By Wonderwall.com Editors
10:42am PST, Jan 26, 2022
Taylor Swift calls out Damon Albarn for claiming she doesn't write her own songs
Taylor Swift's had a change of heart about Damon Albarn after the Blur and Gorillaz frontman claimed she doesn't write her own songs in a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times. "I was such a big fan of yours until I saw this," Taylor tweeted on Jan. 24 after spotting the Times pieces. "I write all of my own songs. Your hot take is completely false and so damaging. You don't have to like my songs but it's really f***** up to try and discredit my writing. Wow." She later added, "PS I wrote this tweet all by myself in case you were wondering." In the interview, Damon was explaining how tough it can be to perform a solo show on piano, as he was slated to do this week at Disney Hall, when the conversation turned to the quality of modern pop music. "You learn whether the songs are any good or whether they were popular at the time because of the sound and the attitude. It's a day of reckoning — and one, to be honest, that not much modern music could withstand," Damon said. When the interviewer asked if Damon thought modern musicians were "relying on sound and attitude," he challenged the writer to name an artist who doesn't. The interviewer offered up Taylor as an example of a strong songwriter. "She doesn't write her own songs," Damon said. The interviewer then defended Taylor, saying "of course she does," before adding that she "co-writes some" of her music. "That doesn't count. I know what co-writing is. Co-writing is very different to writing," Damon retorted. "I'm not hating on anybody, I'm just saying there's a big difference between a songwriter and a songwriter who co-writes. Doesn't mean that the outcome can't be really great. And some of the greatest singers — I mean, Ella Fitzgerald never wrote a song in her life. When I sing, I have to close my eyes and just be in there. I suppose I'm a traditionalist in that sense." Taylor wasn't the only person who took issue with Damon's claims on Twitter. Her producer Jack Antonoff chimed in on the conversation, too, writing, "I've never met Damon Albarn and he's never been to my studio but apparently he knows more than the rest of us about all those songs Taylor writes… If you were there…cool…go off. If not…maybe…shut the f*** up?" Eventually, Damon caught wind of the posts and shared an apology. "I totally agree with you. I had a conversation about songwriting and sadly it was reduced to clickbait," he posted. "I apologize unreservedly and unconditionally. The last thing I would want to do is discreet [sic] your songwriting. I hope you understand."
Keep reading to see how Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian and more stars are honoring designer Thierry Mugler after his death …
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Chris Martin makes cute cameo in Dakota Johnson's Sundance interview
Chris Martin had an accidental cameo at the virtual Sundance Film Festival over the weekend when his girlfriend, Dakota Johnson, had trouble getting her Zoom call set up right for an interview. The actress, 32, was attempting to discuss her film, "Cha Cha Real Smooth" when she gave up trying to fix the issue herself and asked for a hand from the Coldplay frontman, according to E! News. Chris was reportedly able to solve his lady's technical glitch and briefly appeared on the screen when Dakota's camera popped back on. "Hello!" he hollered to the other folks on the call. "Welcome, welcome. Peace!" he added, then ducked out of view. Chris, 44, and Dakota were first linked romantically back in 2017. He's said he wrote the 2021 Coldplay single "My Universe" about Dakota.
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Beyonce, more stars pay tribute to late fashion designer Thierry Mugler
Manfred Thierry Mugler — who imprinted his bold style on Beyoncé's 2009 I Am… world tour and dressed music stars from Diana Ross and Madonna to David Bowie, George Michael and Cardi B — died on Jan. 23 at 73, his team announced on Instagram over the weekend. Bey and other celebrities paid tribute to the late fashion designer on social media in the wake of his death, with many of them sharing collages and galleries of the iconic pieces he created for them through the years. "Rest in Peace," Beyoncé wrote in a post on her website above a photo of Thierry as a young man, followed by dozens of photos showing Bey wearing his designs, including the gold, bedazzled leotard she wore on the 2009 tour. Diana posted about his death as well, sharing a pic of her standing beside Thierry in a sheer, skin-colored dress embroidered with brightly colored pasties on the chest. "I will miss Thierry Mugler this was a wonderful time in our lives," she wrote. "Gone to soon 💔💔💔," Irina Shayk wrote on Instagram "God of fashion .. a rarely REAL, kindness , sweetest .. u ll be always missed by your Russian… 😔😔😔😔 @manfredthierrymugler 🙏." Kim Kardashian, who also worked closely with the designer, shared photos of herself with Thierry wearing his pieces on Instagram. "Manfred Thierry Mugler 💔 My heart breaks," she wrote. "There's no one like you! Your vision, your transformations, your magic! I am so honored to have known you, spent time with you and be a muse for you."
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Bella Hadid reflects on giving up alcohol
Bella Hadid embarked on her first Dry January this year, but as she recently told InStyle, she's mostly avoided booze since the middle of 2021. That was part of the motivation for Bella, 25, to launch Kin Euphorics, a new, non-alcoholic beverage brand that comes packed with adaptogenic herbs and botanicals that are believed to increase brainpower and lower stress levels, among other advantages. "I have done my fair share of drinking," the model admitted to InStyle. "I loved alcohol and it got to the point where even I started to, you know, cancel nights out that I felt like I wouldn't be able to control myself." When a doctor showed Bella brain scans indicating some of alcohol's most detrimental effects, she said it became "a lot harder to pick up the glass." Instead, she now prefers drinks like Kin's Lightwave or Kin Spritz. "I drink this when I have crippling anxiety and I can't leave my house or when I'm not gonna drink alcohol but still want to loosen up and be able to speak to people and socialize," Bella says, adding that Lightwave "does really calm your brain, your nervous system, and those late-night thoughts." Looking ahead, Bella explained why she doesn't see drinking as part of her future. "I don't feel the need because I know how it will affect me at 3 in the morning when I wake up with horrible anxiety thinking about that one thing I said five years ago when I graduated high school," she said. "There's just this never-ending effect of, essentially, you know, pain and stress over those few drinks that didn't really do much, you know?"
