Latest news with #WildSide
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New zipline in Pigeon Forge becomes asset to East Tennessee tourism
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — America's longest zip line has opened in Pigeon Forge, named the 'MegaZip.' The zip line soars over 1,100 miles above ground and stretches a little over a mile. The attraction is a new addition to WildSide Adventure Park, which opened its doors six months ago. 'Places like WildSide are going to be important because it's another new experience that's really like nothing else they can get in their home state or even close by,' said Tennessee Commissioner of Tourist Development Mark Ezell. Ezell was one of a few people who got to ride the zipline on Thursday. He called it an asset to the tourism industry. 'It's an incredible thing to have a state that has great tourism assets,' he said. 'We're a sales tax state in Tennessee, we love that we don't have a personal income tax as a resident. What it means is that more visitors come and they spend their money, and that sales tax revenue, it benefits the whole residents of all of Tennessee.' Knoxville 311 launches 'Rocky Bot' AI tool launched to help residents WildSide co-founders Bob and Bryce Bentz, who are also behind Anakeesta, said they wanted to bring something Pigeon Forge didn't already have. 'That's really what drove the concept of the MegaZip,' said Bryce Bentz. 'Longest zip line in the United States, it's hard to find topography that allows for something like that, and that really inspired us to say, 'Hey, what's the fastest way to get from the very top of the mountain to the very bottom?' And a two and a half minute ride down a mile is the fastest way to do so.' They also have a number of mountain biking trails and UTV tours. While they told 6 News they don't expect to bring in millions of people like they do at Anakeesta, they hope to draw people with a thrill for the outdoors. 'I think when you look at the Great Smoky Mountains area, you know, we have different sides to the park,' said Bob Bentz. 'We have the North Carolina side, we have the Tennessee side, Townsend as the peaceful side, I think we're now the wild side.' Inspector finds hand washing issues at Grainger County restaurant Since WildSide's opening, Bob and Bryce Bentz said they have created 50 jobs, doubled their biking trails and plan to add more UTV tours in the future. They added, while it is still in the works, they also plan to add more attractions like the MegaZip. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Normani Reveals Why Acting in Her First Film Was 'Freeing': 'I Learned a Lot About Myself' (Exclusive)
Between singing, dancing, acting and even bartending, is there anything Normani can't do? Nearly a year after releasing her Dopamine album, the "Wild Side" singer, 28, served as Hennessy's celebrity bartender at Dreamville Fest on April 5 in Raleigh, N.C. — as she celebrates her film debut in Freaky Tales, which hit theaters one day prior. Centered on four interconnected stories set in 1987 Oakland, Calif., Freaky Tales features Normani as Entice, a member of a girl group who faces difficulties while working her way to the big leagues. "It's liberating and very freeing, being able to be creative in a totally different way," the Fifth Harmony alum tells PEOPLE at the festival of acting in the film, which also stars Pedro Pascal, Jay Ellis, Dominique Thorne and others. Related: Normani Responds to Camila Cabello After She Congratulates Her on Release of 'Dopamine': 'This Seriously Means a Lot' "I felt like I learned a lot about myself, and I was actually able to celebrate myself and watch myself and not be super critical," explains Normani. "When I get home tonight or maybe tomorrow, I'll take my mom and my dad and my grandma and go to the movie." Freaky Tales marks the "Motivation" artist's latest major artistic endeavor following the release of her debut album, Dopamine, in June 2024. Since sharing the full-length project with fans, she's felt "grateful" for the support of her "amazing fans" — who've been hoping for some more visuals and performances to accompany the music. "I got you. We have a lot of special things set up," teases Normani, who's also "always working on new music." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. As for why she chose to team up with Hennessy to kick off the cognac brand's Made for More campaign, the star says, "I love to partner with brands that are very inclusive and just kind of represent everybody." Normani, who's engaged to NFL star DeKaylin 'DK' Metcalf, was interested in the collaboration after seeing Hennessy's work not only in music but also the sports world, as the brand has partnered with the WNBA, "which I think is really dope," she says. "It's just a really equal, fun, responsible brand, so I was really excited to partner." Related: DK Metcalf and Normani FaceTime Ciara and Russell Wilson to Share Their Engagement News Fans who visited the Hennessy Highline at Dreamville Fest were treated to cocktails from Normani as well as a high-energy DJ set from Mannie Fresh, who drew quite the crowd at Dorothea Dix Park. Held over April 4 and 5, Dreamville Fest featured performances from founder J. Cole as well as Lil Wayne, Erykah Badu, PartyNextDoor, 21 Savage, Ari Lennox, Keyshia Cole, GloRilla, Coco Jones and many other artists. While this year's Dreamville Fest was billed as the fifth and final, Cole told fans during his headlining set that the festival will continue to "exist" in the future under a different name. Read the original article on People
CNN
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Normani and NFL player DK Metcalf are engaged
