By Wonderwall.com Editors
5:31am PDT, Aug 26, 2022
Heather Morris claims J.Lo once sent dancers home based on their astrological sign at an audition
Former "Glee" star Heather Morris claims Jennifer Lopez once cut candidates for a professional dance gig based on their astrological sign. "She walks in the room and she said, 'Thank you so much, you guys have worked so hard. By a show of hands if there are any Virgos in the room, can you just raise your hand?'" Heather shared on the latest edition of the "JustSayin' with Justin Martindale" podcast, according to Us Weekly. After getting the Virgos' hands in the air, Heather claimed J.Lo told them, "Thank you so much for coming," before they they "had to leave after a full day of auditioning for Jennifer Lopez." A longtime pro dancer herself, Heather admitted she wasn't in the room at the time but defended the claim by saying she's heard the same anecdote repeatedly from different dancers. She also explained to the host that auditions would often feature eight hours of grueling work, for which "you're not getting any money" while "people [are] judging you the whole time." Pressed as to whether she could confirm the story, Heather admitted, "This is hearsay but true," adding, "When one person says something, could be true [but] when multiple people say something … it's like, 'Oh, that happened.'"
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'Star Trek' icon Nichelle Nichols to be launched into space on memorial space flight
Trailblazing "Star Trek" actress Nichelle Nichols — who played Communications Officer Lt. Nyota Uhura on the cult classic show — will get an appropriately galactic send-off later this year when her ashes and DNA are launched into deep space on Celestis Inc.'s Vulcan Rocket, the company announced this week. Nichelle had worked for many years to recruit minority astronauts, though she never traveled to space herself before she died at age 89 on July 30. Now, a portion of her remains and DNA are set to be included on a memorial space flight aiming to travel "between 150 million to 300 million kilometers into deep space," the company said, according to ET. Nichelle's ashes will accompany those of some of her former "Star Trek" colleagues, as well, including the show's creator Gene Roddenberry, his wife Majel Barrett Roddenberry, "Star Trek" engineer James "Scotty" Doohan, and Douglas Trumbull, of "2001: A Space Odyssey" fame, the outlet reported. Nichelle's son, Kyle Johnson, will also contribute a portion of his DNA on the mission so that he can be by his mother's side in spirit for her trip. "My only regret is that I cannot share this eternal tribute standing beside my mother at the launch," Kyle said in a statement. "I know she would be profoundly honored for this unique experience and enthusiastically encourage all of her fans to join us vicariously by contributing your thoughts, affections, memories, [Nichelle-] inspired successes, dreams, and aspirations via email to be launched with her on this flight!" After she became the first Black woman featured in a lead role on a network TV series on "Star Trek," Nichelle worked for NASA as a spokesperson for its space shuttle program, where Space.com notes she was credited with recruiting hundreds of women and minority astronaut candidates over her decades of service.
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Britney Spears deletes Instagram ahead of Elton John release, vows to 'choose happiness' on Twitter
Once again, Britney Spears has stepped away from the 'Gram. The singer appears to have deleted her Instagram account one day before the Friday, Aug. 26, release of "Hold Me Closer," her new collaboration with Elton John. Moving over to Twitter, Britney promoted the release and vowed to "choose happiness," which apparently includes respecting the "space" she takes up while working to "forgive myself and others," likely a reference to the family members she's been at odds with since she started fighting to terminate the conservatorship she was under for 13 years. "Okie dokie … my first song in 6 years !!!! It's pretty d*** cool that I'm singing with one of the most classic men of our time … @eltonofficial," Britney tweeted on Wednesday, Aug. 24, as fans noticed her Instagram was no more. "I'm kinda overwhelmed… it's a big deal to me !!!" she continued. "I'm learning every day is a clean slate to try and be a better person and do what makes me happy … yes, I choose happiness today," Britney wrote in a second tweet. "I tell myself every day to let go of the hurt bitterness and try to forgive myself and others to what may have been hurtful," she explained. "I want to be fearless like when I was younger and not be so scared and fearful. I pray there actually is truth to the Holy Spirit, and I hope that spirit is with my children as well!!! Yes … I choose happiness and joy today!!!" The duo collaborated on Elton's 1971 hit, "Tiny Dancer," reworked and renamed for the 2022 update. "Thank you for your generosity and just thinking of me to join you on such a brilliant song!!!" Brit previously shared on Instagram in a post about the track. "How cool is it to be a background voice ON YOUR song!!! Sir Elton, I did it thanks to your genius, creative, and legendary mind!!!" Elton, for his part, pointed out that the younger star played a larger role than she'd suggested in the recording. "More than a background singer, darling," he wrote at the time, according to Entertainment Weekly. "Can't wait for everyone to hear what we've been working on!"
