By Mark Gray
8:46am PDT, Jun 26, 2020
Blackface controversy
Jimmy Kimmel on June 23 issued an apology for using blackface and insensitive racial language in old comedy sketches in which he impersonated Black people including basketball star Karl Malone and Oprah Winfrey. They mostly took place while he was starring on Comedy Central's "The Man Show," which aired from 1999 to 2004. "I have long been reluctant to address this, as I knew doing so would be celebrated as a victory by those who equate apologies with weakness and cheer for leaders who use prejudice to divide us. That delay was a mistake. There is nothing more important to me than your respect, and I apologize to those who were genuinely hurt or offended by the makeup I wore or the words I spoke," he said. The comedian explained that he didn't think his Karl skits would be seen as anything other than an imitation of a fellow human being, "one that had no more to do with Karl's skin color than it did his bulging muscles and bald head." He insisted that he didn't approach the impersonations in racial terms, however, "Looking back, many of these sketches are embarrassing, and it is frustrating that these thoughtless moments have become a weapon used by some to diminish my criticisms of social and other injustices." The late night host said he's matured since then. "I know that this will not be the last I hear of this and that it will be used again to try to quiet me. I love this country too much to allow that," he said. "I won't be bullied into silence by those who feign outrage to advance their oppressive and genuinely racist agendas."
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Name change
The Chicks ain't down with Dixie anymore. On June 25, the Dixie Chicks announced that they had changed their name to The Chicks, explaining on their website, "We want to meet this moment." The trio changed their social media handles and website to reflect the new name. The Chicks also amended the cover of their upcoming album, "Gaslighter," to reflect the new name. In addition, the group released a new song on June 25 under the name "The Chicks." The track titled "March March" speaks of peaceful protesting and includes images from recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations. The Chicks follow in the footsteps of Lady A — formerly known as Lady Antebellum — the country music trio that changed their name earlier this month to disassociate the band from racial undertones linked to slavery.
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Married
Surprise! Dennis Quaid and Laura Savoie are married after quietly eloping. The couple announced on June 24 that they'd exchanged vows at a resort in Santa Barbara, California, on June 2. "It was beautiful," Dennis told People magazine. The actor, 66, and the doctoral student, 27, had initially planned to marry in Hawaii this spring but the coronavirus pandemic forced them to cancel. They exchanged traditional vows and Bulgari rings. "Just looking into her eyes, she was the most stunning bride," he said.
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Right to appeal
Less than two years into his three-to-10-year prison sentence for drugging and sexually assaulting former friend Andrea Constand, Bill Cosby has scored a legal win. On June 23, Pennsylvania's Supreme Court ruled that the disgraced comedian is allowed to appeal two key issues from his 2018 trial: First, he can appeal the judge's decision to allow prosecutors to call five other accusers who testified about alleged assaults Cosby made on them, which was done to show a pattern of behavior; and second, he can appeal the decision to let prosecutors introduce his deposition from his civil case in which he admitted to giving Quaaludes to women he wanted to have sex with, because the district attorney at the time had promised to never bring a criminal case against him. Cosby's team, while happy about the decision, compared his situation to the unrest sweeping the country. "America and the world is witnessing the 23rd day of protests regarding the abuse and murder of Black people, not just at the hands of corrupt police officers; but these extremely vital and important protests are exposing the corruption that lies within the criminal justice system (District Attorneys & Judges)," Cosby's attorney said in a statement. "As we have all stated, the false conviction of Bill Cosby is so much bigger than him — it's about the destruction of ALL Black people and people of color in America."
Insta-purge
Billie Eilish has no friends… on Instagram. Earlier this week, the singer unfollowed everyone on her Instagram account. The social media purge came after the music star posted about abusers on her Instagram Story. "If I am following your abuser, DM me and I will unfollow them. I will support you," she wrote. Media reports said she removed the message about 30 minutes later. While it's not known why the Grammy winner deleted her friends list, theories have abounded (Was she hacked? Was this a symbolic statement?).
Baby news
Michelle Williams is a mother of two. Reports this week confirmed that the actress recently welcomed a child with new husband Thomas Kail, her director on "Fosse/Verdon." Michelle also has a 14-year-old daughter, Matilda, with the late Heath Ledger. Little is known about her second child, including its gender, name or date of birth.
Mental health reveal
Kelly Clarkson is opening up about her mental health. While chatting with Demi Lovato, Kelly praised the "Sorry Not Sorry" singer for being real about her issues. "I love how open you are about mental health because I have similar issues, and I suffer from depression," Kelly told Demi during their online video chat. "I think a lot of people, especially in the creative world or just from childhood even, [are] kind of trained to just keep going and 'you can handle it,' especially as a woman it's like, 'Don't let them see you sweat.'" Kelly also thanked Demi for her bravery in speaking openly about her mental health struggles. "I just love that you're open about that because not everybody's as vulnerable at being like that," Kelly said. "And I think it's helpful for your fans, 'cause I know, in every meet and greet, you probably get people saying that — I do too — like, thank you for being open in your songs and open with everybody, 'cause I felt like this was just me, and like, knowing that somebody else is going through it makes you not feel alone and so depressed about it."
Less than one and done
Country music couple Michael Ray and Carly Pearce have split less than a year after tying the knot. The exes' reps confirmed on June 22 that the "Every Little Thing" singer filed for divorce. "This was a hard decision. It wasn't something she wanted to have to do," a source close to Carly told People magazine. "This hasn't been a quarantine realization — it was a last resort." Michael and Carly married on a Nashville-area farm on Oct. 6, 2019.
Silenced?
Politics are at play at QVC, Lisa Rinna has claimed. The "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star alleged on June 25 that she's been "muzzled" because of upset QVC fans — whom she calls "Karens," a slang term used to describe someone who's rude, entitled and out of touch. These people, Lisa said, are angry that she publicly supports the LGBTQ community and the Black Lives Matter movement. "I am sad to report It would now seem I can't use my platform to inform or question or say how I feel politically because the Karen's have bombarded Qvc begging them to fire me and saying they will no longer buy my clothes," Lisa wrote on her Instagram Story. The actress has been selling her eponymous clothing line on QVC since 2012. "It is a shame that I must be muzzled in order to support my family but that is just what it is," she said. "Remember you know how I feel. Use your voice and Vote." Following her post, Lisa vowed, "I have decided not to shut up ever."
Baby news
Emma Roberts is going to be a mom. Us Weekly reported on June 25 that the "American Horror Story" alum and boyfriend Garrett Hedlund are expecting their first child together. Emma and Garrett, who previously dated Kirsten Dunst, were first linked in March 2019 not long after she ended her engagement to on-again, off-again love Evan Peters.
