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#1 Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande drops new album, fires back at Grammys
(CNN)Ariana Grande's eagerly awaited album has arrived and she gave fans a little bit extra.
Ariana Grande✔@ArianaGrande
mhmmm here it is ! “too late for her to pull something together......”
Ariana Grande✔@ArianaGrande
i’ve kept my mouth shut but now you’re lying about me. i can pull together a performance over night and you know that, Ken. it was when my creativity & self expression was stifled by you, that i decided not to attend. i hope the show is exactly what you want it to be and more.
Ariana Grande✔@ArianaGrande
i’ve kept my mouth shut but now you’re lying about me. i can pull together a performance over night and you know that, Ken. it was when my creativity & self expression was stifled by you, that i decided not to attend. i hope the show is exactly what you want it to be and more.
Ariana Grande✔@ArianaGrande
i offered 3 different songs. it’s about collaboration. it’s about feeling supported. it’s about art and honesty. not politics. not doing favors or playing games. it’s just a game y’all.. and i’m sorry but that’s not what music is to me.
On the heels of heartbreak and a big breakup, the six-time Grammy-nominated songstress dropped her latest work, Thank U, Next, at midnight on Friday, giving fans 12 fresh tracks to go into the weekend with.
While Sweetener was, well, sweet as Grande serenaded fans with melodies about falling in love and reaping success, this latest installment to her discography breaks down some of the fantasy for a closer look at the cracks.
Whether it be "Fake Smile," where the songstress admits to putting on a front to deal with speculation about her, to "Ghostin,'" a track about not being able to shake a lost love—while your current love suffers—the star was not afraid to get raw. Allow us to break it all down:
The line is perhaps a nod to her speedy engagement toPete Davidson. She attributes some of her behavior to past traumas. "Sorry if I'm up and down a lot/Sorry that I think I'm not enough/And sorry if I say sorry way too much/You can go ahead and call me selfish/But after all this damage, I can't help it," she sings.
"Baby, I can't really miss you if I'm with you/And when I miss you, it'll change the way I kiss you/Baby, you know time apart is beneficial/It's like I'm the universe and you'll be N-A-S-A," the lyrics read.
In a metaphorical sense, she also possibly compares herself to space because there are parts of her her partner (compared to NASA) hasn't explored or doesn't understand. "You don't wanna leave me, but I'm tryna self-discover/Keep me in your orbit and you know you'll drag me under," she adds.
"Don't want you in my bloodline, yeah/Just wanna have a good time, yeah/And no need to apologize, no/But you gon' have to let this shit go/Don't want you in my bloodline, yeah/Not tryna make you all mine, yeah/And no need to apologize, no/But you gon' have to let this shit go, yeah," the song goes.
From the sound of the song, she's telling a lover things are over. "No, we won't be talking the next day/I ain't got nothin' to say (Yeah, nah)/I ain't lookin' for my one true love/Yeah, that ship sailed away," she sings.
She also questions whether he's as in love with her as he claims. "Get it like you love me/But you don't, boy, it's just for show."
A similar theme emerges on "Ghostin,'" on which she sings about suffering through the loss of a love while it affects her current partner, an obvious reference to the sudden and tragic death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Millerwhile she was engaged to Davidson.
"Baby, you do it so well/You been so understanding, you been so good/And I'm puttin' you through more than one ever should/And I'm hating myself 'cause you don't want to/Admit that it hurts you."
She uses the modern phrase, "ghosting"—the act of suddenly cutting off communication with someone without warning—in regard to both the sudden loss of Miller and how he still haunts her.
"I know that it breaks your heart when I cry again/Over him, mmh/I know that it breaks your heart when I cry again/'Stead of ghostin' him," the song continues. "Though I wish he were here instead/Don't want that living in your head/He just comes to visit me/When I'm dreaming every now and then (And then)."
"Yeah, look at you, boy, I invented you/Your Gucci tennis shoes, runnin' from your issues/Cardio good for the heart (For the heart, for the heart)/I figure we can work it out, hmm," she sings. "Painted a picture; I thought I drew you well/I had a vision of seeing what isn't there/Caught in the moment, tangled up in your sheets/When you broke my heart, said you only wanted half of me."
Ultimately, her man is not how she saw him to be. "Wanted you to grow, but, boy, you wasn't budding/Everything you are made you everything you aren't/I saw your potential without seein' credentials/Maybe that's the issue (Yeah, yeah)/Said maybe that's the issue, ah/Can't hold that shit against you, ah/Yes, I did it to myself, yeah/Thought you were somebody else."