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Olivia Rodrigo stuns Billy Joel fans in NYC with two surprise duets
Billy Joel fans at New York City's Madison Square Garden were treated to a sweet moment of mutual musical appreciation on Wednesday, Aug. 24, when Olivia Rodrigo made a surprise appearance onstage. "This is a very talented singer-songwriter," the Piano Man told the audience before listing some of the 19-year-old Grammy winner's accolades. "I like her music and so do my kids. Please say hello to Olivia Rodrigo!" The "Driver's License" singer then stepped out on the stage as the crowd roared, per video posted on social media. "Thank you so much for having me, Billy. I'm such a huge fan and I couldn't have written the next one without you, so thank you," Olivia said, taking a mic. With Billy, 73, back at the piano, she then launched into her single, "Deja Vu," in which the singer reminds an ex that he learned some of his romantic moves — including the Piano Man's 1983 hit "Uptown Girl" — from her. "Play her piano, but she doesn't know," Olivia sang, "That I was the one who taught you Billy Joel." She stuck around for one more duet as the two teamed up for "Uptown Girl."
Harvey Weinstein granted appeal in 2020 sex crimes conviction
A New York State court has granted Harvey Weinstein an appeal in the 2020 sex crimes conviction for which he's now serving a 23-year prison term, CNN reported on Wednesday, Aug. 24. The former Hollywood producer was convicted of third-degree rape and a first-degree criminal sexual act, stemming from claims made by former actress Jessica Mann and former production assistant Mimi Haley. Harvey's conviction was hailed by #MeToo movement leaders as having signaled an important shift in sexual assault survivors' legal rights. But Harvey has long maintained his innocence, and continued to do so in a statement released through his rep following the judge's new ruling. "I am innocent of these charges, and I am so grateful to my attorneys for working hard and smart work on this," the statement read. "Their hard work will help me prove my innocence in the end. I look forward to this opportunity to be heard by the The New York Court of Appeals." In a statement to NBC News, Harvey's lawyer, Arthur Aidala, said he and his team "are hopeful the entire court will find that Mr. Weinstein did not receive a fair trial and reverse his conviction." The 70-year-old Weinstein Company founder has been serving his sentence in Los Angeles, where he faces separate sexual assault charges. He's pleaded not guilty to those as well, according to CNN.
Barbie Ferreira announces 'Euphoria' exit amid rumored clash with Sam Levinson
Following many months of rumored tension between "Euphoria" star Barbie Ferreira and creator Sam Levinson, Barbie announced her departure from the hit HBO series this week on Instagram. In an Instagram Story post on Wednesday, Aug. 24, the actress shared a fan art creation by Hunter Schafer, aka "Euphoria's" Jules Vaughn, of her character, Kat, clad in bondage gear before a laptop. "After four years of getting to embody the most special and enigmatic character kat, I'm having to say a very teary eyed goodbye," Barbie wrote in the caption, per People. "I hope many of you could see yourself in her like i did and that she brought you joy to see her journey into the character she is today. i put all my care and love into her and i hope you guys could feel it. love you katherine hernandez." Fans quickly weighed in on Barbie's exit, which comes after Kat's storyline was drastically reduced despite her being a fan-favorite and frequently earning praise for her character's body and sex-positive perspectives. "Sam Levinson slept on Barbie Ferreira's talent and he'll 100% regret it when she becomes a huge star," wrote one person cited by Jezebel. The rumored clash between Barbie and Sam, detailed by an alleged insider on platforms like Reddit, as well as outlets including the Daily Beast, is said to have grown explosive, with Barbie allegedly walking off the set at one point. The show's second season kicked off in January; HBO confirmed in February that "Euphoria" will return for a third season.
LeAnn Rimes talks changing the narrative on women, aging and 'shame'
With her 40th birthday just around the corner on Aug. 28, LeAnn Rimes is ready to use her music to speak the truth about women, especially when it comes to taboo subjects like aging and sexuality. "There's such a narrative around women as we age, how we can become disposable," LeAnn recently told People. "That narrative is slowly changing, but I believe women like myself can lead an example of how vibrant life can be. Jane Fonda is on my vision board!" The country star's new album, "god's work," is about what she calls "all these emotions that we're told aren't polite," like guilt, rage and anger. "As women in this world, so much is ripped from us. I started to question all those narratives and bring my whole self back online and be whole in this world. And it feels very powerful," LeAnn explained. Inspired by a personal determination to separate who she really is from who she felt she was expected to be, the singer added: "The last several years of my life have been about untangling from what was put upon me from the outside world. I'd been upholding a public image for so long." Looking ahead, she said, "I want to talk about real things — aging and menopause and periods and sex. I want to see women powerful and contributing to this world and sharing their wisdom. It's time to make a shift."
