Chris Evans responds to Lizzo’s wish to have him play piano on her next album

ABC

Lizzo may have a new man, but that’s not stopping her from holding a candle to her crush, Chris Evans

The “Truth Hurts” singer appeared on the Spout podcast last month and revealed she slid into Evans’ DMs, asking if he would play piano on her new album. “He just said ‘Ha,'” Lizzo revealed, noting she asked after watching his Instagram stories of him playing the instrument. “It would have been so cool, but unfortunately, not this time,” she sighed.

Now, the Captain America star is responding and told Extra that he declined the opportunity because it was in Lizzo’s best interests.

“I’m not good enough to play piano on an album. I mean, I fooled around on a piano, but in no way would I be qualified enough to actually play on someone’s album. Let alone Lizzo’s,” he confessed. He is keeping the door open, adding that he will “need a few more years of lessons” before featuring on one of her albums.

Lizzo is about to drop her new album, Special, on July 11. She released the title track, the viral hit “About Damn Time” and the new single, “Grrrls,” to hype its arrival.

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Chris Evans responds to Lizzo’s wish to have him play piano on her next album

ABC

Lizzo may have a new man, but that’s not stopping her from holding a candle to her crush, Chris Evans

The “Truth Hurts” singer appeared on the Spout podcast last month and revealed she slid into Evans’ DMs, asking if he would play piano on her new album. “He just said ‘Ha,'” Lizzo revealed, noting she asked after watching his Instagram stories of him playing the instrument. “It would have been so cool, but unfortunately, not this time,” she sighed.

Now, the Captain America star is responding and told Extra that he declined the opportunity because it was in Lizzo’s best interests.

“I’m not good enough to play piano on an album. I mean, I fooled around on a piano, but in no way would I be qualified enough to actually play on someone’s album. Let alone Lizzo’s,” he confessed. He is keeping the door open, adding that he will “need a few more years of lessons” before featuring on one of her albums.

Lizzo is about to drop her new album, Special, on July 11. She released the title track, the viral hit “About Damn Time” and the new single, “Grrrls,” to hype its arrival.

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Could Lady Gaga be the next Harley Quinn?

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Lady Gaga is in early talks to play Harley Quinn in director Todd Phillips’ followup to the 2019 blockbuster, Joker, according to The Hollywood Reporter; and get this — the sequel is said to be a musical.

Last week Phillips posted a pair a pair of photos, one of which was of the apparent cover of the script, with the title, Joker: Folie à Deux — a reference to the medical term for an identical or similar mental disorder that affects two or more individuals, usually members of the same family. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but the title seems to imply that Gaga is being considered for the part of the Joker’s partner-in-madness.

A second photo in Phillip’s social media post showed Joker star Joaquin Phoenix reading the screenplay, although sources tell THR that Warner Bros. has yet to close a deal with the actor.

Gaga’s Harley Quinn would exist in a different DC universe than Margot Robbie‘s Quinn, which appeared in 2021’s The Suicide Squad, as well as several other films.

Phillips previously produced A Star Is Born, the 2018 remake that starred Joker producer Bradley Cooper and Gaga.

The first Joker movie was a box office smash, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. It also picked up a pair of Oscars, including a best actor nod for Phoenix.

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Selena Gomez says ‘Only Murders in the Building’ co-stars taught her to expect more from men

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Selena Gomez is much, much younger than her two co-stars in the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building, but she says being around them has taught her some valuable lessons — including one about her love life.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter‘s Awards Chatter podcast, Selena talks about how great it is working with co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short, comedy legends who are 76 and 72, respectively. “Being around two adult gentlemen — because that’s what they are; they are very sweet and kind and hilarious and inappropriate sometimes and it’s the best — I just learned so much.”

She adds, “And my expectation for a man, to be honest — or any human — is to be as decent as these two human beings are. Because they have been doing this longer than I’ve been alive, and they are the kindest people.”

But whether or not Selena is actively looking for a man is another issue entirely — she’s kinda busy. Having finished filming the second season of Murders, she says she’s going to be working on new music “until season 3.”

“My therapist is like, ‘Girl, are you ever gonna find a man?!’ I’m like, ‘I dunno’… But I do feel like right now, in my life, I am just so open, and I love what I do … I just am in a really good space right now, and I’m enjoying it,” she notes.

As for the prospect of turning 30 on July 22, Selena says she’s happy about getting older, because she’s finally arrived at a place where her emotions aren’t “taking over me anymore.”

And, she reveals, “I am having a party, because I was like, ‘You know what? All my friends back home are married with kids, so I’m just gonna throw my own party.’”

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Demi Lovato returns to rock roots with new single “Skin Of My Teeth”

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Demi Lovato is back — by the skin of her teeth. 

