| | |  | Celebrity News & Gossip
|
|
| | Kristin Chenoweth on her anthem performance: I just wanted to make Oklahoma proud | | Added 7 days ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
Y?all had a lot of thoughts about Kristin Chenoweth?s rendition of the National Anthem the other day, and I loved it! Quick replay: the NBA Finals came down to the Indiana Pacers vs the Oklahoma City Thunder, with the game held Sunday on the Thunder?s home turf. Kristin, who hails from Broken Arrow, OK, got the ball rolling by singing ?The Star-Spangled Banner? ahead of the proceedings, clad in her own Thunder t-shirt and bedazzled knee-high boots. I think for many people tuning in for the basketball, this was an introduction to Tony Award-winning Kristin and her classically-trained voice. This is the good witch who originated the role of Galinda on Broadway ? she?s got soprano pipes and she knows how to use them! Fresh off the triumphant night, Kristin spoke with The Oklahoman about the preparation she put into singing the anthem, her pride in the team, and a few Wicked thoughts:
How was it seeing the Thunder?s championship scene play out at Paycom Center?
I was so happy. We had great seats, and people asked if I was nervous about the anthem. No, I was nervous about the team. I wanted us to win.
Did it go through your mind before you sang that you wanted to set the tone or get the team off to a smashing start?
You know, sometimes when I get asked to do the anthem, it?s by either the NFL or the network or something. But this one was the Thunder, and I took it very seriously.
And I always take singing that song very seriously, because of the beautiful words, the lyrics of the song. So, I just wanted to make Oklahoma proud.
And, yeah, I guess I did want to set the tone (and) just get everybody ready to really cheer their brains out to, hopefully, win. (chuckles)
Was that an extra fancy version of the anthem for the Thunder?
Yeah, I went up to the High C. It?s the night to do it, you know? I?m an Okie. The Thunder is my favorite team. It?s the very final game; we?re at home; we want this championship. We?ve never been there. It?s our turn. All of those things are going through my mind. So, that?s the time to really sing it.
What are your thoughts on how many more people have embraced ?Wicked? since the first movie came out and with the second one coming?
Oh, I love it. But I knew when we opened in San Francisco, before we hit Broadway, that we were going to be a hit. I just didn?t know (how big).
What, 23 years later, ?Wicked? is still relevant. So, it?s been a good year. It?s just been a good year.
And now you?re getting ready to debut ?The Queen of Versailles? on Broadway?
Yeah, we start (rehearsals) in August, and we open in November. But I?m an athlete, too. I?ve got to get my mind, body and spirit ready. ? I?ve got to get focused on my own game. That?s what I?ve got to do. (laughs)
[From The Oklahoman]
?And I always take singing that song very seriously, because of the beautiful words, the lyrics of the song.? That?s why I wanted to cover this little interview, because so many of you noted in the comments the other day about how well, and distinctively, Kristin told the story of the song through her performance. And then heck yeah she hit that High C! Some people may just not like opera, but I think the NBA and the Thunder knew what they were getting when they asked Kristin to perform, and in the end, the pride went both ways.
True story: growing up in San Francisco, my mother and I got season tickets to a ?Best of Broadway? series, to see touring productions and shows in previews. And yes, that package included the pre-NYC debut of Wicked, in the short period before Robert Morse was replaced by Joel Grey as the Wizard (Bob booked Mad Men not long after, don?t worry). But guess who?s the munchkin-headed idiot who gave up her seat at the last minute? Me, that?s who! My reason for backing out was vague (though in my defense, I was a teenager at the time). Anyway, my mother and her friend thoroughly enjoyed it and saw the hit it was destined to be. For my part, I picked up the book and was instantly under its spell. We got the first Wicked: For Good trailer recently, and everyone was excited about hearing parts of the titular song. Personally, I can?t wait to see and hear Part II?s opening number, ?Thank Goodness.? I never saw Kristin perform it live (again, because I?m a boob), but her command of that song, the subtleties and character arcs she conveys through her voice alone, even just listening to the cast album she always gave me chills.
Embed from Getty Images
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Cate Blanchett wore conch shells to the Serpentine Gallery summer party | | Added 8 days ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
Here are some photos from the annual Serpentine Gallery event, which was held last night. Fun fact: Princess Diana wore her famous little-black-revenge-dress to the Serpentine Gallery reception in 1994. This year, Cate Blanchett who is now living in England full-time and integrated within the upper echelon of British society acted as co-chair of the Summer Party. Cate wore Dilara Findikoglu to the event? and I really dislike it! She loves oddball stuff like this though. Cate fully wore conch shells on her hips.
