Latest news with #GLAADMediaAwards
UPI
3 hours ago
- General
- UPI
Japan's Shigeo Nagashima, known as 'Mr. Pro Baseball,' dies at 89
Shigeo Nagashima (L) managed former New York Yankees star Hideki Matsui during his time with Tokyo's Yomiuri Giants. File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI | License Photo June 3 (UPI) -- Japanese sports icon Shigeo Nagashima, known as the country's "Mr. Pro Baseball," died from pneumonia Tuesday, Tokyo's Yomiuri Giants announced. He was 89. The Giants said Nagashima died at 6:39 a.m. local time Tuesday at a hospital in Tokyo. The team plans to establish a memorial Wednesday and Thursday in the main square of Giants Town Stadium. "We offer our heartfelt condolences," the Giants said in a statement. Nagashima, who played third base, signed his first professional contract in 1957. He helped the Giants win nine-consecutive Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973, while scooping up batting titles and MVP awards. He hit .305 with 2,471 hits and 444 home runs over his 17-year playing career, and he was inducted into Japan's Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988. Several MLB clubs attempted to lure Nagashima to the United States, but were unable to purchase his contract. He later became the Giants' manager and then worked as a TV commentator, but eventually returned to the dugout to help the Giants win two Japan Series crowns. He was made the Giants' lifetime honorary manager because of his dugout success. "Hearing the tragic news, I cannot find words to express my feelings," Giants owner Toshikazu Yamaguchi said in a statement issued to the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper. "In my childhood, the Giants meant a team with Mr. Nagashima. That sentiment still has not changed. "He was a man with a burning spirit who was difficult to defeat, and he had a bright personality like the shining sun. He was a superstar who physically symbolized the age of rapid economic growth. He was 'Mr. Pro Baseball,' who led the nation's baseball world. "Even after he began suffering from the illness, his passion for baseball never waned and he encouraged managers, coaches and players. His aims will surely be carried on by his junior fellows." Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani were among others who praised Nagashima. Ishiba told reporters that Nagashima was "like the shining sun and a symbol of hope to everyone." Ohtani posted several pictures of himself alongside Nagashima on his social media accounts. "May your soul rest in peace," Ohtani wrote. Notable deaths of 2025 Jill Sobule Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the singer-songwriter behind "I Kissed a Girl," "Living Color" and "Supermodel," died at the age of 66 on May 2 from a house fire. Photo by Greg Grudt/UPI | License Photo
Newsweek
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
JoJo Siwa Breaks Silence on Dating Chris Hughes, Reveals Truth on Sexuality
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. JoJo Siwa has confirmed her romantic relationship with reality star Chris Hughes, saying the connection that began on the U.K.'s Celebrity Big Brother has turned into something more than friendship. Siwa called their bond "a beautiful development" in an interview with The Guardian published on Monday. She added, "I'm absolutely head over heels for him and he's the same way." The pair met during filming and quickly grew close, with Hughes defending Siwa when fellow contestant Mickey Rourke made comments about her sexuality. Siwa said the emotional intensity of the show fast-tracked their relationship. She added that she and Hughes had clarified with each other, "No, this is a very genuine connection—we're not faking a thing." After some hesitation, she confirmed to The Guardian, "It's not platonic any more." JoJo Siwa at the 36th annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California on March 27. JoJo Siwa at the 36th annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California on March 27. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Their closeness had sparked speculation, especially as Siwa was in a relationship at the time with Australian actor Kath Ebbs. She said in the interview that she and Ebbs had since broken up and described the time after the show as one of self-discovery. "People can see our chemistry, and they got to see it develop," Siwa said of her relationship with Hughes, adding, "I think everyone's just curious, and I can't blame them." The 22-year-old former child star also opened up about her evolving sexual identity. While she initially came out as gay and later identified as a lesbian, she now uses the term queer. "There's a lot of different sexual identities. I think there's nothing more beautiful than somebody discovering themselves," she said. Chris Hughes and Jesy Nelson, his girlfriend at the time, at the National Television Awards at the O2 Arena in London on January 28, 2020. Chris Hughes and Jesy Nelson, his girlfriend at the time, at the National Television Awards at the O2 Arena in London on January 28, 2020. Isabel Infantes/PA Wire Siwa, who rose to fame on Dance Moms and built a business empire in her teens, described the experience of living publicly as complex. "I do live this very, very big public life that has so many eyeballs on it, and it can get really hard to navigate," she said. "But I'm also living a human life. You can't help who you love." Despite the media attention and speculation, Siwa said she was focused on her own happiness. "I was massaging my cheeks," she said, laughing. "I've never been in pain from smiling so much." She discussed waking up next to Hughes, lying in bed and sharing music—including hearing him sing her new single "Bulletproof" in the morning. "It's the first time in my life that it feels like I'm switched off," she said. Before his connection with Siwa, Hughes was in a relationship with former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson. The couple dated for over a year, drawing significant media attention, before splitting in 2020.
