Latest news with #Palladium
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Music Icon's Death 51 Years Ago Created the Biggest Misconception in Rock & Roll History
Music Icon's Death 51 Years Ago Created the Biggest Misconception in Rock & Roll History originally appeared on Parade. Rock and roll history is filled with tragic tales of young musicians dying at the height of their success, and many of these sad stories have been twisted over the years, spawning countless conspiracy theories and outright lies. But over half a century later, the death of Cass Elliot — also known as Mama Cass — stands out as one of the most sensationalized ever, and her memory is still plagued by widely-spread falsehoods and gossip. As one of the members of the pioneering folk rock group the Mamas and the Papas, Elliot was famous for her powerful voice and sense of humor. Unfortunately, she also dealt with ongoing criticism for her weight. When she died on July 29, 1974, at the age of 32, she'd just played a sold-out show at the London Palladium. While the autopsy stated her cause of death as a heart attack, rumors spread about the singer choking to death on a ham stubbornly persisted for decades. What really happened to Cass Elliot? As Elliot's daughter, Owen Elliot-Kugell, told the BBC in 2024, her mother didn't choke on a ham sandwich at all, even though there was one in the room at the time of her death. "There was a ham sandwich, but she didn't eat it and she didn't choke on it. So enough with the jokes," Elliot-Kugell said. "It's beyond frustrating, almost immeasurable," she continued. "Even as a little girl, when I was hanging out with my friends at school, they didn't know who my mom was, but I would go home to have playdates with some of these kids and it was kind of frequent that one of their parents would make a comment to me like, 'Hey, did your mom really die choking on a ham sandwich?'" "It bothered me because it was such a horrible story, and I knew that it wasn't true. And it just felt so cruel to have a rumor like that perpetuated. It tortured me," Elliot-Kugell added. According to writer Lexi Pandell, who explored Elliot's death in an episode of her podcast You Must Remember This, even the autopsy doesn't tell the whole story. '[Elliot's] official cause of death was labeled as 'fatty myocardial degeneration due to obesity' — but that would still be a shocking cause of death for such a young woman and has largely been refuted,' Pandell told Vogue in 2021. 'From the research I've done and the doctors I spoke to, it seems the most likely cause of death was extreme dieting in combination with long-term substance abuse,' she added, going on to explain that "confronting the possibility that Cass may have died due to extreme dieting challenges our idealization of diet culture.' (While Elliot had used drugs in the past, there were no substances in her system at the time of her death.) As Elliot-Kugell explained, the fact that her mother "pursued and persevered until she made it" despite her weight struggles is an important part of her legacy. "She knew when she was a teenager that she wanted to be a performer and told everybody that she was going to be the most famous fat girl that ever lived," she said. "She had that forethought of knowledge as a child. I think that's pretty cool. I think that's really cool."Music Icon's Death 51 Years Ago Created the Biggest Misconception in Rock & Roll History first appeared on Parade on Jul 29, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Rachel Zegler sparks fan fury as she walks off halfway through London stage performance
Rachel Zegler left fans furious as she abruptly left the stage midway through her Evita performance on Thursday. The 24-year-old star of the 'woke' Snow White remake was said to have fallen ill during the show at London's Palladium theatre - and her departure was announced in the intermission, reported PEOPLE. Following a brief pause, Zegler's understudy Bella Brown took on the main Evita role for the second act 2 - and she earned a five minute standing ovation. Zegler, who won rave reviews for her Evita portrayal, was set to return to the stage for Friday evening's performance, her representative confirmed. On social media, one fan wrote: 'Rachel Zegler ruining everything she's a part of still.' Others penned: 'Give her a job at McDonalds. It's clear this woman is not cut out for entertainment. Stop giving her charity.' Another added: 'The understudy is better. No shock.' Some fans sent well wishes to the star: 'Hope she's OK.'