Alicia Vikander in custom Louis Vuitton this is prettier from a distance and very bridesmaidy up close.
Kelly Osbourne looks like this now.
Lord Freddie Windsor and his wife Sophie Winkleman were there. He always looks like the pale horse ridden by Death.
Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer coordinated in red for some reason. Also very bridesmaidy.
Minnie Driver looks great from the neck up, but this has got to be one of the most unflattering dresses. It?s literally designed to be tent-shaped.
Jourdan Dunn was like the only one there who heard ?summer party? and actually wore a cute, fun cocktail dress.
Photos courtesy of Cover Images.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | TMZ: Orlando Bloom will 'make his debut as a single man' at the Bezos wedding | | Added 8 days ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
Well, it?s been heavily previewed for the past two weeks, and here?s our big confirmation: Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom are over, completely done. In recent weeks, we?ve heard a steady stream of seemingly authorized leaks to People, Us Weekly, TMZ and Page Six about the separation or split. Orlando and Katy never married, although they were engaged for a good chunk of their (on-and-off) nine-year relationship.
Orlando Bloom is psyched to let loose at the Bezos/Sanchez wedding, and all indications are hes now a single man.
Sources in the know tell TMZ Orlando may make his debut as a single man during the festivities. As one source put it, Hes the life of the party and hes gonna hit the dance floor hard!
Were told Orlando might even sneak away with Leo DiCaprio for some bar crawling!
Theres been a lot of speculation Orlando and Katy Perry have split, and as we first reported shes not attending the wedding.
KP is in the middle of her world tour, but theres clearly trouble in paradise, and our sources say that could be very apparent during this weeks festivities in Venice.
One source tells TMZ, 90% of the people at the wedding are kinda boring, but 10% are really fun, including Orlando, Leo and Jeff (Bezos). Its gonna be a great party!
[From TMZ]
I remember when Orly and Leo DiCaprio used to hang out, it was back in the Miranda Kerr era of Orly?s life. I didn?t even know they were still friends or friendly enough to relive their glory days. Leo?s got a girlfriend though he?s been with Vittoria Ceretti for about two full years now. Vittoria is Italian AND 27-years-old. Which means? she?s probably invited to the Bezos-Sanchez wedding too, and thus, Leo might not have time to hang out with newly single Orlando Bloom. Anyway, I still don?t really understand why now, why this breakup rollout, and what?s driving this, but I accept that Katy and Orlando are done and it?s probably better for both of them.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images and Backgrid.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Taylor Swift supported Travis Kelce at the opening night of Tight End University | | Added 8 days ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
Taylor Swift made a surprise public appearance in Nashville last night! Taylor and Travis Kelce walked hand-in-hand at the opening ceremony for Tight End University. You might think? gosh, that sounds filthy! But no, Travis is a football tight end, and he started ?TEU? as a multi-day ?training camp? for tight ends to bond and hang out. This is one of Travis?s things and his girlfriend came out to support him.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have made their red-carpet debut. The pop superstar and Kansas City Chiefs football player, both 35, walked hand-in-hand into the opening night ceremony for Tight End University in Nashville. Kelce founded the annual three-day summer training camp in 2021 with fellow NFL stars George Kittle and sportscaster Greg Olsen.
According to the events website, the camp was founded to help tight ends bond, collaborate with, and learn amongst their peers while participating in a variety of activities including film study, on-field drills, recovery, rehabilitation, and more.
A video posted by the Tight End University Instagram page shows the couple beaming as they walk a red carpet into the event. Swift was dressed in a green and white checkerboard top and a matching peplum skirt. Kelce complemented his girlfriends look in a white collared tee with yellow embellishments, matching shorts, and white sneakers.
In the comment section, fans couldnt help but point out that it was the first time the couple had walked a red carpet together. ?So, are we calling this their first red carpet but casual? one fan wrote.
