Latest news with #AmericanIcon
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Diana Ross, 81, looks ethereal in custom-made flowing white gown as Motown legend opens the Henley Festival
Diana Ross looked ethereal as she kicked off this year's Henley Festival with a performance on Wednesday evening. The American icon, 81, had been booked to grace the stage at the British festival after performing a series of dates across the UK on her own tour earlier this month. And Diana proved age is just a number as she put on an incredible show featuring some of her greatest Motown records including Stop! In the Name of Love, Chain Reaction and I'm Coming Out. The Detroit-born songstress initially took to the stage in a sensational white dress as she performed in front of thousands of adoring fans. She later changed into an eye-catching glitzy black number, while flailing an extravagant golden cloak around with her on-stage. Diana kicked off her British tour on June 22 at Birmingham 's BP Pulse Live before performing a further five shows, finishing at London's 02 arena last week. Ahead of the tour Diana revealed she was planning a host of dazzling outfit changes in order to wow fans. All of the gowns she's worn on tour, including the two Diana donned at this week's Henley Festival, have been custom-made for the singer, who has personally designed each one with the help of a seamstress. She too collaborated with the designer on the eye-catching gown she wore at the Met Gala earlier this year, which paid tribute to her children. The American singer has eight grandchildren and five children, including her daughter Rhonda, 53, who often travels with her on tour. Diana looked sensational in the floor-grazing white gown complete with a feather-boa-trimmed cape on the evening, which marked her first appearance at the event in 20 years. Determined to pay homage to all her children and grandchildren on fashion's biggest night of the year, Diana had all their names sewn onto the glamorous gown. 'My son Evan and a young designer, Ugo Mozie, and I collaborated on the gown and cloak that I wore, we wanted something meaningful,' she explained. 'The 18-foot train stretches across generations with the names of my adult children and grandchildren beautifully embroidered on it, it's beaded and has crystals— the details celebrate my family and our love.' In a later interview with The Mirror, the 81-year-old gushed about the importance of family. 'My family is really my greatest joy and blessing,' she said. 'Rhonda travels with me on tour. My five children really take care of their mum.' Diana shares Rhonda with Motown legend Berry Geordy, with the pair welcoming her in 1971. Later that same year, she married her first husband, music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein, and they had two more daughters: Tracee, 52, and Chudney, 49. She split from Robert in 1977 and went on to marry Norwegian mountaineer Arne Naess Jr. in 1986. The former couple welcomed sons Ross, 37, and Evan, 36. Born in Detroit's Brewster-Douglass Housing Project, America's first federally funded housing for African Americans, Diana was one of six children and grew up singing at family parties and in a Baptist church gospel choir. But her life changed forever when she met Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson in early 1959. The three girls, along with Betty McGlown, formed The Primettes, an all-girl singing group. The trio auditioned for the fledgling Motown label, and in January 1961, they were eventually signed as The Supremes. By 1965, they had racked up five consecutive number-one hits with popular tunes such as Baby Love and Stop! In the Name of Love. However, in 1967, the band's name changed to Diana Ross and The Supremes before she went solo three years later.
Chicago Tribune
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Amelia Earhart soars back into the headlines in new book ‘The Aviator and the Showman'
Where's Amelia? We're still looking, though recent events seem to offer the possibility, the I emphasize, that we may find out what happened to aviatrix Amelia Earhart, who, along with navigator Fred Noonan, vanished in their twin-engine Lockheed Model 10E Electra as they attempted to fly around the world. Here's a recent report from Travel Noire: 'U.S. researchers have announced a new mission to locate Amelia Earhart's lost plane. … The expedition … follows compelling satellite imagery that potentially shows parts of Earhart's Lockheed Electra 10E protruding from the sand on Nikumaroro, a remote island in Kiribati, approximately 1,000 miles from Fiji.' We shall see. But this 'news' has popped Earhart back into the news. She vanished in 1937, 88 years ago if you're counting, and few mysteries have been as durable, few people as eternally alluring as Earhart. You would be hard-pressed to find a contemporary comparison to match her. She has an official agent and website. Hilary Swank played her in a movie. There have been many books. And there's Amelia Earhart Elementary School at 1710 E. 93rd St. in the city's Calumet Heights neighborhood. Also an exciting new book, 'The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage that Made an American Icon' by Laurie Gwen Shapiro. Set for formal publication on July 15, it has already created a buzz, with a lengthy excerpt in The New Yorker magazine and a number of favorable reviews. David Grann, the author of such bestsellers as 'The Wager' and 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' says the book is 'an exhilarating tale of the adventurous life of Amelia Earhart and the remarkable relationship that helped to forge her legend … stripping away the myths and revealing something far more profound and intricate and true.' Publishers Weekly calls it a 'nuanced reprisal of Earhart's life (that) certainly tarnishes her reputation, but thereby makes her saga all the more captivating.' And makes the story of her husband all the more disgusting. His name was George Palmer Putnam, who had published aviator Charles Lindbergh's hugely successful life story before he met Earhart. On the prowl for another such novelty and hero, he glommed onto her, taken by her modest accomplishments but also her physical attractiveness and charisma. He wooed her and he promoted her. He's the one who gave her the 'Lady Lindy' tag and further cemented their relationship by having her write her own book, tour the country in her own plane, give hundreds of interviews, embark on a lecture tour, serve as the 'aviation editor' of Cosmopolitan magazine and endorse all sorts of products, including cigarettes. Smart he was, shrewd too. And a master manipulator who left his own wife to marry Earhart. (And, unusually for the time, Earhart did not adopt Putnam's last name). No question he pushed her but did he push her too far? Read the book. But know that