Katy Perry
With the coming revival—and 16th season—of the reality singing contest, “American Idol,” comes a new roster of judges: The first one to be confirmed was pop star Katy Perry, making her the eighth music artist to land a spot on the panel, after Paula Abdul, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr.
“I’m always listening to new music, and love discovering diamonds in the rough—from mentoring young artists in my label, or highlighting new artists on my tours, I want to bring it back to the music,” Katy, who’s expected to release her new album “Witness” later this year, said in a statement.
Shortly after the announcement was made by the ABC Network—which picked up the franchise, after it was canceled by Fox—show biz observers began wondering how much money Katy will be making with the television gig. According to an online report by Entertainment Weekly, the recording artist is allegedly being paid $10 million to $15 million.
Ariana’s Manchester concert today
Ariana Grande
Two weeks after a horrific terrorist attack on her Manchester concert left 22 people dead and several others hurt, Ariana Grande is set to return to the British city today—with a formidable lineup of music artists in tow—for a fundraising gig called “One Love Manchester” at the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
Proceeds of the concert, which also features performances from Coldplay, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Niall Horan, Pharell Williams and Usher, will benefit the victims of the tragedy and their families.
“We will continue on in honor of the ones we lost, their loved ones, my fans and everybody affected by this tragedy,” Ariana said in a statement. “They will be on my mind and in my heart every day.”
Radiohead revisits ‘OK Computer’
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of “OK Computer,” the acclaimed third album of the seminal 1990s alternative rock group Radiohead, a reissue of the said record, called “OKNOTOK,” will be released on June 23, with three previously unreleased songs and eight B sides.
The reissue will also contain remastered versions of the original track list, which include the well-loved hits, “Paranoid Android,” “Karma Police” and “No Surprises.”
Snyder convinced Whedon to finish ‘Justice League’
“The Avengers” director Joss Whedon, who is set to helm DC’s “Batgirl” movie, was asked by fellow filmmaker Zack Snyder to finish the latter’s big-screen “Justice League” project. Snyder recently left the film to deal with a family tragedy. According to producer Charles Roven, Whedon was already onboard, helping out before some planned reshoots.
“Joss was already working with us on some of the scenes for the additional photography,” Roven told Variety in a video interview. “He agreed to step in and help Zack finish his vision.”
“Justice League” is the fifth in a series of connected live-action DC Universe films.—ALLAN POLICARPIO, OLIVER PULUMBARIT