Month: July 2024

Country singer Ingrid Andress has broken her silence after her highly-criticized national anthem performance prior to the MLB Home Run Derby on Monday went viral. Andress made headlines after singing the national anthem at Arlington’s Globe Life Field in Texas, where the All-Star Game is being held this year. Andress’ performance faced backlash from viewers, which was full of missed notes, pitchiness and questionable runs.

Andress, 32, revealed that she was intoxicated while singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and is now checking herself into rehab, sharing in a statement posted via X on Tuesday, July 16: “I’m not gonna bulls–t y’all, I was drunk last night. I’m checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need. That was not me last night. I apologize to MLB, all the fans, and this country I love so much for that rendition. I’ll let y’all know how rehab is[.] I hear it’s super fun. xo, Ingrid”

Andress released her debut album, Lady Like, in March 2020 and received three Grammy nominations the following year (for Best New Artist, Best Country Song for “More Hearts Than Mine” and Best Country Album for Lady Like). Andress was again nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance in 2023 for “Wishful Drinking,” a collaboration with Sam Hunt from her second album, Good Person.

Per ESPN, Andress is the daughter of former major league strength and conditioning coach Brad Andress, who worked for the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and New York Mets. Major League Baseball spokesperson Matt Bourne said that the league had no comment, and a representative for Andress said there will be no additional comment at this time.

Just prior to her performance at the Home Run Derby, Andress announced on social media that she has a new song slated to arrive later this month: “Greetings to everyone that has a pulse I truly love you all so much. I’ve been absent for a minute, but I’m so stoked to announce that my new single ‘Colorado 9’ comes out on July 24th, pre-save it now: https://ingridandress.lnk.to/presave-colorado9”

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HGTV’s Christina Hall (née Haack) and her husband Joshua Hall, have both filed for divorce after more than two years of marriage. HGTV had just announced that the couple were slated to have a new show coming out in 2025 alongside Haack’s ex-husband (and former Flip or Flop co-star), Tarek El Moussa, as well as his wife, Heather.

According to court papers obtained by TMZ, Joshua, 43, filed for a dissolution of marriage on Tuesday, July 16, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split and listed the date of separation as July 8. Hall has requested alimony from Haack and asked the court to eliminate her ability to collect from him, further adding that he hopes to split up their assets and divide what was theirs respectively before they tied the knot. Hall also requested that the court to grant him all rights to any HGTV and/or Discovery Network shows or specials the former couple produced during their marriage. Shortly after Josh’s filing, Christina also filed her own divorce papers.

The couple met in 2021 shortly after Christina’s marriage from her second husband, Ant Anstead, ended. Christina, 41, went public with her relationship with Hall shortly afterwards in July 2021, and shared the news of their engagement on Instagram in September 2021, posting a photo of a diamond ring during a vacation in Mexico alongside the caption: “ ” The couple tied the knot in a secret ceremony in April 2022, and had a second ceremony in Hawaii with Christina’s kids in attendance the following October.

Christina shares daughter Taylor, 13, and son Brayden, 8, with El Moussa; and shares son Hudson, 4, with Anstead.

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Jack Black has announced the cancellation of the remainder of Tenacious D’s The Spicy Meatball Tour following backlash received over a controversial comment made by duo partner Kyle Gass on stage in Australia over the weekend. The announcement came Tuesday, following harsh criticism the musical-comedy duo received after making a joke on-stage in Australia about the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump.

Gass came under fire after making an off-color remark about the assassination attempt of Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In fan-captured footage, Black presents Gass with a cake on stage for his 64th birthday, telling him to “make a wish,” with Gass commenting, “Don’t miss Trump next time,” to which Black replied, “Thank you.”  While the audience responded with laughter, after the moment went viral it faced immediate backlash, with Australian officials even calling for the duo to be deported from the country immediately.

United Australian Party Senator Ralph Babet said in a statement on social media that “Tenacious D should be immediately removed from the country after wishing for the assassination of Donald Trump at their Sydney concert. I condemn in the strongest possible way the call to political violence by Tenacious D in Sydney on Sunday. To advocate and or wish for the assassination of a President is egregious, disgusting, filthy, evil, and not acceptable in any way, shape or form. This was not a joke, he was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the President. I call on the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese to join me in denouncing Tenacious D, Jack Black and band member Kyle Gass, and I call on the Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to revoke their visas and deport them immediately. Anything less than deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump, the 45th and soon-to-be 47th President of the United States. Australia wrongly locked up Novak Djokovic and deported him because he allegedly undermined public trust in vaccination. Allowing Tenacious D to remain in Australia after calling for the death of a President is unthinkable, and it affirms the weakness of our current Prime Minister.”