DeKaylin 'DK' Metcalf may have just been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but there's one thing he already has not fumbled. During a press conference Thursday, the wide receiver shared the news that he's engaged to singer Normani. 'Found a new home here, found a new fiancée and everything's just falling in line, just the way God planned for it to be,' he reportedly said. The professional football player motioned to the singer and added, 'She right there. Hold that rock up baby.' Metcalf explained that he had proposed while both of their families were recently together in Houston, Texas. 'They got me good!,' Normani can be heard sayng at the press conference. The couple went public with their romance in 2023 after being introduced by singer Ciara, who is married to Metcalf's now former Seattle Seahawks teammate, Russell Wilson. Ciara posted a TikTok after the news broke with a picture of Metcalf and Normani sharing the engagement news with her and Wilson. The song playing on the post is 'Love Lies' by Normani and Khalid. '@Russell Wilson and I knew when we introed yall 3yrs ago ..love was truly in the air!.' Ciara wrote in the caption. 'Now yall gon be booed up for forever!! This was the best news! @DK Metcalf @Normani we love yall so much!' Normani first came to fame after auditioning for 'The X Factor' in 2012 and joining the girl group 'Fifth Harmony,' whose members also included Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane, Lauren Jauregui, and Camila Cabello. They became one of the best-selling girl groups of all time before Cabello left the group to pursue solo projects in 2016. Two years later, the other members announced they were going on hiatus. Since then, Normani has found success with singles such as 'Motivation' and 'Wild Side' and competed on 'Dancing With the Stars.'
South China Morning Post
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Who is DK Metcalf, Normani's NFL player fiancé, who was introduced to the former Fifth Harmony singer by fellow American football player Russell Wilson and his R&B star wife, Ciara?
Congratulations are in order for former Fifth Harmony member Normani, who recently became engaged to American football player DK Metcalf. The happy news was shared by the wide receiver during a press conference following his trade from the Seattle Seahawks to the Pittsburgh Steelers on March 13. Metcalf asked the 'Wild Side' singer to show off her ring at the press conference, saying, 'Hold that rock up, baby,' before going on to share details of the proposal. 'My family and her family [were] in Houston. It was my sister's spring break and I just thought about getting the whole family together for a big kumbaya and joining our families with the ring,' he said, smiling broadly. Advertisement R&B star Normani, who joined girl group Fifth Harmony with 'Señorita' singer Camila Cabello during The X Factor in 2012, was first linked to the American football star in 2022. They have largely kept their relationship away from the public eye, though they made it Instagram official in 2023. Here's everything to know about Normani's husband-to-be, DK Metcalf. American football is in his blood DK Metcalf has just been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Photo: @dk14/Instagram DeKaylin 'DK' Metcalf was born in December 1997, in Oxford, Mississippi. He played American football throughout high school and went on to play at the University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss. Having had an impressive career as a university athlete, a move for Metcalf into the NFL was clearly on the cards: he joined the Seattle Seahawks as the 64th overall pick in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft. The wide receiver's commanding presence on the field is a family trait. Metcalf's father Terrence Metcalf played as a Chicago Bears guard. Metcalf's cousin, TJ Metcalf, is a college football player most recently with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Metcalf's five-year contract with the Steelers
CNN
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Normani and NFL player DK Metcalf are engaged
DeKaylin 'DK' Metcalf may have just been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but there's one thing he already has not fumbled. During a press conference Thursday, the wide receiver shared the news that he's engaged to singer Normani. 'Found a new home here, found a new fiancée and everything's just falling in line, just the way God planned for it to be,' he reportedly said. The professional football player motioned to the singer and added, 'She right there. Hold that rock up baby.' Metcalf explained that he had proposed while both of their families were recently together in Houston, Texas. 'They got me good!,' Normani can be heard sayng at the press conference. The couple went public with their romance in 2023 after being introduced by singer Ciara, who is married to Metcalf's now former Seattle Seahawks teammate, Russell Wilson. Ciara posted a TikTok after the news broke with a picture of Metcalf and Normani sharing the engagement news with her and Wilson. The song playing on the post is 'Love Lies' by Normani and Khalid. '@Russell Wilson and I knew when we introed yall 3yrs ago ..love was truly in the air!.' Ciara wrote in the caption. 'Now yall gon be booed up for forever!! This was the best news! @DK Metcalf @Normani we love yall so much!' Normani first came to fame after auditioning for 'The X Factor' in 2012 and joining the girl group 'Fifth Harmony,' whose members also included Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane, Lauren Jauregui, and Camila Cabello. They became one of the best-selling girl groups of all time before Cabello left the group to pursue solo projects in 2016. Two years later, the other members announced they were going on hiatus. Since then, Normani has found success with singles such as 'Motivation' and 'Wild Side' and competed on 'Dancing With the Stars.'