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Rachel Zegler sparks fan fury with mysterious Evita exit halfway through London show
Rachel Zegler left fans furious as she abruptly left the stage midway through her Evita performance on Thursday. The 24-year-old star of the 'woke' Snow White remake fell ill during the show at London's Palladium theatre - with her departure announced at intermission, per People. Following a brief pause, her understudy Bella Brown, who played Perón's Mistress in the musical, took on the Evita role for act 2 - which begins with Don't Cry for Me Argentina. Zegler, who has won rave reviews for her Evita portrayal, will return to the stage tonight, Friday 25th July for the evening performance, her representative confirmed to One fan wrote on social media: 'Rachel zegler ruining everything she's a part of still.' Others penned: 'Give her a job at McDonalds. It's clear this woman isnt cut out for entertainment. Stop giving her charity. 'The understudy is better. No shock. I'd give her a standing ovation if she would just leave. Always one bus stop away from knocking it out of the park with this one. On Broadway they would be demanding their $ back. So apparently woke Snow White is creating box office disasters on two continents. Shame, despite her many missteps and foibles, she seemed to doing a good job by all accounts at this at least. Others sent well wishes for the star, writing: 'Hope she's okay.' Most probably a health issue. I have watched the show and her performance is excellent, both vocals and acting. Actually, she saves a show that lacks narrative coherence and direction generally fails to make the audience emotionally attached. Rachel is playing former First Lady of Argentina Eva Peron in the show, which debuted in 1978 and was written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Fans were left furious with the star over her abrupt exit The play follows her rise from a poor background to becoming a powerful political figure and cultural icon in Argentina. Following the announcement earlier this year, Rachel gushed: 'Evita has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl, when my dad and I would sing Don't Cry for Me Argentina together on my back patio. 'The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd's singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honour unlike any other. The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can't wait to make my West End debut in such great company.' So far, Zegler is best known for the box office flop Snow White. Prior to its release, Snow White was mired in controversy due to comments from Zegler and the absence of the iconic song 'Someday My Prince Will Come.' In an effort to be more progressive, Disney also changed the dwarves to be called 'magical creatures.' Critics of the remake first jumped on Disney for the decision to cast Zegler in the role due to her Colombian ancestry. The original fairytale revealed that the princess is given her name because her skin is 'as white as snow.' At the time, Zegler said that the origin story had changed, and in Disney's new version the princess earns the name due to a snowstorm she survived as a child. She then came under fire for criticizing original animation when she called it 'dated' during a red carpet interview with Extra TV in 2022. She eventually walked back her comments and assured fans that the love story would be 'integral' to the remake's plot. Disney fans then expressed discontent at Zegler when she said she was 'scared' of the original version as a child and only watched it one time. Although the Disney remake has been widely considered a flop, Rachel has already lined up next role. She will be starring opposite Marisa Tomei, 60, of My Cousin Vinny fame, in her next movie role. In the upcoming comedy-drama She Gets It From Me, Zegler will play the daughter of the Tomei's wild, unruly and free-spirited character, according to the synopsis reported by Variety.
