Latest news with #KennedyCentreHonours
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Iconic singer, 81, looking at 'all legal remedies' after son's elder abuse claim
Gladys Knight is considering legal options after her son, Shanga Hankerson, branded her tour schedule 'detrimental' to her health. The 81-year-old legend is set to resume her Queens Tour in the US next month and has insisted she is 'healthy and happy' despite her son's claims. Hankerson, 49, alleged that Knight's husband William McDowell — who is 33 years her junior — was mentally and financially abusing her. He told The Shade Room: 'I don't want my mom out on tour on a tour bus wondering where she's at.' After this, Hankerson claimed he had filed a complaint with North Carolina's Department of Human Services and that an investigation is underway. Knight hit back at this and reassured worried fans that her health and the tour had been 'misrepresented'. 'I want my fans and those concerned to rest assured I am doing very well for someone who has been on stage for three quarters of a century, hard to believe, right?' she told The Independent. 'I'm healthy and happy and visiting friends and family these last few months. I'm excited to get back on the road with my sisters and on stage with The Queens Tour. See you soon.' She told People she had been enjoying her time touring and was 'excited' to get back on the road for the autumn dates. However, Hankerson claimed that her memory is becoming a problem and that this touring is 'detrimental' to his mother. 'I did my best to give [McDowell] the space to play the role of husband and do what was in my mom's best interest, and he has not done that,' he alleged. 'Why is she working? Why is she in this situation where she's being made to believe that she has to work like this? That's really my issue with it.' The disagreement could escalate into a lawsuit as Knight's publicist said the James Bond singer was looking into 'any and all legal remedies' for his 'defamatory comments'. They also alleged that he 'has had no substantial contact with her'. Hankerson retorted that he is 'absolutely' ready to take this to court to make sure he can 'really take care' of his mother. 'This has nothing to do with money for me,' he insisted. 'I'm trying to get her to stop working.' Knight and McDowell married in 2001 after three months of dating but had known each other for around a decade. After releasing some tracks together, the couple regularly appear on red carpets together, including when she was awarded at the Kennedy Centre Honours, AMAs, Billboard Music Awards and BET Awards. More Trending Knight previously stated to Closer that her grandchildren and great-grandchildren 'love [McDowell] to death'. She is mum to three children, having welcomed Jimmy and Kenya in the early 60s with first husband James Newman, who she split with in 1973. Then she married Barry Hankerson, who is Shanga's father, the following year, but they broke up in 1979. Knight, known for hits like I Heard It Through the Grapevine and Midnight Train to Georgia, is touring throughout this year with Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle and Stephanie Mills. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Hollywood icon Tom Cruise turns down U.S. President Donald Trump's Kennedy Centre lifetime achievement award - here's why
Hollywood icon Tom Cruise has made headlines again, but this time it's not for a blockbuster movie or daring stunt. Reports reveal that Cruise turned down an invitation to receive a Kennedy Centre Honour from US President Donald Trump, citing 'scheduling conflicts.' The prestigious award recognises lifetime achievement in the arts, making his decision notable. Social media erupted with speculation and fan reactions, questioning whether the choice was purely logistical or politically motivated. Tom Cruise, who remains a dominant force in Hollywood with projects like Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, continues to draw attention both for his work and personal decisions. Why did Tom Cruise turn down Donald Trump's invitation? According to multiple reports, Tom Cruise was invited to be part of the 48th Kennedy Centre Honours, joining other legends like Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, KISS, and Michael Crawford. His team reportedly cited scheduling conflicts as the reason, while the actor's spokesperson declined to comment further. Fans online are debating if his refusal is simply about commitments or a subtle message regarding Trump's involvement. Tom Cruise was offered the Kennedy honors by Donald Trump He declined because of 'scheduling conflicts' (via @washingtonpost) Kennedy Centre Honours significance The Kennedy Centre Honours are one of America's most prestigious arts awards, recognising lifetime achievement in music, theatre, and dance. Traditionally, the gala takes place in December and is later broadcast on CBS. This year, President Trump announced he would host, adding political weight to the ceremony, especially after earlier replacing the leadership of the arts complex. Tom Cruise's upcoming awards Despite turning down the Kennedy Centre Honour, Tom Cruise remains set to receive an honorary Oscar at the 2025 Governors Awards in November for his cinematic contributions. He continues to promote Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning and maintain a busy professional schedule, which may be a major factor in his decision.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tom Cruise turns down Kennedy Centre Honour, cites ‘scheduling conflicts'