The 29-year-old singer dropped their new single “Skin Of My Teeth” on Friday along with the visuals to match. Both the track and the video introduce a new rock era for Demi, which she told Jimmy Fallon during an appearance on The Tonight Show on Thursday, was actually a return to her roots, noting, “that’s what I started singing when I released my first album, second album…”

Over a background of drums and guitar, Demi openly references her previous drug struggles and mental health.

“Demi leaves rehab again / When is this s*** gonna end? / Sounds like the voice in my head / I can’t believe I’m not dead,” she powerfully opens the song.

Meanwhile, in the music video, viewers watch as Demi soaks in a bathtub while wearing a white tee, eventually having to fight off the grim reaper who “knocks on my door.”

“I’m alive by the skin of my teeth / I survived, but it got harder to breathe /Askin’ why doesn’t make it easier / Go easier on me,” she pleads in the chorus. 

“Skin Of My Teeth” is the leading single off Demi’s forthcoming eighth studio album HOLY F***, which is due out August 19. Demi told Fallon she’s especially proud of this release.

“I came out of treatment again and I realized like, I really wanna do this for myself and I want to make the best album possible, something that you know, really represents who I am” she said, adding, “The easiest way to do something the most authentic is to do it clean and sober. I made this album clean and sober, I can’t say that about my last album.”

The accompanying tour is set to kick off on August 13.

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Jennifer Lopez delivers emotional speech thanking “disappointment” and “failure” at ‘2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards’

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Jennifer Lopez delivered a powerful speech while accepting the Generation Award at the 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards on Sunday.

The actress and singer, 52, was honored with the award that “celebrates beloved actors whose diverse contributions to both film and television have turned them into household names.”

During her acceptance speech, Lopez acknowledged how much her roles have meant to her and the impact of those who have helped her — or attempted to hold her back — along the way.

Reflecting on her previous roles, she said: “I look at those movies and I see all the wonderful people that I’ve been blessed to know and to work with. You’re only as good as the people that you work with, and if you’re lucky, they may make you better. And I have been very lucky in that regard.”

“As an actor, I’m not any of the women that I’ve played, but there is a part of what is deeply true to me in each one of those characters,” she continued.

“I want to thank all the people who gave me this life,” she said. “I want to thank the people who gave me joy and the ones who broke my heart. The ones who were true and the ones who lied to me. I want to thank true love and I want to thank the way that I lied to myself because that’s how I knew that I had to grow.”

“I want to thank disappointment and failure for teaching me to be strong and my children for teaching me to love,” she continued. “I want to thank all the people who told me, to my face or when I wasn’t in the room, that I couldn’t do this. I really don’t think I could have done it without you.”

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Jennifer Lopez reportedly wants to wed Ben Affleck “sooner rather than later”

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Wedding bells for Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez will come “sooner rather than later” — that is, if J-Lo has her way.

“Jennifer will tell you she’s not in a rush to get married, but her friends think otherwise,” a source tells Us Weekly. “The truth is that if Ben wanted to push this forward as early as this summer, she’d be totally down with that.”

The insider also says the 52-year-old actress/singer, “wants the formalities out of the way so they can start their journey as man and wife sooner rather than later,” and she intends to have a big wedding.

“She definitely wants a spectacular celebration at some point and money won’t be an object!” the source continues. “They’re both committed to making this work and taking all the steps necessary to respect each other’s boundaries and learn from their mistakes the last time around.”

Ben and Jennifer, aka “Bennifer,” rekindled their romance last summer after Jennifer broke up with Alex Rodriguez. They first met in 2002 on the set of their film Gigli. In June 2002, Lopez filed for divorce from then-husband Chris Judd after two years, and began publicly dating Affleck.

Affleck proposed the following November, but called things off in September of 2003, just days before they were supposed to tie the knot. By January 2004, they had officially split.

If the couple makes it to the altar, it’ll be the Jennifer’s fourth marriage, and Affleck’s second. Jennifer shares twins Max and Emme, 14, with her ex-husband Marc Anthony, while Affleck has three kids with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner.

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‘American Idol’ recap: Season 20 winner revealed!

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The winner of American Idol season 20 is Noah Thompson!

The reveal came Sunday night during the three-hour finale, but not before some final challenges and star-studded performances. 

The show opened up with Flo Rida performing his hit “Good Feeling” with an assist from both current and past contestants. Then, it was time to get down to business with the first round challenging the Top 3 — HunterGirlNoah Thompson, and Leah Marlene — to take on a song from the prolific catalog of Bruce Springsteen. Leah expertly executed “Born in the U.S.A.”, HungterGirl smashed “Dancing in the Dark,” and Noah hit home with the classic “I’m on Fire.”

Round two was the singles round, where the final three performed their own songs. Leah’s track was titled “Flowers,” Noah’s “One Day Tonight,” and HunterGirl’s “Red Bird.”