Thank U, Next is available now.
#2 Albert Finney
Albert Finney: British actor dies aged 82
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESOscar-nominated British actor Albert Finney has died aged 82 after a short illness.
He was a five-time Oscar nominee who began his career at the Royal Shakespeare Company before making his mark in film.
His big film break came as "angry young man" Arthur Seaton in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning.
He went on to star in Tom Jones, as Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express, Erin Brockovich and Skyfall.
A statement from a family spokesman said: "Albert Finney, aged 82, passed away peacefully after a short illness with those closest to him by his side.
"The family request privacy at this sad time."
Finney's other memorable roles include Winston Churchill in The Gathering Storm, for which he won a Golden Globe and a Bafta.
He also played the title role in Scrooge, billionaire Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Ed Bloom Senior in Tim Burton's Big Fish and the mobster Leo O'Bannon in Miller's Crossing.
Finney was nominated four times for a best actor Oscar and once in the best supporting actor category.
He got back-to-back nominations in 1984 and 1985 for The Dresser and Under the Volcano but never attended the ceremony itself, calling it "a waste of time".
He was the recipient of two Bafta Awards from 13 nominations and received a British Academy Fellowship in 2001.
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) graduate continued working on the stage despite his film success, earning Tony nominations on Broadway for Luther and A Day in the Death of Joe Egg.
He won an Olivier Award for Orphans and was part of the original three-man cast of Art.
His last film role came in 2012 James Bond film Skyfall, in which he played the irascible gamekeeper Kincaid.
'A powerhouse of an actor'
A life-long fan of Manchester United, he declined a CBE in 1980 and a knighthood in 2000.
"I think the Sir thing slightly perpetuates one of our diseases in England, which is snobbery," he said at the time.
He was also reluctant to discuss his craft. "My job is acting, and that is why I hate interviews or lectures, explaining myself to an audience," he once said.
Finney's achievements at the Old Vic theatre were recognised last year on a special commemorative stamp.
Finney was married three times and had one child with his first wife, the actress Jane Wenham.
He was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2007, after which he largely disappeared from public view.
#3 Marc Gasol
Memphis Grizzlies release statement on Marc Gasol from controlling owner Robert Pera
The Memphis Grizzlies released the following statement from Grizzlies Controlling Owner Robert Pera regarding Marc Gasol:
“Marc has been a dedicated teammate, star player and pillar of this team for the past 11 seasons. He plays with a heart and a passion for the game that helped carry this franchise to seven straight playoff appearances, but what Marc has done for this organization is about more than just basketball. He was a part of a core group of players that helped shape the identity of this franchise on and off the court and were embraced by the City of Memphis. On behalf of the Grizzlies organization, I would like to thank him for his blood, sweat and dedication to the Grizzlies and Memphis. The impact he has had on this team and the city will live on, and we look forward to one day welcoming him back home to Memphis where his #33 jersey will hang in the rafters of FedExForum next to Zach and Tony.”
Raptors close deal for Marc Gasol
From NBA Twitter and media reports
Feb 8, 2019 6:52 AM ET
Three-time All-Star Marc Gasol was dealt to the Toronto Raptors.
The Memphis Grizzlies have taken another big step toward rebuilding their roster, trading center Marc Gasol and leaving Mike Conley as the lone remaining piece from the core four of the franchise's best success.
The trade, which was first reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, will send Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, CJ Miles, and a 2024 second-round pick to the Grizzlies for Gasol. The 34-year-old Gasol is averaging 15.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists over 53 games with the Grizzlies this season. Gasol has spent his entire 11-year career with the Grizzlies.
The Raptors (39-16) currently sit in second place in the East. The addition of Gasol should help them keep pace with the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers, who both made moves before Thursday's NBA trade deadline.
Jonas Valanciunas had been sidelined since Dec. 12 with a dislocated left thumb. Prior to the trade, Valanciunas was expected to return to the Raptors' lineup against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night.
> Recapping all the deals from trade deadline day
The Grizzlies traded Gasol, more than two weeks after owner Robert Pera told both Gasol and Conley that they would be listening to offers for two of the league's longest-tenured teammates.
Trading Gasol at least got Memphis something out of a 34-year-old center, who holds a $25 million option he can exercise this summer.
Conley had been linked to Utah, Detroit and even Toronto along with Gasol in a handful of reports, though $67 million over the final two seasons of the max contract Conley signed in July 2016 didn't make a trade easier to piece together. Conley said Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace called him around 15 minutes before the deadline saying the guard would stick around.