[From People]
That?s not all Taylor changed outfits and went on stage for an impromptu mini-concert at the TEU opening-night celebration. She performed ?Shake It Off? with a live band! Very cute. I don?t think she was scheduled to perform at all Chase Rice was the actual musical act, so I think Taylor ended up performing with Rice?s backing band.
| Taylor Swift performing ?Shake It Off? tonight at the TEU concert tonight in Nashville!
pic.twitter.com/XPOFkU9inU
Taylor Swift Updates (@TSUpdating) June 25, 2025
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Hugh Jackman & Deborra Lee Furness have officially finalized their divorce | | Added 8 days ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
About a month ago, Deborra Lee Furness issued a pretty ballsy public statement about the end of her marriage to Hugh Jackman. Hugh and Deborra separated in the fall of 2023, and it?s widely believed that they spent the better part of a year and a half negotiating their divorce after 27 years of marriage. I also believe Deborra made her statement after she and Hugh completed their divorce settlement negotiations and were waiting for the judge to sign off. The timing is important it?s pretty reasonable to think that Deborra probably has to sign an NDA as part of the divorce, so her statement in which she said flat-out that Hugh betrayed her was a bombshell. Jackman and his team reacted poorly, and they furiously tried to clean up the mess. But it doesn?t change the fact that Hugh dumped his wife of 27 years for a married woman, Sutton Foster. Well, anyway, the divorce has been finalized.
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness have officially finalized their divorce. Online court records from New Yorks Suffolk County Supreme Court show that a judgment of divorce was filed on June 12, and later uploaded to the website on Monday, June 23. The case status is now listed as Disposed.
Furness, 69, filed for divorce from Jackman, 56, on May 27, roughly two years after the pair initially announced they had amicably ended their marriage in September 2023. Her divorce filing indicated the terms of their divorce were uncontested and would only need a sign-off from a judge.
After Furness divorce filing, she said in a statement that her heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal. It?s a profound wound that cuts deep, however I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us. This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage. I have gained much knowledge and wisdom through this experience. Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose.
It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom, Furness added in her statement.
[From People]
It?s sad but I like that Deborra and Hugh took their time to really negotiate every part of their divorce, and apparently Deborra is getting a good chunk of the money and assets they built together. A few weeks back, there was a story about all of their property and how they?re divvying up their real estate holdings. It was widely rumored that Hugh would get their NYC penthouse, but it looks like Deborra actually bought him out of the property and now it?s solely hers. Too bad for Sutton, who reportedly wanted to move into the penthouse as soon as Deb moved out. I would guess that Deborra probably holds on to one of their properties in Australia too, don?t you think?
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Brad Pitt: 'When I?ve stepped in s?, I?m pretty good at taking responsibility for it' | | Added 9 days ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
One of my biggest theories about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie?s 2016 split is that Pitt was blackout drunk on the plane and he has no memory of how he violently terrorized Angelina and their six kids for hours. Both Angelina and Brad have said or indicated that he was drinking on the plane, but if he was blackout drunk, it would explain some of what Pitt did afterward, as he desperately tried to contain the story (without even remembering what he did) and how he STILL blames Angelina for leaving him (without ever acknowledging that she had every right to protect herself and the kids). Why am I bringing this up? Because Pitt appeared on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, who has spoken about his alcoholism and sobriety journey for many years. Apparently, Dax and Brad met in an AA meeting?
Brad Pitt is opening up about his experience with Alcoholics Anonymous. The 61-year-old Oscar winner opened up about the experience on the Monday, June 23 episode of Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard. The two actors also spoke about getting to know one another in an AA meeting.
Pitt called AA an ?amazing thing,? noting, ?I just thought it was just incredible men sharing their experiences, their foibles, their missteps, their wants, their aches, and a lot of humor with it. I thought it was a really special experience.
Shepard, 50, who has been very open about his struggles with substance abuse and sobriety, wondered if Pitt was ?nervous? to speak with him publicly after they met in AA, noting the ?really heightened honesty and vulnerability of the situation.
But Pitt assured him that he was, Quite at ease.?
Pitt also shared that while he was a bit ?shy? coming into the AA group, he also didn?t hesitate to open up because of how low he was at that time.
?I was pretty much on my knees, and I was really open,? he told Shepard. ?I was trying anything and everyone. Anything anyone threw at me. It was a difficult time. I needed rebooting. I needed to wake the f up in some areas. And it just meant a lot to me.?
As well as referring to himself as a ?stubborn f,? Pitt also noted some of his more positive qualities.
?When Ive stepped in s, Im pretty good at taking responsibility for it and owning up to it. And now its a quest to, you know, ?What do I do with this? How can I [right] this?? And make sure it doesnt happen again.? Pitt said that after a few sessions, AA meetings became ?something Id look forward to.?