you will find a man about whom writer Gore Vidal, whose father was a partner with Putnam and Earhart in an aviation venture, said, 'I never knew anyone who liked Putnam. It was quite interesting. Everybody who knew him disliked him. Some people disliked him and found him amusing and some people disliked him and found him unamusing.' Certainly, many of you know some basics of Earhart's life and a few know of her local connections, even though she wasn't here long. Born and raised in Kansas in 1897, she and her family moved around a bit before coming here in 1914. Her father, Edwin, was a lawyer with a dangerous relationship with booze, and her mother, also named Amelia but called Amy, was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. So, in 1914, Amy and her two daughters (Amelia and Muriel) came to Chicago at the invitation of friends and lived in the Beverly neighborhood home of their friends. Amelia, soon to begin her senior year, found the chemistry lab at nearby Morgan Park High School looked 'just like a kitchen sink.' So she traveled north to spend her senior year at the highly regarded Hyde Park High School, graduating as a member of the class of 1915. She did little to distinguish herself — no activities noted in the yearbook — and then it was off to college. She worked as a social worker and got hooked on airplanes. She had her first flying lesson early in 1921 and, in six months, bought her first plane. In 1928, she was asked to be a passenger with male aviators on a flight across the Atlantic Ocean, emphasis on . Together with pilot Bill Stultz and co-pilot Louis Gordon, she flew in the airplane Friendship, acting as navigator on the flight. On June 18, after 20 hours of flying, they landed in Wales and she became the first woman to cross the Atlantic by air. Acclaim was fast and furious. After lively visits to New York City and Boston, she came here and the celebrations and events were all but overwhelming. She visited Hyde Park High School, where a band played 'Back in Your Own Back Yard'; spoke at the Union League Club and at Orchestra Hall; was cheered by large crowds as she was paraded through the Loop; heard about Mayor Thompson's idea for a lakefront airport to be named Amelia Earhart Field. Headlines blared: 'Old Hyde Park School Friends Fete Girl Flyer.' Earhart spoke: 'I've always loved Chicago.' Famous forever for being lost, there is no denying that she was an inspiration for self-determined feminists and everyday daredevils, but I now think of her also as shy and vulnerable, a victim of shrewd manipulation by a slick operator. Doris Rich, author of 'Amelia Earhart: A Biography,' published by the Smithsonian Institution in 1989, has said, 'The one thing that she really feared was that nothing would happen. She had to have an important life, and that meant you had to have adventure.' That she did, but at what cost?
Globe and Mail
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Project Roar Publishing Releases Lights, Camera, Lionel Trains! A Photo History of an American Icon, Just in Time for Father's Day
Just in time for Father's Day, Project Roar Publishing announces the release of Lights, Camera, Lionel Trains! A Photo History of an American Icon, a visually rich coffee-table book celebrating the enduring legacy of Lionel electric trains. Written by award-winning author and model train historian Roger Carp, the 224-page hardcover volume offers a captivating journey through more than a century of American toy train history. Carp, a seasoned editor and historian with decades of experience chronicling model railroading, brings together 100 photo essays that explore the cultural significance of Lionel trains. From their prominent placement under Christmas trees to their appearances in department store window displays, Lionel trains became deeply rooted in the Americana, as symbols of innovation, joy, and shared family tradition. 'Lionel trains were about more than movement on a track,' says Carp. 'They were about memories, moments shared on living room floors, the sparkle of a holiday morning, the joy of building something magical together. They were, and still are, an essential part of our cultural DNA.' The book showcases more than 220 full-color and black-and-white archival photographs, many of them rare or previously unpublished, from private collections and archives. The collection spans generations, capturing everything from the golden age of postwar toy manufacturing to the hobby's Hollywood connections. Lights, Camera, Lionel Trains! dives into the appearances of Lionel sets in popular culture, including scenes in The Godfather, A Christmas Story, I Love Lucy, and Leave It to Beaver. The book also features rarely seen photos of celebrities such as James Cagney, Joe DiMaggio, and Lucille Ball enjoying their Lionel sets, alongside nostalgic images of everyday families captivated by the magic of miniature railroads. Through detailed photo essays and accompanying commentary, readers get to revisit the height of Lionel trains' influence during America's post-war boom, revealing how these model trains became emblems of childhood wonder and adult craftsmanship. Designed for both collectors and newcomers to the hobby, the book is available in two editions: a standard edition and a limited edition autographed by Roger Carp and the publisher. Perfect for Father's Day, Lights, Camera, Lionel Trains! offers a nostalgic journey through American history that's sure to resonate with dads, grandfathers, and collectors alike. The book is available for purchase through Amazon and the publisher's website About Roger Carp Roger Carp is a Lionel trains expert and senior editor at Classic Toy Trains magazine. He has written over 20 books on Lionel's history and legacy and holds a Ph.D. in American history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. About Project Roar Publishing Founded in 2001, Project Roar Publishing is a publisher dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of American toy trains through authoritative books and archival resources. Known for high-quality publications and historical accuracy, Project Roar serves collectors, hobbyists, and historians with a passion for American railroading heritage. Socials: @projectroar Media Contact Company Name: Project Roar Publishing Contact Person: Jared Kuritz Email: Send Email Phone: (760) 550-9850 Country: United States Website:
Washington Post
08-05-2025
- Washington Post
Smokey Robinson's lawyer says rape allegations against him are 'vile' and 'false'
LOS ANGELES — Smokey Robinson's lawyer said allegations of rape and sexual assault against him in a lawsuit from four former housekeepers are 'vile' and 'false.' Attorney Christopher Frost said in a statement Wednesday that the evidence 'will show that this is simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon.'
