Celebrity Scoop – 04/26/2019

TAYLOR SWIFT’S BIGGEST INFLUENCES – (04/26/2019)

Taylor Swift is a role model to millions of fans worldwide, but in a new video she made for TIME, she gushes about the person who she calls her role model: former Beatle Paul McCartney.

Asked to name her three biggest influences, Taylor says her No. 1 influence is cats – especially her two cats, Olivia and Meredith. As a matter of fact, Taylor says she is “obsessed” with cats and jokes she accepted a role in the upcoming movie musical Cats because of them:

[“No. 1 for me, most influential factor in my life is cats. I have cats. I’m obsessed with them. They’re just a real joy to live with. I love my cats so much that when a role came up in a movie called Cats, I just thought that I had to do this. This is my calling in life to do this for the ladies. Cats are just really cool. They’re really great. They’re very dignified. They’re independent. They’re very capable of dealing with their own life, and if you fit into that on that day, they’ll make some time for you maybe. I just really respect it.”]

Her third biggest influence is Tumblr, the social media blogging platform that Taylor is constantly on, following her fans, responding and even sometimes posting recipes. She explained:

[“It’s like a window into what my fans are going through. They post about their lives, they post about what they’re into, they post about what they think is cool, what they think is unjust or problematic. And they basically are very, very expressive, and it makes me feel like I can know them better.”]

She also discussed Paul McCartney and his extensive career:

[“He’s created unparalleled art and probably been faced with more pressure than most people and he’s always been known to be kind to people, respectful, and also really selfless as a performer. I really like it when you go and see a show and you want to hear the songs that you loved. You want all that old, iconic, classic stuff. I like it when a performer knows that and will give that to their fans, rather than being like, ‘No, I’m only playing this new project.’ I think that you got to be respectful of what people want, and I just think that’s really cool. I also really like his new music too. He’s still got it. Really love Paul McCartney.”]

AVENGERS: ENDGAME ROARS TO $169M PREMIERE OVERSEAS: Avengers: Endgame is already smashing records overseas, bringing in $169 million on Wednesday alone, with just $107.2 million in China. Endgame opened in 25 markets, and set single day records in multiple areas. South Korea followed China with $8.4 million, followed by Australia ($7 million), France ($6 million), Italy ($5.8 million) and Germany ($5.6 million). 

PETE DAVIDSON AND KATE BECKINSALE ARE DONE? – (04/26/2019)

The romance that titillated many and took everyone else by surprise is over, according to reports. Kate Beckinsale, 45, and Pete Davidson, 25, were hot and heavy for a few months, but it seems that their passion may have burned out. 

Davidson and Beckinsale got together after his equally public and remarked upon engagement to pop star Ariana Grande fizzled out. The SNL star and Beckinsale were first spotted together at a Golden Globes party in January; in the months after, they were photographed making out at hockey games and in cars.

PAULA ABDUL TO PERFORM MEDLEY OF HITS AT BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS – (04/26/2019)

Paula Abdul will be hitting the Billboard Music Awards stage to perform a medley of some of her biggest hits.

The performance, the show’s annual “Throwback” moment, will commemorate the 30th anniversary of Paula scoring a record-breaking four No. 1 hits from her debut album, Forever Your Girl. Paula is the first female artist ever to notch four No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 singles from a debut album: “Forever Your Girl,” “Straight Up,” “Opposites Attract” and “Cold Hearted.”

Paula’s appearance on the BBMAs will reunite with her with Kelly Clarkson, who’s hosting the show and as well as performing. Paula was one of the three judges who helped Kelly on her journey to being crowned the first-ever American Idol.

The BBMAs will also feature performances from Lauren Daigle, Jonas Brothers, Khalid, Halsey, BTS, Madonna and Maluma, Panic! at the Disco, and this year’s ICON Award recipient, Mariah Carey.

The Billboard Music Awards will air live from Las Vegas May 1st on NBC.

CHVRCHES PUTS MARSHMELLO ON BLAST FOR WORKING WITH CHRIS BROWN – (04/26/2019)

Scottish alternative pop act Chvrches has issued a statement on social media in which they slam EDM producer Marshmello for working with Chris Brown and Tyga on a newly released track called “Light It Up.” The irony is that Chvrches itself has collaborated with Marshmello on a song called “Here With Me,” which is currently climbing the Alternative airplay chart.

Chvrches wrote, “We are really upset, confused and disappointed by Marshmello’s choice to work with Tyga and Chris Brown. We like and respect Mello as a person but working with people who are predators and abusers enables, excuses and ultimately tacitly endorses that behavior. That is not something we can or will stand behind.”

Brown pleaded guilty in 2009 to felony assault on his then-girlfriend Rihanna. In 2016, he was arrested for allegedly threatening a woman with a gun, while last year, a woman claimed he hosted a sex party where she was raped multiple times. Earlier this year, he was detained over rape allegations in Paris.

Tyga, meanwhile, dated Kylie Jenner while she was still underage and later settled a sexual assault case brought against him following an alleged incident at a music video shoot. In 2016, a 14-year-old girl accused him of sending her “uncomfortable” messages on Instagram, while Blac Chyna has denied rumors that he was physically abusive to her during their relationship.

Marshmello has yet to comment on Chvrches’ statement. The band showed up at the first weekend of Coachella earlier this month in Indio, California to perform “Here With Me” with the producer during his DJ set.

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