Metro
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Rachel Zegler replaced during Evita interval in last second change
Fans have praised Rachel Zegler's Evita understudy as she was forced to step up halfway through Thursday's performance. The 24-year-old Hollywood star has been starring as Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd's new production of Evita at the London Palladium and she took to the stage as normal last night. However, during the interval audience members were informed she was being replaced by actress Bella Brown, whose entrance to the audience was the balcony scene performing Don't Cry For Me Argentina. She shared on her Instagram Story: 'Today really showed just how important swings and covers are within this industry!! They are the pillars of the show!! A proud day to be at @officialevita.' Rachel and the official Evita account are yet to comment on the change, and no reason has been given by Bella or audience members. The cover actress, who played the Mistress in act one, wrote: 'What a lucky audience getting to see both myself and MY ANGEL REG ZEG!! (sic)' 'I really hope Rachel is all right!! Love to Bella Brown,' wrote @Hazel2410 on X, while @dankblonde1 said: 'I really hope Rachel Zegler is ok..' 'Okay so mid show switch, both rachel and bella brown were UNREAL,' tweeted @MyriadNice, as others heaped praise on Bella for stepping up. 'Bella was an absolute joy to watch the second act, completely erased any disappointment of not seeing rachel again. She has a huge career ahead of her,' wrote @MizHafHaf. They added in another post: 'It was amazing seeing Rachel tonight, but Bella Brown was SENSATIONAL. I'm actually glad we got to see her do the second act!' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video And audience member @KentWomble said: 'Well! @EvitaMusical was epic. Fantastic production. Rachel Zegler only managed the first half before her understudy Bella Brown took over after the interval and got six curtain calls at the end.' Rachel's run in Evita has captured the imagination of audiences, including the now-infamous creative decision for her to perform the iconic balcony scene outside the front of the theatre. Theatregoers have watched the key moment on a screen inside the theatre, while huge crowds have gathered in the streets to witness the special moment. 'Rachel Zegler is absolutely amazing in it. I'm only a little bit worried that it might get out of hand,' Andrew Lloyd Webber recently said on Good Morning Britain. More Trending Fans have pointed out that Jamie Lloyd's production choice actually mirrors Eva's kinship with the poor people in Argentina. The iconic composer added: 'The crowds now turning up outside the Palladium, now the audience in the theatre sees the crowd outside, and it's kinda like the real deal.' Metro has contacted reps for Rachel Zegler and the London Palladium for comment. 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. MORE: Gripping action prequel soars up Netflix charts as fans declare it 'best in franchise'
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
The Who set to 'come out of retirement and do an Elton John' after final gig
EXCLUSIVE: The Who were previously left in turmoil after drummer Zak Starkey left the band but they've been tipped to continue touring The Who won't retire and are set to follow in the footsteps of Elton John with one pal saying: 'It's not the end.' The rockers previously told how they are retiring from touring following 60 years together after a final set of dates in North America. The tour, which begins in August, will be a farewell to live shows for the legendary rock band, with Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey performing hits from their six-decade career. But Journalist Will Hodgkinson, a close pal of the band, regularly hosts press conferences for them after penning The Ballad of Britain about The Who and other bands' cultural significance in shaping British musical identity, said: 'I think they might do what Elton John has done. Elton has done the Palladium for a special. 'I can see them doing something like that. I think it's got too much for them being on tour. But I don't think it will be the end.' Elton announced that he was quitting music with his final epic Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour. But he has since returned with a special date at The Palladium in London. The Who were recently left in turmoil after drummer Zak Starkey left the band. But Will says they will 'cope fine' without him. He continued: 'The Zak Starkey thing was odd. I guess they fell out. I guess that's what happened. They had an argument. But Zak didn't talk about it at all when I saw him a few weeks ago. I think they will cope fine.' He added: 'I don't know who it will be or if indeed they've already got someone.' Will's latest book titled Street Level Superstar is about failed pop star Lawrence who he spent a year shadowing in a bid to uncover a true 'uncompromising' artist. Pulp's Jarvis Cocker, Pete Townsend and Noel Gallagher are all fans of the little known star who fronted 1990s band Denim. The book won the prestigious Penderyn Music Book prize last year and has become a cult classic (MUST) while Denim's nearly famous record Summer Smash is being re-released. Will said: 'I think it took off because failure is more interesting than success. I was very reticent. But I really enjoyed it. I thought creatively this could be really good. This is somebody who is at odds with the world. He looks like a superstar but there he is with no money whatsoever getting shouted at by kids at the bus stop, mistaken for an old lady by an old man outside the pub. I thought this was amazing. When he walks down the street he thinks he is Prince.' The Who's Townsend even said he wants to be like Lawrence - a former heroin addict - because he's such an 'uncompromising' artist.
