Viral and vital, college gymnasts finding their voice
The social justice movement in college athletics has popped up in most unusual place: gymnastics. From UCLA to Pittsburgh, Black gymnasts and the programs they represent are using their platform to empower and uplift. Her experience at Arkansas was simply reflective of the culture at large in the sport at the time. From Pittsburgh to California, female gymnasts are using their platform to empower, educate and bring light to causes they believe in. โPersonally I would say (gymnastics) is a predominantly white sport,โ Ward said.
Joe and Jill Biden to appear on โNew Yearโs Rockinโ Eveโ
Jill Biden moves her husband, Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden, back from members of the media as he speaks outside his campaign plane in New Castle, Del., on Oct. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)NEW YORK โ Ryan Seacrest will have a special pair of guests alongside the music stars at this yearโs New Yearโs Eve celebration on ABC โ the president-elect and the future first lady. President-elect Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden are scheduled to give โtheir last interview of the yearโ in New Yorkโs Time Square on โDick Clarkโs New Yearโs Rockinโ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021.โThe Bidens will "share an inspiring message as we come together to close out 2020 and look ahead with hope to 2021,โ according to a statement by the producers. โDick Clarkโs New Yearโs Rockinโ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021โณ will run until 2 a.m. Eastern on Jan. 1. Seacrest is returning to host the event for a 16th year, and he will be joined by Porter and Lucy Hale in New York.
Russell Wilson, Ciara fund charter school in Seattle area
Wilson and his Grammy-winning wife, pop singer Ciara, are putting their money and celebrity behind rebranding a charter school, which advocates hope will boost the troubled Washington state charter school sector that has suffered from enrollment problems after years of legal challenges. Washingtonโs charter law allows for up to 40 publicly funded, privately run charter schools to set up by 2021. Then there were two major lawsuits challenging the law before the Supreme Court ruled in support of charter schools, settling the matter in 2018. While Democrats and Republicans have supported charter schools in the past, the issue of school choice has become immensely polarizing politically. Wilson, joining a long line of celebrities that have launched schools, said the couple's charter school financing is not a political statement.
Apple Music launching shows with Snoop Dogg, Shania Twain
NEW YORK Apple Music is launching several new radio shows hosted by A-list musical acts, including Snoop Dogg, Shania Twain and Carrie Underwood. The streaming service announced that it will debut two new radio stations Tuesday: Apple Music Hits, focused on popular songs of the 80s, 90s and 2000s, as well as Apple Music Country, dedicated to the country music genre. Both channels will have daily on-air hosts but will also include several shows hosted by well-known musicians. Apple Music Hits will include shows hosted by Snoop Dogg, Twain, Alanis Morissette, Backstreet Boys, Meghan Trainor, Ciara, blink-182s Mark Hoppus and Huey Lewis. Apple Music also announced Tuesday that its popular Beats 1 radio station featuring shows hosted by Billie Eilish, Elton John and Lil Wayne will be renamed to Apple Music 1.
2020 ESPYS: Russell Wilson and Ciara Host Backyard Red Carpet in Bathrobes
However, it's a red carpet set up by host Russell Wilson and wife Ciara in their backyard -- and the dress code is as comfy as it gets! "We at the ESPYS red carpet," Wilson said in the clip. "Quarantine-style, ESPYs 2020," Ciara added while prancing around the camera showcasing her straight-out-of-the-shower look, which was completed by wrapping her hair into a towel on her head. Wilson meanwhile posted a video in which he asked the all-important red carpet question -- about what Ciara was wearing. It really felt like we were on the ESPYS red carpet, he said.