Washington Post
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
The Post Annouces Immigration and Border Security Team
We're proud to announce the members of The Post's newly formed immigration and border security team in the National department. The team has quickly distinguished itself with scoops, analysis and riveting narratives that explained the numerous changes President Donald Trump has made to the U.S. immigration system. The first weeks of the Trump administration have demonstrated the importance of the team's work, focused on changes in immigration policy and enforcement and their humanitarian, societal, political and economic impacts. This team will aggressively cover the story not only in Washington but also at the border and elsewhere. It will partner with colleagues around the room whose responsibilities intersect with immigration coverage to produce agenda-setting, dynamic and visually engaging journalism in all formats. As previously announced, Jenna Johnson will lead the team. She is joined by Christine Armario, who is on a detail as the team's deputy from her role as a deputy editor on the America team. The reporters are: Jose A. Del Real, Silvia Foster-Frau, Arelis R. Hernandez, Marianne LeVine, David Nakamura and Maria Sacchetti. Christine is a versatile editor with a sharp news sense who is known for diplomatically orchestrating large projects and gracefully elevating narratives. On the America desk, she edited stories on overwhelmed deputies in Eagle Pass, Texas; the far-reaching implications of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's election police unit; division in Butler County, Pa., after the Trump assassination attempt there; and Jair Bolsonaro's cameo as a Florida man. She spearheaded investigations in collaboration with the visual forensics team, including an examination of the flawed medical response to the Uvalde school shooting. More recently she led a joint investigation with Lighthouse Reports and Mexico's El Universal into migrant drownings in Texas. Before joining The Post as a general assignment editor in 2021, Christine spent more than a decade at the AP, reporting from eight countries in the Americas. Maria, a longtime immigration reporter at The Post, is one of the nation's leading experts in the intricacies of the complex U.S. immigration system and is deeply sourced on the topic, producing multiple scoops in recent weeks. Arelis, who is based in Texas, will continue to document how policy changes in Washington play out on the southern border with Mexico and can quickly shift the trajectory of the lives of migrants fleeing violence, poverty and destruction in their home countries. Arelis was one of the lead reporters in the 'American Icon' series, which won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize and WHCA's Katharine Graham Courage and Accountability award. Silvia, a national investigative reporter, previously covered communities suffering from toxic drinking water. Before that she was also one of the lead reporters on the 'American Icon' series. As the Post's multiculturalism reporter, she reported on demographic changes throughout the country, including a piece that won the NAHJ Elaine Rivera Civil Rights and Social Justice award. She joined The Post in 2021 from the San Antonio Express-News and has also reported for Hearst's Connecticut newspapers. She is president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists - DC Chapter. Marianne joins the team after covering the Trump campaign during the 2024 presidential election, where she wrote about Trump's search for a vice presidential running mate, his efforts to appeal to female voters, his obsession with mentioning Hannibal Lecter and the time he swayed to music for 39 minutes at a town hall with Kristi L. Noem, now the homeland security secretary. Previously, Marianne covered the U.S. Senate for more than four years at Politico. Her first beat was covering labor policy. David joins the team after covering civil rights at the Justice Department, chronicling issues including police reform, rising hate crimes and challenges to voting rights. He previously wrote extensively about immigration while covering the Obama and Trump White Houses — and was once scolded by President Obama in the Rose Garden for yelling out a question about a spike in unaccompanied minors at the southern border. Jose, a narrative features writer for The Post, writes in-depth stories about everyday people as they navigate national trends within their families and communities. In 2016, he covered Trump's first campaign and the rise of the MAGA movement for The Post. Later, as a national correspondent based in Los Angeles for The New York Times, he often wrote about the opioid epidemic, bicultural life in the southwest, and the way public policy fails farmworkers. Jose was recognized with the Livingston Award for National Reporting in 2022. The team started work on Inauguration Day. Please join us in congratulating them.