Recently, US President Donald Trump announced the winners of the 2025 edition of the Kennedy Centre Honours. Tom Cruise , along with many others such as George Strait , KISS, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Crawford, and Gloria Gaynor , were also named as the winners. The 'Mission: Impossible' star, however, was one of the only ones who outright refused to accept the award from the Trump administration. Let's take a closer look. Tom Cruise refuses to accept the Kennedy Centre Honour The actor has refused to accept the Kennedy Centre Honour, as per reports from The Washington Post. The star cited 'scheduling' issues and conflicts as one of the major reasons why he will not be able to accept the award. A quote from the reports read, 'According to several current and former Kennedy Centre employees who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to publicly discuss event plans'. Donald Trump had previously stated that for next year's honours, he should be one of the recipients due to the fact that he had never won the award himself. He had stated in a post, 'The hell with it, I'll become chairman and I'll give myself an honour. Next year, we'll honour Trump, okay?' What are the Kennedy Centre Honours? These are honourable awards that are given to a few selected recipients every year who work in the field and industry of performing arts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3–6 BHK luxury residences at Address by GS S3 Raymond Realty Learn More Undo The event is usually held in December, and will later on be broadcast on TV as well. This year, Trump has also announced that this year's honours will also be hosted by him as well. Earlier in February, after taking over the Oval Office, Trump had removed the leadership from the Kennedy Centre, which bestowed this honour in the first place. He had then appointed himself as the board chairman of the organization instead. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
‘Dementia Don' trends again after Donald Trump's bizarre ‘grass expertise' speech
Donald Trump's tendency to veer off-script is once again surfacing his nickname 'Dementia Don' after the president's meandering remarks at a press conference announcing this year's Kennedy Centre Honours recipients. Donald Trump's erratic speech at the Kennedy Center Honors announcement reignited doubts about his mental acuity.(AP) On Wednesday, the 79-year-old president named the 2025 honorees: country star George Strait, disco legend Gloria Gaynor, rock band Kiss, and actors Sylvester Stallone and Michael Crawford. While praising the recipients, the POTUS also unveiled a plan to 'fix up a place called Washington, D.C.,' which he claimed had 'fallen into despair' but would soon be made 'so beautiful again.' He is also be replacing 'old, tired and exhausted' grass in the city's parks. ALSO READ| Trump to meet Putin in Alaska airbase tomorrow: All you need to know about the summit 'We'll redo the grass with the finest grasses. I know a lot about grass. I own a lot of golf courses,' Trump said. 'If you don't have good grass, you aren't in business very long.' The president then abruptly shifted topics, saying, 'Lindsey Graham. Good poll numbers, Lindsey, congratulations,' prompting the camera to cut to the Republican senator, who gave an awkward laugh. Social media reaction was swift and unforgiving One X user wrote, 'This is what a word salad actually looks like. Dementia Don at it again.' Another joked 'you are an grass expert now?' Critics also noted his slurred speech, stumbles over words, and difficulty reading from the podium. 'This is the 2nd day in a row he sounds drunk as f**K and I know he doesn't drink, so what the hell is happening?' one person wrote. cited by Radar Online. ALSO READ| US warns of more tariffs on India if Trump-Putin talks in Alaska 'don't go well' Last week, Trump raised eyebrows by speaking to reporters while taking a walk on the White House roof, which he said was to inspect the site for a planned grand ballroom. Days later, he warned '1929' would happen again without his tariffs, alluding to the fact that President Hoover's tariffs actually contributed to the Great Depression.