"I was prepared for either," Conley said Thursday night after a 117-95 loss in Oklahoma City. "What happens, happens, and I'm here. No matter where I was going to be, I'm all in. No hard feelings. I'm just going to do my job and try to do my best for this team and the guys we have here because they pay me to play, and that's what we do."
Grizzlies coach J.B. Bickerstaff said before the game he didn't expect all the trade rumors to be an issue with Conley.
"With him, just knowing his personality and who he is, I never got the sense that he didn't want to be here," Bickerstaff said. "Again, another guy that's meant a ton to this organization. Memphis is home for him and his family, those types of things. He understands the nature of this business and how it can impact everyone from All-Star caliber players on down."
Instead, the point guard whose 771 games played is a franchise-high - just ahead of Gasol's 769 - is preparing to play without Gasol and with new teammates after a handful of other moves by the Grizzlies. Conley said he thought he was ready for this but found himself dealing with an unfamiliar locker room.
"It's a completely different feel," Conley said. "You get out there to play and you're bringing the guys in the huddle and there's no Marc."
Memphis sent Garrett Temple and JaMychal Green to the Clippers for guard Avery Bradley and confirmed Thursday night both swapping Shelvin Mack to Atlanta for Tyler Dorsey and waiving forward Omri Casspi, who's recovering from a torn meniscus in his right knee.
The Grizzlies let Zach Randolph and Tony Allen leave in 2017 after the franchise's seventh straight postseason appearance.
They tried to rebuild around Conley and Gasol, who had been among just six active NBA players to spend their entire NBA careers of at least 10 seasons with one franchise. They won just 22 games last season without Randolph and Allen, and Conley out most of the season with an injured heel.
After insisting they could be a playoff team this season, they matched the 22 wins from last season on Tuesday in a game Gasol left the arena early after being benched without explanation. Two days later, Memphis traded away its career leader in points, rebounds and blocks to at least get something in case Gasol opted out this summer.
Valanciunas had been expected to return to the court Thursday after missing 25 games with an injured thumb. Now the center gets to try to replace Gasol.
"There is no replacing what Marc has done here, and what he's meant to this team," Bickerstaff said.
It's just the latest off-court drama for a franchise involved in a failed three-team trade in December over confusion about which Brooks (MarShon or Dillon) was included in the deal. MarShon Brooks finally was traded away Jan. 3 along with Wayne Selden Jr. to Chicago. Then the Grizzlies announced Jan. 6 that Chandler Parsons would continue rehab in Los Angeles after reports both sides had agreed to a split.
Now Pera has to decide if he wants to rebuild around Conley and rookie Jaren Jackson Jr., or simply try to get a better offer this summer.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
#4 Rocky Lockridge
Boxer Rocky Lockridge Famous For 'Best Cry Ever Meme' Dies Aged 60
Former boxing champ Rocky Lockridge, who found viral fame after an interview saw him break down in tears, has passed away aged 60.Rocky's family confirmed his death on Thursday which was due to complications from a series of strokes and pneumonia, according to Philly.
The former super-featherweight retired from boxing in 1991 and went on to publicly battle drug problems. Then he appeared on A&E reality show Intervention which helped him to live sober for the last decade.
Ricky Lockridge 6-12@locktwin
It is with great pain but a whole
that I tell you family and friends that my father Ricky Lockridge aka Rocky Lockridge
has passed away. All he wanted was to be in the comfort of his home with friends/ family. God has called him to walk through the gates of heaven
It has been reported that Mr Lockridge died on Thursday morning at his caregiver's home in Camden. His friend and former sparring partner, Perry Dawes, told Philly: "He had a good heart, and he brought himself back up from the bottom."
Rocky's son, Ricky Lockridge, said: "It is with great pain but a whole heart that I tell you family and friends that my father Ricky Lockridge aka Rocky Lockridge has passed away.
"All he wanted was to be in the comfort of his home with friends/ family. God has called him to walk through the gates of heaven."
Rocky Lockridge (R) lands a punch against Eusebio Pedroza. Credit: Getty
Rocky was best known for his defeat against Roger Mayweather with a first-round knockout in 1984 to win the WBA world super featherweight title. This was Roger Mayweather's first loss.
Fans of Rocky's have taken to Twitter with one saying: "I'll always remember him as an extremely talented fan favorite who never gave less than 100%. RIP".
Another added: "What a sad loss. A great boxer, took the legendary Wilfredo Gomez and Eusebio Pedroza to MD losses, beat the likes of Roger Mayweather, our own Cornelius Boza Edwards and peaked in the same era as our legendary @ClonesCyclone - Rocky Lockridge will ALWAYS be remembered. RIP champ".
