Celebrity Scoop – 04/09/2020

LADY GAGA CALLS ON ‘TECH ROCK STARS’ FOR THEIR COVID-19 SOLUTIONS – (04/09/2020)

Lady Gaga is calling on “Tech Rock Stars” to come together and build a solution to shut down COVID-19.

In a video message created in partnership with the 2020 IBM Call for Code Global Challenge, Gaga said: “We need you right now during COVID-19 more than ever: your time, your talent, to use technology and data to change the world before the world changes us.” “…So I’m asking you to answer the call, build a solution that fights back, that saves lives…I may have the voice but you’re the tech rock stars.”

As part of the challenge, developers are being asked to submit solutions with a focus on three areas: crisis communications, ways to improve remote learning and how to inspire cooperative local communities. The deadline for submissions is April 27th and the winning solutions will be chosen by May 5th, with deployment beginning May 15th.

Prior to her Call for Code appeal, Lady Gaga made the late night talk show rounds to promote another coronavirus effort: the Global Citizen/World Health Organization One World: Together at Home concert. Gaga, who helped curate the event, is one of several superstars who will be part of the April 18th show, which will also include appearances from Lizzo, Paul McCartney, Elton John, J Balvin, Kacey Musgraves and many more.

Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert will serve as hosts for the special, which will air on each of their respective networks, NBC, ABC and CBS, as well as several others channels and streaming services.

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Full Story: Billboard

PARIS HILTON & FAMILY DONATE $10M TO COVID-19: Paris Hilton and her family, via The Hilton Family Foundation, are donating $10 million to aid relief efforts in the fight against coronavirus. “As we enter the most critical time for COVID-19 in the United States and around the world, we know that philanthropy has a critical responsibility to leverage its flexible funding ability to protect the most vulnerable communities around the world,” the Foundation said in a statement. (The Blast) 

BELLA THORNE GIVES RENTERS A PASS: Bella Thorne is giving tenants renting her home in Sherman Oaks, California, a break because of challenges posed by coronavirus, Page Six reports. Other Hollywood landlords, including Kristen Bell, are doing the same. (Page Six) 

TYLER PERRY PAYS GROCERY BILLS FOR THE ELDERLY AT 73 STORES – (04/09/2020)

Tyler Perry is delivery really good news amid the coronavirus pandemic. The TV and film mogul has paid all of the grocery bills for elderly shoppers at 44 Kroger stores in Atlanta, Georgia, his hometown state, as well as 29 Winn Dixie stores in his native New Orleans, People reports. Perry is pulling it off by settling the stores’ tabs during the hour reserved for older customers during the pandemic.

This latest act of kindness comes after Perry ponied up $21,000 in tips for workers at an Atlanta restaurant while picking up takeout. Perry is famous for helping out people in need, from covering layaways at Walmart at Christmas to paying strangers’ medical bills. 

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Read the Full Story: https://bit.ly/2RndqHN

BRITNEY SPEARS GIVES ‘HIT ME BABY ONE MORE TIME’ A COVID-19 REWRITE – (04/09/2020)

Britney Spears is reminding the public why it’s important to self-isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 38-year-old took to Instagram to share updated lyrics of her debut single “Hit Me Baby One More Time.”

The graphic includes a caricature of Britney from her 1998 music video from illustrator Patricia Urrutia holding a bottle of Purell, the rewritten lyrics cross out “killing me” in a big red X and instead reads “My loneliness is SAVING ME!” In the right hand corner, she also inserted the hashtag “#STAYHOME” in bold black letters.

“Enough said,” captioned Britney, who also used her post to celebrate World Health Day, adding: “and thank you to all of the healthcare workers tirelessly working to keep us safe during this time !!!!”

Last week, Spears shared another post thanking essential workers amid the crisis, including grocery store clerks, medical professionals, restaurant workers, truck drivers, warehouse and sanitation workers, farmers and “generous neighbors.”

Earlier last month, the singer said that she would be donating supplies to three fans in need as part of the “Do Your Part Challenge” that many celebrities participated in.

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Full Story: People

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