The F1 star added that he approached therapy with a similar openness, saying, ?When I jumped into therapy then, I was just like, ?And I did this and I did that and da da da da,? ? calling his approach ?desperate.?
[From People]
I?ve been covering this saga long enough to remember that Pitt apparently refused to go to a traditional rehab facility back in 2016, and he did some kind of makeshift, home-based drying out, at least that?s what we were led to believe. Sobriety is sobriety and I?m not minimizing Brad?s sobriety, if he actually is sober (we have no way of knowing but I doubt it). He?s purposefully trying to make it sound like he?s been working a program this whole time and he just hasn?t. I don?t even believe he regularly goes to AA meetings. And even then, this is probably his biggest fking lie: ?When Ive stepped in s, Im pretty good at taking responsibility for it and owning up to it.? Brad Pitt? Taking responsibility? Where? When?
Photos courtesy of Cover Images, Backgrid.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Brad Pitt posed with Ines de Ramon & Tom Cruise at the London 'F1' premiere | | Added 9 days ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
Every single part of the F1 promotion is giving me second-hand embarrassment. A 61-year-old wife-beater trying to play-act the hip young action star, with his much younger beck-and-call girl on his arm for strategic photo-ops and nothing more. And now Brad Pitt has roped in Tom Cruise! These photos are from last night?s London premiere of F1. Tom Cruise pretty much lives in England full-time, and he ended up coming out for this premiere. I think Tom?s decision was less about Brad and more about the F1 team, which sounds like pretty much the entire team from Top Gun: Maverick. Tom and Brad have had beef for years they didn?t get along at all when they made Interview with a Vampire, but they?ve buried the hatchet, it seems.
Solely judging from the paparazzi photos in New York last week, it really felt like Ines de Ramon did not fly out of New York at the same time as Brad. Which is more evidence to our growing theory that her contract (??) must stipulate ?no air travel with Brad Pitt.? She likely flew solo to London just to attend this premiere with him. I wonder if she used British stylists too her styling is so different in these pics than when she?s appeared with him in America. Her gown in these photos is Fendi, and she carried a Fendi bag (the Nano Baguette). She?s way too young for him.
As for Brad and his green double-breasted suit and scarf? he?s been trying to make the vintage Robert Evans look happen and it just doesn?t work. Arguably, Brad had ?it? at some point, many years ago. But he?s lost ?it.? I hope this movie bombs so hard. *fingers crossed*
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Elizabeth Hurley & Billy Ray Cyrus showed PDA at Miley's movie in London | | Added 9 days ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
Last week, Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus walked the red carpet together in London for the Royal Academy of Dance Fundraising Evening. I?m presuming that fundraiser was something that Elizabeth was more passionate about. Several weeks ago, they also popped up in Rome for the opening of a new art exhibit. If those two events were for Liz, then this past weekend, it was Billy Ray?s turn. BRC, Liz, and Lizs son, Damian, attended the international premiere of Miley Cyrus? Something Beautiful film in London. Not only did they show up for Miley, they also gave everyone else a show with their blatant PDA. Elizabeth even posted a video to Instagram from the night.
Fashion first: After that dreadful cream-colored knit dress that she wore next week, Elizabeth looks way better here. She?s back to the jewel tones, which suit her skin tone. Her hair looks great when it?s straightened like that. Her makeup is nice, too. That said, holy boobs, Batman! Honestly, I can?t decide if I like the dress or not. I like the colors. She and Damian were clearly theme-dressing for the occasion. As for Billy Ray, it?s a fun shirt! He looks much more comfortable to not be wearing a tux. His hair also looks much lighter than it did last week. Did he do some manscaping on the beard and goatee?