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Queen Latifah breaks silence on Chris Noth sexual assault allegations
For Queen Latifah, recent allegations Chris Noth sexually assaulted two women were "surreal," after she spent much of the past two years working wigth the actor on "The Equalizer." While Chris has denied both claims, CBS announced in late December that he had would "no longer film additional episodes of 'The Equalizer,' effective immediately." Now, Latifah's breaking her silence on the allegations, which were made public last month in The Hollywood Reporter. "It's still surreal," Latifah says in a new edition of "People (the TV show!)." It is such a dicey, delicate situation that requires a great deal of respect. That's a personal thing that he's going to have to deal with." Asked how Chris' character would be written off the series, Latifah said that decision has yet to be made. "We are figuring out what we want to do creatively on the show and how we're going to deal with that character," she explained. "Chris's character's obviously a big part of the show and it was amazing chemistry, amazing chemistry. And my feeling is justice has to prevail regardless. I just want the right things to be done, you know?" Following the women's allegations, Chris told THR in a statement: "The accusations against me made by individuals I met years, even decades, ago are categorically false. These stories could've been from 30 years ago or 30 days ago — no always means no — that is a line I did not cross. It's difficult not to question the timing of these stories coming out," he continued, adding, "I don't know for certain why they are surfacing now, but I do know this: I did not assault these women."
'James Bond' producer says Idris Elba has been 'part of the conversation' regarding the next 007
After years of rumors Idris Elba could be the next James Bond, franchise producer Barbara Broccoli has admitted he could still take over for Daniel Craig — maybe. "Well, we know Idris — I'm friends with him and he's a magnificent actor," Barbara said on the latest edition of Deadline's "Crew Call" podcast. "You know, it's been part of the conversation, but it's always difficult to have the conversation when you have someone in the seat," she explained. "I think we have decided that until 'No Time to Die' has kind of had its run and Daniel has been able to — well, we've all been able to — reap the benefits of Daniel's wonderful tenure, we're not gonna think about or talk about anybody else, actors to play the role or storylines or anything. We just wanna live in the moment, the present." Daniel has played 007 since 2006. He announced "No Time To Die" would be his final installment as Bond prior to the film's release last year. Speaking to Vanity Fair in 2019 about whether he'd consider taking on the special agent role, Idris said he was "disheartened" to hear some people thought he shouldn't be involved in the franchise "… and it really turns out to be the color of my skin," he noted to Vanity Fair in 2019. "And then if I get it and it didn't work, or it did work, would it be because of the color of my skin?" he wondered. "That's a difficult position to put myself into when I don't need to."
Jojo Siwa celebrates the first anniversary of her coming out
It's been one year since Jojo Siwa came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and in a post marking the anniversary over the weekend, she said never seen the kind of support she's gotten since she embraced her true self. "In the last 365 days I've felt more love than ever," Jojo, 18, wrote on Instagram alongside a gallery of photos that started with a shot of her in a T-shirt that read, "Best. Gay. Cousin. Ever." "A year ago today I posted this picture and shared with the world that I was gay," she continued. "I get asked a lot, 'was coming out scary for you' … The answer is yes of course, anything that's different about you is scary. however… it's what makes me… me. So I had no fear with sharing it with the world." The "Dance Moms" star went on to write she's also often asked if she worries about "telling kids" she's gay, given the young age of her fan base. "Truthfully, I feel like I was put on this earth to be a role model for kids, and letting all the kids of the world know that loving everyone for who they are no matter what is something that I will always believe in and always share," the "Bommerang" singer explained. "Please never forget that no matter who you are, what you look like, who you LOVE that you are absolutely perfect," she added. "Thank you for showing me the most love throughout this year and throughout my entire life. I love you all." Jojo's currently performing on her national D.R.E.A.M. tour.
Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan may not attend Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee
Prince Harry and his father, Prince Charles, are reportedly trying to restore their relationship ahead of Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee this summer, but the timing of the queen's celebration honoring her 70 years on the throne could complicate things. According to People, Harry and Duchess Meghan's daughter Lilibet turns 1 on June 4 — right in the middle of the palace's planned Jubilee, which runs from June 2 – June 5. Although Lili was named in honor of Elizabeth's nickname, the monarch has yet to meet her granddaughter in person. Over Lili's birthday weekend, the queen is due at events including the Derby at Epsom Downs, the BBC's Platinum Party at the Palace, Trooping the Colour, the lighting of Platinum Jubilee beacons, a service at St. Paul's Cathedral, the Big Jubilee Lunch and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, all of which would presumably make it tough to schedule much quality family time. It's also unclear if Meghan and Harry will be given the commemorative medals Elizabeth traditionally bestows upon members of her family; a source told People last week she was likely to include the couple despite their decision to step down from their roles and move to the U.S. The co-hosts of the podcast "Royally Us," however, recently predicted the pair would be left out of the medal distribution this year. Harry's request for a judicial review of a decision barring him from paying for police protection for his family during U.K. visits is another factor that could complicate plans for Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lili to travel to England for the Jubilee.