A third commented: "Loved by boxing fans, played a huge part in making the 80s a great era for the lighter weight divisions. Fought and beat the best. 2 time great! Peace and love".
RIP, Rocky.
#5 Kaley Cuoco Instagram video by Kaley Cuoco • Feb 8, 2019 at 2:02 PM
Kaley Cuoco Posts Sweet ‘Big Bang Theory’ Pictures To Celebrate The Final Season Coming To An End
I'm not crying, you're crying.
If you're ready to ride an emotional roller coaster, look at actress Kaley Cuoco's Instagram. While fans of The Big Bang Theory are already super bummed to see the popular sitcom wrap after 12 seasons (the finale will likely air on April 11), the 33-year-old actress who plays Penny is helping ease the pain with some cute behind-the-scenes pics.
Last night, Kaley posted a group shot of the whole cast after the 15th episode of the final season aired.
Kaley also said that the stage where they film the show has officially been named The Big Bang Theory CBS stage. (Score!)
"Five shows in 90 years have received this honor at WB. We shoot right across from the Friends Stage and I was always amazed at the mark they made on TV history," Kaley said in the caption. "Our show being given the same honor has completely overwhelmed me, and I’m just forever grateful to be part of it."
The proud posts continued with an adorable polaroid of her with BBT friends. One fan left the comment, "Miss you guys already (crying emoji)."
Luckily for Kaley's Instagram followers, she's been spreading the BBT love a lot lately. Just yesterday, Kaley posted a teaser about the season finale of BBT, nodding to a scene she performed in lingerie—and showing off her super-toned abs.
With only a few episodes left, you better keep tabs on Kaley's Insta if you want to get your Big Bang Theory fix.
#6 Bebe Rexha ↬ lau 🥀 on Instagram: “let me just tell y’all this is an underrated BOP and… 9 days until we get LH (i am not okay, i really am not) • @beberexha #rexhars…”
Bebe Rexha scolds pre-Grammys crowd for snoozy response to song
R&B singer H.E.R. gave a next-level performance, sister duo Chloe x Halle matched the greatness of their recent Super Bowl performance and pop singer Bebe Rexha went off on the crowd when they didn’t sing along to her monster hit song.
The female acts, nominated for best new artist at the Grammys, performed Thursday night at Spotify’s pre-Grammy event honoring rising newcomers.
Rexha was fiery during her performance of “Meant to Be,” her record-breaking hit song featuring country duo Florida Georgia Line. When the crowd of music industry players didn’t sing it back to her at Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, she went ballistic, f-bombs included.
“This song was No. 1 for 50 (expletive) weeks,” she said after telling her band to stop the performance. “I work too (expletive) hard for this (expletive), OK?”
Rexha then looked over to her mom and said, “My mom is like ‘please calm down.’ I love you, Mom. I’m calming down.”
“Meant to Be” set a record last year when it spent a historic 50 consecutive weeks at the top of Billboard’s Hot country songs chart. It peaked at No. 2 on the all-genre Hot 100 chart and is nominated for best country duo/group performance at Sunday’s Grammys, giving Florida Georgia Line their first-ever Grammy nomination.
“I worked too hard for this moment. I’m from Staten Island, New York, and I’m standing on this stage right here,” yelled 29-year-old Rexha, who co-wrote Eminem and Rihanna’s Grammy-winning 2013 hit, “The Monster.”
“You’re going to sing the (expletive) words if you know the (expletive) song.”
Rexha’s second try at the song included more crowd participation.
Other singers had an easier time Thursday night.
Bebe Rexha sermonea al público por no corear su canción
CIUDAD DE MÉXICO.- Bebe Rexha sermoneó al público por no corear su más famosa canción en un evento de Spotify .
Rexha fue fogosa durante su interpretación de "Meant to Be", su éxito que rompió récords con el dúo country Florida Georgia Line. Cuando la audiencia integrada por miembros de la industria de la música no la acompañó cantando en el Museo Hammer en Los Ángeles, se puso iracunda y lanzó incluso algunas palabrotas.
"Meant to Be" marcó récord el año pasado cuando pasó 50 semanas consecutivas en la cima de la lista Hot Country Songs de Billboard. Llegó al No. 2 del Hot 100, que incluye todos los géneros, y este domingo competirá por el Grammy a la mejor interpretación country de un dúo o grupo, lo que representa la primera nominación al Grammy para Florida Georgia Line.
