a Decorated Star
NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter on Monday, calling Meryl Streep “one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood” following her speech Sunday night at the Golden Globe awards President-elect Donald Trump (left) and actress Meryl Streep (right) .(AP Photos/Evan Vucci and Paul Drinkwater/NBC) While “overrated” is an opinion, Streep, who […]
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A&E Scraps KKK Series after Learning of Cash Payments
NEW YORK (AP) — A&E is scrapping plans for an eight-part documentary series about the Ku Klux Klan after finding out that some participants of the hate group were paid for their work on it. The network said Saturday it was dropping “Escaping the KKK: A Documentary Series Exposing Hate in America” a day after […]
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Black Musicians Reflecting Turmoil of the Times in Music
NEW YORK (AP) — When he entered the recording studio this spring, Grammy and Oscar-winning rapper Common had plenty to vent about — and it all came out. FILE – This Sept. 20, 2016 file photo shows hip hop artist Common at the LA Premiere of “America Divided” in Westwood, Calif. Common’s latest album dropped […]
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Wonder Woman Dumped as a Special UN Ambassador after Uproar
NEW YORK (AP) — The comic book heroine Wonder Woman has been abruptly fired from her honorary ambassador job at the United Nations following protests from both inside and outside the world organization that a white, skimpily dressed American prone to violence wasn’t the best role model for girls. FILE – In this Oct. 21, […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, InstantArticles
Kanye West Cancels Remaining Dates on Saint Pablo Tour
Kanye West has abruptly pulled the plug on his Saint Pablo Tour a few days after making statements onstage about how he “would have voted for Donald Trump” and after a stormy weekend in which he abruptly canceled a show after four songs. A representative for the rapper said Monday the remaining 21 dates of […]
Posted inInstantArticles, National News
Debate over ‘Hamilton’ Speech Exposes Post-Election Cracks
NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump demanded an apology from the cast of the Broadway musical “Hamilton” a day after an actor in the hit show delivered a pointed message about diversity to his running mate who was in attendance, prompting angry responses from liberals and conservatives alike and underscoring yet again the fractious […]
Posted inInstantArticles, National News
‘Hamilton’ Member Gives Pence ‘Equality’ Earful; Trump: “Apologize!”
NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday demanded an apology from the “Hamilton” cast member who gave Mike Pence an onstage earful about equality. Actor Brandon Victor Dixon told the Republican vice president-elect after the curtain call Friday night that the Broadway hit’s multiracial and multicultural cast is concerned about the Trump administration. […]
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Drake Shatters American Music Awards Nominations Record
NEW YORK (AP) — Drake earned a record-breaking 13 American Music Awards nominations on Monday thanks to his latest album, “Views,” shattering Michael’s Jackson’s mark of 11 nominations in a single year from 1984 when the King of Pop had “Thriller.” Drake performs at the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Festival – Day 1 held at T-Mobile […]
Posted inNational News
Michelle Obama Hosts a Broadway Event to Help Educate Girls
NEW YORK (AP) — Michelle Obama tapped some big voices to help deliver her push to get girls educated across the world. First lady Michelle Obama speaks as she hosts Broadway Shines A Light on Girls’ Education, Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) The […]
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‘The Color Purple’ Lands Jennifer Holliday on Broadway
NEW YORK (AP) — Broadway’s revival of “The Color Purple” has lured a real dream girl — Jennifer Holliday. This Jan. 15, 2014 file photo shows actress and singer Jennifer Holliday during an interview in Atlanta. Holliday will take over the role of Shug Avery from Heather Headley in “The Color Purple,” on Oct. 4. […]
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US Women’s Gymnastics Team Flips over Broadway’s ‘Hamilton’
NEW YORK (AP) — How do you follow winning Olympic gold at the Rio Olympics? How about a chance to see “Hamilton” on Broadway? The Tony Award-winning smash musical on Tuesday night welcomed the U.S. women’s gymnastics team — Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Madison Kocian and Laurie Hernandez — who gave the show […]