UPI
a day ago
- Health
- UPI
Former ESPN 'Sports Science' host John Brenkus dies at 54
June 2 (UPI) -- Former ESPN personality John Brenkus, who hosted the popular Sports Science, has died, according to a message released on his social media accounts. He was 54. Brenkus died Saturday. His family did not disclose his specific cause of death. "It is with profound sadness that we share the news that John Brenkus has passed away," the statement read. "John, the co-founder of Base Productions, found of and co-creator and host of the six-time Emmy Award-winning Sports Science, had been battling depression. John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31, 2025. "His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help." Brenkus said in 2013 that he battled depression, which led to a suicide attempt. He discussed his mental health battle during a 2023 appearance on Never Shut Up, telling host Marcellus Wiley that he "fell into a very deep depression" and attempted to take his own life while living in Park City, Utah, but was saved by his dog. "I had come off selling my company, selling Sports Science to ESPN and you are kind of living in Park City and feel like you are retiring," Brenkus said. "I'm like, oh my God, I made it. "The isolation you feel living in a mountain town, the cold weather, injuries, things not going right, I spiraled into a deep, deep depression. I was flat-out suicidal." Brenkus said he went to six different "psychologists and psychiatrists" before briefly escaping depression. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support. Globally, the International Association for Suicide Prevention has contact information for crisis centers around the world. Notable deaths of 2025 Jill Sobule Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the singer-songwriter behind "I Kissed a Girl," "Living Color" and "Supermodel," died at the age of 66 on May 2 from a house fire. Photo by Greg Grudt/UPI | License Photo
UPI
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
'Northern Exposure,' 'Young Sheldon' alum Valerie Mahaffey dead at 71
Actress Valerie Mahaffey has died at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer. Image courtesy of UPI May 31 (UPI) -- Northern Exposure and Young Sheldon actress Valerie Mahaffey has died at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer. Mahaffey's publicist, Jillian Roscoe, confirmed the sad news to The Hollywood Reporter Friday. "I have lost the love of my life, and America has lost one of its endearing actresses. She will be missed," her husband Joseph Kell said in a statement to Mahaffey's other credits include Echo 3, Dead to Me, French Exit, Big Sky, Desperate Housewives, Glee and Devious Maids. Notable deaths of 2025 Jill Sobule Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the singer-songwriter behind "I Kissed a Girl," "Living Color" and "Supermodel," died at the age of 66 on May 2 from a house fire. Photo by Greg Grudt/UPI | License Photo
UPI
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
'M*A*S*H' star, animal activist Loretta Swit dies at 87
1 of 3 | Loretta Swit attends Wayne Rogers' Hollywood Walk of Fame star unveiling in 2005. File Photo by Michael Tweed/UPI | License Photo May 30 (UPI) -- Actor Loretta Swit died Friday, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter confirmed with her publicist, Harlan Boll. Swit was 87 and died in her New York City home shortly after midnight. A police report suspects natural causes but the final coroner's report is pending. Swit won 2 Emmys out of 10 nominations for her role on M*A*S*H. Swit played Maj. Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan, the role played by Sally Kellerman in the Robert Altman movie on which the long-running series was based. During the 11 seasons of M*A*S*H, Swit also starred in the movies Freebie and the Bean and S.O.B. and episodes of The Love Boat. Following the series, Swit continued to appear in theatrical and television movies, and episodes of Murder, She Wrote, Burke's Law and Diagnosis Murder. Her last screen role was the 2019 movie Play the Flute. Swit founded the SwitHeart Animal Alliance in 2016 which works in animal rescue, training and preservation. She published a book of animal portraits called SwitHeart: The Watercolor Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit in 2017. Notable deaths of 2025 Jill Sobule Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the Jill Sobule attends the GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 30, 2023. Sobule, the singer-songwriter behind "I Kissed a Girl," "Living Color" and "Supermodel," died at the age of 66 on May 2 from a house fire. Photo by Greg Grudt/UPI | License Photo
