By Wonderwall.com Editors
5:05pm PST, Nov 10, 2023
Courted for D.C.
If you think "President 'The Rock'" has a nice ring to it, you're not alone. According to Dwayne Johnson, multiple political parties approached him about making a White House bid in 2022. The actor and retired wrestler, 51, recently appeared on the first episode of Trevor Noah's new "What Now?" podcast, where he was asked about a 2021 poll that showed 46 percent of adult Americans would consider voting for him in a presidential election.
Dwayne joked the poll's results either meant he was a "paragon of what people would hope a leader would be" or that things in the U.S. had "gotten so bad" people were ready for a candidate who could "come in here and lay the smack down." He also revealed the political establishment took the poll pretty seriously.
"At the end of the year … in 2022, I got a visit from the parties, asking me if I was going to run and if I could run. It was a big deal. And it came out of the blue. And it was one after the other," said the "Jumanji" star, per Deadline. "They brought up that poll. They also brought up their own deep dive research that would prove, should I ever decide to go down that road, that I would be a real contender," he added, without specifying which parties contacted him.
Keep reading to find out how Dwayne's conversations with reps for the parties went, then click on for more news ….
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'Surreal' experience
"It was all very surreal because that's never been my goal," Dwayne continued. "My goal has never been to be in politics. Matter of fact, there's a lot about politics that I hate."
After the 2021 poll first showed voters might really support a "Dwayne Johnson for president" campaign, the actor told USA Today he "would consider a presidential run in the future if that's what the people wanted." Ultimately, though, Dwayne said on "What Now? with Trevor Noah" that being a dad with young daughters at home makes running for office less appealing. (He also noted "the parties" began contacting him after his USA Today comments.)
"I know what it's like to be in an occupation that took me away [from parenting duties] … I don't want that for my little ones now," he explained. "And so, that was my – one of my primary discussions with the parties, who ultimately were like, 'Yeah but, the other ones have done it like this!'"
Dwayne shares daughters Jasmine, 7, and Tiana, 5, with wife Lauren Hashian. He also shares 22-year-old Simone Johnson — a pro wrestler like her dad who goes by Ava Raine in the ring — with his ex-wife, producer Dany Garcia.
Keep reading for the latest on Taylor Swift's Eras tour, the Chrisleys' new prison concerns and more news …
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Falling in love again
Taylor Swift returned to the stage in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Nov. 9, for her first performance in months. It was also the singer's first show since she and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce went public(-ish) with their romance — a fact that was lost on zero Swifties when she surprised the crowd by adding "Labyrinth" to her set list. The lovestruck ballad revolves around the refrain, "Uh oh, I'm falling in love / Oh no, I'm falling in love again," which Taylor delivered with an endless smile on her face, according to social media footage from the show. The moment left Taylor's fans swooning — and collectively convinced she's falling for Travis after having split from actor Joe Alwyn earlier this year.
"Something about taylor singing labyrinth while she herself is falling in love again and the smile on her face when she sings it," one Swiftie gushed on X, formerly Twitter. "The way she smiled while singing 'I'm falling in love again' IM CRYING," another wrote.
Travis, meanwhile, arrived in Buenos Aires to see Taylor on Nov. 10, the same day her "Midnights" album snagged 2024 Grammy nominations in six categories, including the top honors, according to Entertainment Tonight. He was expected to attend her show that evening, but it was canceled due to dangerous weather and flooding.
MORE: See Taylor Swift's custom Versace bodysuit in Argentina and more of her best performance looks of all time
Prison guard 'retaliation'
Savannah Chrisley claims her father, Todd Chrisley, is facing "retaliation" from prison guards over her public critiques of the penal system and her parents' living conditions behind bars. "It's been really tough [for them] since I started speaking out about everything," Savannah told Entertainment Tonight on Nov. 8. "That's been the toughest part. More so for Dad. There's been a lot of retaliation, so we have to worry [about him]."
Todd Chrisley and his wife, Julie Chrisley, are currently serving a combined 15-year sentence for bank fraud and tax evasion convictions. The former "Chrisley Knows Best" stars are in different states — Todd is serving his reduced 10-year sentence in Pensacola, Florida; Julie's serving her reduced five-year sentence in Lexington, Kentucky. Since they turned themselves in, Savannah and her brother, Chase Chrisley, have spoken out about the conditions in both facilities. Chase has said Todd's prison is full of black mold, while Julie's has no air conditioning.
"Right now they're trying to move him from the facility he's at now, because of the latest things that I've posted on Instagram," Savannah told ET. "And that's the tough part — the moment you start speaking out, you have to pay for it." The TV star thinks the guards at her dad's facility are considering emptying his commissary account to "starve" him, among other things. Despite that, Savannah says Todd wants her to keep speaking out.
"He and I have had the discussion [and] his exact words were, 'If I have to be uncomfortable in order to hopefully implement and force change, then I'm willing to do it,'" she said.
Domestic violence allegations
Keke Palmer was granted a temporary restraining order against Darius Jackson, the father of her son, as well as temporary sole custody of their 8-month-old son — with no visitation rights — People reported on Nov. 10. The "Nope" actress filed a request for the restraining order in Los Angeles on Nov. 9, alleging domestic violence, according to documents viewed by the outlet.
In a statement to the court, Keke cited "many instances of physical violence, including striking and grabbing me around the neck, descriptions of Darius destroying my personal property, including diaries and prescription eyeglasses, throwing my belongings into the street, throwing my car keys to prevent me from driving away, hitting me in front of our son …," and other forms of physical and emotional abuse.
The restraining order mandates that Darius must stay at least 100 yards away from Keke and their son. A hearing in the case was set for Dec. 5, the outlet reported.
Tour bus crash update
Shania Twain said her crew is safe, but urged fans to "hold those you love" after her tour's crew bus was involved in a multi-vehicle crash while traveling to the singer's next performance destination in Canada.
"First and foremost my touring family are safe," Shania wrote in an Instagram Story on Nov. 9, one day after the accident left 13 people injured. "Anyone needing medical care is receiving great support. The local community and every single crew person has been phenomenal in the face of a very scary scenario."
The singer was not on the bus when it lost control and rolled onto its side in southeastern Saskatchewan, along the Trans-Canada Highway, Canada's Globe and Mail reported. Roads in the region were "extremely slippery Wednesday morning after rainfall and snow," the outlet noted. Local firefighters reportedly rescued people trapped inside the bus by using the emergency hatch and removing the windows, according to the outlet. Injured production crew members were reportedly treated at a nearby hospital and released.
"Hug and hold those you love," Shania added in her post. "We are doing the same!"
Grammy nods galore
Nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards were announced via livestream on Nov. 10, and SZA leads the pack, with a whopping nine nods for music from her album, "SOS," which is up for album of the year. The singer-songwriter also has a contender in both the record and song of the year categories, her single "Kill Bill." Coming in at second place with seven nominations each were Phoebe Bridgers, Serban Ghenea and Victoria Monét, while Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, Jon Batiste, boygenius, Brandy Clark, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo each snagged six nods.
Following the announcement, Miley congratulated her fellow nominees on social media. She also praised the large number of women artists being recognized this year.
"Watching women rule the music industry makes me proud. It's fun to be nominated & exciting to win but having my music LOVED around the world is the real trophy," Miley wrote. "To my Smilers – I celebrate YOU today. Your joy is my bliss. My team + all of my collaborators are irreplaceable & priceless pieces of this puzzle. I love you all. Thank you for making my Endless Summer Vacation so sweet."
This year's nominees face off at the 2024 Grammy Awards on Feb. 4 in Los Angeles. The Recording Academy has yet to announce a host for the awards show.
