Celebrity Scoop – 08/21/2020

BLACK EYED PEAS, DABABY TO PERFORM ON MTV VMAS – (08/21/2020)

DaBaby and Black Eyed Peas will take the stage to perform at the 2020 VMAs.

The Black Eyed Peas, whose new album is called Translation, will be performing the TV premiere of their new single “Vida Loca,” out today. The Peas have never performed on the VMAs: The closest they came was 15 years ago, when they did the pre-show in New York City. BEP are up for two MTV VMAs this year: Best collaboration for “RITMO (Bad Boys for Life),” featuring J Balvin, and Best Latin for “Mamacita,” featuring Ozuna and J. Rey Soul.

DaBaby has four nods, including Artist of the Year.

Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, Doja Cat, The Weeknd, BTS, Roddy Rich, J Balvin and more are also performing.

Keke Palmer is hosting the show, which will take place from various outside locations around New York City.

The MTV VMAs air August 30th.

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Full Story: MTV

TAYLOR SWIFT DONATES MORE THAN $30K TO HELP STUDENT IN LONDON PAY UNIVERSITY TUITION; SUPPORTS INDIE RECORD STORES – (08/21/2020)

Taylor Swift has stepped in to help a young person in need.

A GoFundMe page set up by an 18-year-old student living in London caught Taylor’s eye. The student, Vitoria Mario, had been offered a place at the University of Warwick in England to study math, but was deemed ineligible for loans or grants to pay her tuition. After contacting numerous people for help, and either being rejected or ignored, she started putting letters with her story into mailboxes in London’s rich neighborhoods. When that didn’t work, she set up the page to raise the money she needed for four years’ worth of tuition, housing and books, which amounted to just over $52,500.

Vitoria, who describes herself as “a young Black 18-year-old with a dream,” was halfway to her goal when Taylor stepped in and gave her the rest of the money she needed: just under $30,700. “Vitoria, I came across your story online and am so inspired by your drive and dedication to turning your dreams into reality,” Taylor wrote on the GoFundMe. I want to gift you the rest of your goal amount. Good luck with everything you do! Love, Taylor.” A few days ago, Vitoria posted that her place at the University of Warwick had been confirmed.

Meanwhile, Taylor has sent out signed CDs to various independent shops around the country, which they separately started to announce on Thursday. “Thank you @taylorswift13! ☺️ Taylor just sent us some signed copies of her newest CD, ‘Folklore!’ First come, first serve!” wrote Vintage Vinyl. “Look at what came in 👀 30 CDs signed by Taylor Swift,” Rough Trade NYC wrote.

Taylor also recently released her bonus song “the lakes” from her album folklore, which is assumed to be about her relationship with Joe Alwyn.

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Full Story: Billboard

KRISTEN DUNST IS PUZZLED BY HER INCLUSION IN KANYE WEST PRESIDENTIAL PROMO – (08/21/2020)

Kirsten Dunst doesn’t understand why she was included in Kanye West’s campaign materials. Earlier this week, the 43-year-old shared a poster of his “Kanye 2020 Vision,” and it included several smiling people, including the 38-year-old and Vogue editor-in-chef Anna Wintour

Dunst inquired on Twitter: “What’s the message here, and why am I apart [sic] of it?”

While West has missed the deadline to be on the ballot in several states, he appears to be very serious about running. He announced his bid for president on July 4th.

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Read the Full Story: https://et.tv/3gj3yIK

ELLEN DEGENERES SWEETENS DEALS FOR EMPLOYEES – (08/21/2020)

Ellen DeGeneres seems to be trying to make things right with her team on her eponymous show. On Monday, staffers learned that three senior producers—Ed Glavin, Jonathan Norman and Kevin Leman—were fired after an internal investigation into the “toxic workplace environment” described in multiple viral articles published in BuzzFeed and Variety

DeGeneres apologized, corrected what she said were bizarre and erroneous rumors that she didn’t want staffers to make eye contact with her, and now, reports are emerging that she’s making many of their packages better too. 

The new benefits package includes paid time for medical appointments and family members and birthdays off. Morale has improved after DeGeneres reached out to staffers in a virtual call this week, and staffers are excited about the new perks, Variety reports. 

The call also implored staffers to not be “afraid,” and to feel like they could speak their minds without reprisal. 

The investigation is reportedly ongoing. Ellen returns to the air September 14th

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

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