If you watched Liz?s Insta video, below, you may have noticed that it was set to Miley?s song, ?Easy Lover,? which is a single from Something Beautiful. I know that they were there to support Miley?s film, but I find it kind of weird that she posted a PDA-filled video using her boyfriend?s daughter?s song about having a difficult lover. Fun fact: ?Easy Lover? was originally written for Plastic Hearts, which ended up becoming Mileys post-divorce album. When Beyonc asked her to send some songs for them to collaborate on for Cowboy Carter, Miley sent her ?Easy Lover? and an earlier version of ?II Most Wanted,? originally titled ?Shotgun Rider.? I think Queen B made the right choice.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Elizabeth Hurley (@elizabethhurley1)
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Kristin Chenoweth's rendition of the National Anthem at the NBA finals was polarizing | | Added 9 days ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
The American National Anthem takes no prisoners, musically speaking. Sure, we all get by when singing in a crowd. But belting it out solo, with the spotlight that entails, requires tuning the pipes and rehearsing the sh-t out of it before hitting the stage. When you hear a singer really in command of the melody, it?s sublime. When it?s less than that, our ears pick up on the struggle. So when I heard that THE Kristin Chenoweth was stepping out on court to deliver ?The Star-Spangled Banner? ahead of Sunday?s NBA Finals, I breathed a sigh of relief straight from the diaphragm. Because Ms. Chenoweth is in charge of any song she sings, never the other way around, thankyouverymuch. Sadly, not all were appreciative of Kristin?s powerful voice. While I thought the performance was a slam dunk (sportsball pun!), others found her rendition polarizing, as they noted vociferously online:
Kristin Chenoweth may be Broadway royalty, but NBA fans were less than enchanted by her national anthem performance.
The Oklahoma-born singer and Tony Award winner performed ?The Star-Spangled Banner? during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, June 22. Dressed in an Oklahoma City Thunder graphic T-shirt and silver embellished boots, the ?Wicked? star sang in her distinctive musical theater tone. Toward the end of the anthem, Chenoweth, 56, held a long, opera-style high note to applause before concluding her rendition.
Many viewers at home weren?t quite sold on the showtune flair:
?This is the worst National Anthem I ever heard,? one user wrote.
?They got a opera singer doing the national anthem I?m done,? another wrote.
?Listening to the national anthem at that part,? one user captioned a gif of NeNe Leakes seeming visibly taken aback.
?They shoulda invited that girl who sang the national anthem in Spanish to sing there,? one fan chimed in, referring to R&B singer Nezza?s recent performance of ?The Star-Spangled Banner? in Spanish at a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game.
Though everyone didn?t share Chenoweth?s love for musical theater, her Oklahoma City Thunder still pulled off a win to take home the city?s first title, defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91.
One user in their criticism called back to one infamous rendition of the national anthem, adding, ?this national anthem up there with fergie.?
Fergie?s 2018 performance at the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles drew much criticism at the time, leading the singer to explain to TMZ at the time, ?I?m a risk taker artistically, but clearly this rendition didn?t strike the intended tone. I love this country and honestly tried my best.?
[From USA Today]
No! No no no no no no. You don?t do this to Emmy and Tony Award winner and classically-trained songstress Kristin Chenoweth! In June, no less, the month of Pride and the Tonys!! Honestly, I thought she killed it. There?s one moment towards the end, which I guess is tripping up these naysayers, where she does trill out on a super soprano high note. You know why? Because she CAN. I thought it was baller flex
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Beyonce & Miley Cyrus performed 'II Most Wanted' for the first time in Paris | | Added 13 days ago | Source: CeleBitchy |
|
|
|
|
|
We haven?t talked much about Beyonce?s Cowboy Carter tour, or Kendrick Lamar?s GNX tour either. Both tours are massively successful and I love seeing all of the videos and photos on my timeline, but the stories are usually just ?hey, Beyonce or Kendrick did something cool and everyone loved it!? Well, Beyonce has taken Cowboy Carter to Europe, and it?s been really great to see Europeans attempt the ?cowboy? dress code. Last night, Beyonce began her three-night concert series in Paris. Beyonce loves Paris, and she always does something extra special for the French crowds. Well, last night, she brought out Miley Cyrus for their first-ever live performance of ?II Most Wanted.? I?ve said this before, but I was really surprised by how much I love this song and it quickly became one of my favorites on the album. The way Miley and Beyonce harmonize on it is really gorgeous. The performance last night was amazing too (this is not the complete performance).
Miley Cyrus channels Beyonc as she joins her on stage to perform ?II MOST WANTED? in Paris. pic.twitter.com/xckbhpVJjp
Pop Base (@PopBase) June 19, 2025
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | 5.952.744
Photos Online+ 4.919 past week
1.430
Users Online | | |
| | | | | | | | Coming Up Soon
Alaina Huffman
Barbie Blank
Brie Bella
| | |
| | | | | We Salute
Kate Hudson
Photos of Kate Hudson will not count in your daily view limit, if you are a registered member
Tribute ends in
6 days | | |
| | |
|