After their performances, it was time to eliminate the person with the least votes, which ended up being Leah. 

The celebrations continued as the countdown to crowning the season’s winner drew closer with acts from the Top 10 and talented legends like Earth, Wind, and FireDeana CarterBen PlattIdol alum Gabby BarrettSara BareillesThomas RhettMichael Bublé, judges Katy PerryLuke BryanLionel Richie, and more. 

For the last round of competition, the final two did an encore of a previous production they did on the show. Noah showed growth with Rihanna‘s “Stay” and HunterGirl did the same with Rascal Flatts “Riot.”

Afterwards, Noah was crowned the winner and he again performed his single “One Day Tonight.” 

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It’s a boy! Rihanna reportedly welcomes first child with A$AP Rocky

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There’s got to be nothing but love on the brain for Rihanna right now!

The superstar singer and fashion icon welcomed her first baby with rapper boyfriend A$AP Rocky. According to People, a source close to the couple says they are at home in Los Angeles with the baby.

Per TMZ, Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, gave birth to her baby boy last Friday, May 13. The name of the baby is not yet known.

The 34-year-old “Diamonds” singer and A$AP, 33, started dating in July 2020, according to People. The A$AP Mob rapper opened up for Rihanna during the U.S. stops on her Diamonds World Tour. He was also featured on the remix of Rihanna’s 2012 single, “Cockiness (Love It).” The duo was spotted out and about a few times, and rumors really began circulating after Rihanna included A$AP in her 2020 Fenty Skin beauty campaign.

The news of Rihanna’s pregnancy shook the music world. While fans had been patiently awaiting new music from the Barbados native, she was busy planning her preggo debut. In the cute reveal, the couple were photographed in Harlem, New York, A$AP’s hometown, holding hands and showing off Rihanna’s growing baby bump. In one photo, A$AP kisses the mom-to-be on her forehead; in another close-up image, A$AP’s hands adorn hers, showing off not only the bump but also the multicolor jewels that accompanied her stylish foot-length pink jacket.

Throughout the duration of her pregnancy, Rihanna stepped out in style. From multiple chic all-black looks to bump-revealing colorful ensembles and even couture party looks, the singer’s fashion during the nine months was always a topic of discussion.

She opened up about her fashion journey as a mom-to-be to Vogue.

“When I found out I was pregnant, I thought to myself, ‘There’s no way I’m going to go shopping in no maternity aisle,'” she told the magazine. “I’m sorry — it’s too much fun to get dressed up. I’m not going to let that part disappear because my body is changing.”

Rihanna has also opened up about what becoming a mom means to her, saying the experience has changed the way she relates to her own mother, Monica Braithwaite.

“Being on the verge of motherhood, unlocked new levels of love and respect I have for my mommy in a way that I could never explain!” she wrote on Instagram for her mom’s birthday in April. “She’s the true MVP and I wanna give her her flowers every second I can! Love you mumzzzz!!!”

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‘American Idol’ recap: The Final Three revealed

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It got down to the wire on Sunday’s American Idol, with the Top 5 vying to make it into next week’s finale for the crowning of season 20’s winner.

This week, for their first challenge, the finalists were mentored by Grammy-award winner and former American Idol champ Carrie Underwood and were tasked with taking on an iconic song from her catalog. Here’s what the finalists chose.

HunterGirl: “Undo It,” by Carrie Underwood
Leah Marlene: “I’ll Stand By You,” (Cover), by Pretenders
Fritz Hager: “I Want to Remember,” by NEEDTOBREATHE ft. Carrie Underwood
Noah Thompson: “So Small,” by Carrie Underwood
Nicolina: “Blown Away,” by Carrie Underwood

After tackling one of Underwood’s hits, Finneas took the stage and performed his track, “Naked,” before the Top 5 took the stage again. For the second round of performances, the finalists chose a song that could close their show — or, in other words, “an epic encore,” as described by host Ryan Seacrest. Here’s what they chose:

Leah Marlene: “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” by Journey
HunterGirl: “Girl Crush,” by Little Big Town
Fritz Hager: “Youngblood,” by 5 Seconds of Summer
Nicolina: “All I Ask,” by Adele
Noah Thompson: “Working Man,” by Larry Fleet

With their final performance of the night out of the way, it was time to see who America voted into next week’s finale, which would feature performances from judges Luke BryanKaty Perry, and Lionel Richie, as well as Thomas RhettMichael BubléSarah Bareilles, Flo RidaEarth, Wind and Fire and more.

After the votes were tallied, Fritz and Nicolina were the bottom two, sending HunterGirl, Noah and Leah through to the finale.

Catch the American Idol season 20 finale when it airs live Sunday, May 22 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

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