In his statement on social media Tuesday, Black wrote: “I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form. After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”

Gass also apologized, stating: “The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and terrible mistake. I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgment. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”

Tenacious D launched The Spicy Meatball Tour last year, performing in 24 cities and selling out London’s O2. The tour was to hit seven cities through Australia and New Zealand through next week.

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Will Forte is returning to Netflix and reuniting with his former Saturday Night Live colleague Tina Fey for her new series, Four Seasons. The series, based on the 1981 film of the same name, was co-created by Fey with the cast featuring Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, Kerri Kenney-Silver and Erika Henningsen. Forte and Fey were castmates on SNL for four years (2002-06) and Forte later had a recurring part on Fey’s series, 30 Rock.

The 1981 film Four Seasons was written and directed by Alan Alda, and centered on three couples who vacation together each season and the changes in the group dynamic when one of couples splits up and the man brings a much younger woman on subsequent trips. Alda also starred in the movie alongside Carol Burnett, Len Cariou, Rita Moreno, Jack Weston, Sandy Dennis and Bess Armstrong.

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Disclaimer, a new show starring Cate Blanchett, is coming to Apple TV+ in October.  Apple TV+ released a first look image of the seven-episode series and announced an Oct. 11 premiere date; with the first two episodes will drop simultaneously, followed by new episodes every Friday through Nov. 15, 2024 (per Variety).

Disclaimer is a psychological thriller based on the bestselling novel by Renée Knight, with the film adaptation written and directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón. Blanchett plays Catherine Ravenscroft, an acclaimed journalist who built her reputation by exposing the misdeeds and transgressions of others. Her life unravels after receiving a novel from an unknown author about her own dark secrets. An official synopsis reads: “As Catherine races to uncover the writer’s true identity, she is forced to confront her past before it destroys both her own life and her relationships with her husband, Robert (Sacha Baron Cohen), and their son, Nicholas (Kodi Smit-McPhee).” 

The show features a score composed by Oscar-winning, singer/songwriter/producer Finneas O’Connell, the brother of Billie Eilish.  The cast of Disclaimer also includes Lesley Manville, Louis Partridge, Leila George and Hoyeon.

Disclaimer will have a two-episode premiere Oct. 11 on Apple TV+.

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Fitness guru Richard Simmons died at the age of 76 over the weekend. TMZ was first to report the news on Saturday, July 13. The outlet, citing the Los Angeles Police Department, stated that authorities responded to Simmons’ home after a 911 call from his housekeeper, where they found Simmons had died.

Simmons’ longtime publicist, Tom Estey, confirmed to PEOPLE that the fitness coach died at his Los Angeles home one day after celebrating his 76th birthday.  Said Estey:  “The world has truly lost an angel.”  Simmons’ brother, Lenny Simmons, also confirmed the death in a statement. “I don’t want people to be sad about my brother. I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives. We are in shock. Please respect the family at this difficult time,” he said. According to ABC News, the fitness guru appeared to have died of natural causes and no foul play is suspected.

An overweight child born raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Simmons – born Milton Teagle Simmons to vaudeville performer parents — moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s. He educated himself on all he could about nutrition, and in 1975 opened a health food store/exercise studio, Ruffage and Anatomy Asylum. The studio became a hit with celebrities, and Simmons lived a life in the spotlight from then on.  He released five bestselling books, producing more than 50 workout videos and hosting weight loss cruises, while teaching classes at his Slimmons studio in Beverly Hills and appearing on talk shows and speaking tours.Simmons made regular TV appearances on talk shows including the “Late Show with David Letterman” and the “Rosie O’Donnell Show.” He also had a regular role on the soap opera “General Hospital” and made guest appearances as himself on shows such as “Arrested Development” and “The Larry Sanders Show.” He also hosted his own talk and fitness show, “The Richard Simmons Show,” from 1980-1984, which won four Daytime Emmy Awards.

The fitness guru  had not been seen in public since 2014, when he made the decision to retreat from the public eye; Simmons made his last public appearance in January of that year, and taught his final class at his famed Slimmons studio that February (Slimmons officially closed in November 2016).  However, Simmons was a regular poster on his social media platforms in the past months, with his last posts coming as recently as Saturday morning local time to let his followers fans know he appreciated their birthday well-wishes. Simmons wrote on Friday, July 13: “Thank you…I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday. Love, Richard”

Simmons also had just spoken to PEOPLE about his plans to celebrate his 76th birthday, in a story published on Friday. He said he planned to blow out a few candles for the occasion: “But the candle will probably be on a zucchini. You know, I’m a vegetarian,” he said, before admitting that he would try “maybe one Pepperidge Farm Milano cookie.” Simmons added that he felt good to turn 76: “I am grateful that I’m here, that I am alive for another day. I’ll spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is to help people.”

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