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Trump warns of severe consequences if Putin does not agree to stop war
President Donald Trump warned Wednesday that there will be very severe consequences if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to stop the war against Ukraine after the two leaders meet for a summit later this week in Alaska. Trump made the comment in response to a question from a reporter after announcing this year's Kennedy Centre Honours recipients in Washington. He did not say what the consequences might be. The remark came soon after Trump consulted with European leaders, who said the president assured them he would make a priority of trying to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine when he meets with Putin on Friday in Anchorage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined several of Kyiv's main allies in the virtual meeting with the US leader, and Zelenskyy told the group that Putin is bluffing ahead of the planned summit about Russia's ability to occupy all of Ukraine and shake off sanctions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said afterward that important decisions could be made in Alaska, but he stressed that fundamental European and Ukrainian security interests must be protected. Merz convened Wednesday's meeting in an attempt to make sure European and Ukrainian leaders are heard ahead of the summit. He stressed that a ceasefire must come at the beginning of negotiations. He told reporters that Trump also wants to make this one of his priorities in the meeting with Putin. Trump was very clear" that the US wants to achieve a ceasefire at the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron said at a separate appearance in France. Following Friday's summit, Macron added, Trump will seek a future trilateral meeting one involving Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy. He said he hoped that it could be held in Europe "in a neutral country that is acceptable to all parties. Merz, who described Wednesday's conversation as constructive and good, said the Europeans made clear that Ukraine must sit at the table as soon as there are follow-up meetings. European allies have pushed for Ukraine's involvement in any peace talks, fearful that discussions that exclude Kyiv could otherwise favour Moscow. The Ukrainian president, who travelled to Berlin to join the meeting alongside Merz, has repeatedly cast doubt on whether Putin would negotiate in good faith. He said Wednesday that he hoped an immediate ceasefire will be the central topic in Alaska, but also argued that Putin "definitely does not want peace. Zelenskyy said Putin is trying to apply pressure ... on all sectors of the Ukrainian front in an attempt to show that Russia is capable of occupying all of Ukraine. Putin is also bluffing that sanctions do not matter to him and are ineffective," he added. In reality, sanctions are very helpful and are hitting Russia's war economy hard. The stakes for Europe Trump has said he wants to see whether Putin is serious about ending the war, now in its fourth year, describing Friday's summit as "a feel-out meeting where he can assess the Russian leader's intentions. Yet Trump has disappointed allies in Europe by saying Ukraine will have to give up some Russian-held territory. He has also said Russia must accept land swaps, although it was unclear what Putin might be expected to surrender. Trump on Monday ducked repeated chances to say that he would push for Zelenskyy to take part in his discussions with Putin, and was dismissive of Zelenskyy and his need to be part of an effort to seek peace. Trump said that following Friday's summit, a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders could be arranged, or that it could also be a meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy and me. The Europeans and Ukraine are wary that Putin, who has waged the biggest land war in Europe since 1945 and used Russia's energy might to try to intimidate the European Union, might secure favourable concessions and set the outlines of a peace deal without them. The overarching fear of many European countries is that Putin will set his sights on one of them next if he wins in Ukraine. Merz said that if there is no movement on the Russian side in Alaska, then the United States and the Europeans should and must increase the pressure on Moscow. Land concessions a non-starter for Kyiv Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 30 per cent of the Donetsk region that it still controls as part of a ceasefire deal, a proposal the leader categorically rejected. Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine would not give up any territory it controls, saying that would be unconstitutional and would serve only as a springboard for a future Russian invasion. He said diplomatic discussions led by the US focusing on ending the war have not addressed key Ukrainian demands, including security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression and including Europe in negotiations. Three weeks after Trump returned to office, his administration took the leverage of Ukraine's NATO membership off the table something Putin has demanded and signaled that the EU and Ukraine must handle security in Europe now while America focuses its attention elsewhere. Senior EU officials believe Trump may be satisfied with simply securing a ceasefire in Ukraine and that he is probably more interested in broader US interests and great power politics, aiming to ramp up business with Russia and rehabilitate Putin. Russian advances in Donbas Russian forces on the ground in Ukraine have been closing in on a key territorial grab around the city of Pokrovsk, in the eastern Donbas region that comprises Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, which Putin has long coveted. Military analysts using open-source information to monitor the battles have said Ukraine's ability to fend off those advances could be critical: Losing Pokrovsk would hand Russia an important victory ahead of the summit and could complicate Ukrainian supply lines to the Donetsk region, where the Kremlin has focused the bulk of military efforts.
