Bonnie Tyler
Thirty-four years after its release, Bonnie Tyler’s hit single, “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” found itself on the charts again—thanks to, well, a solar eclipse.
After news came out that the 1980s recording artist was set to perform the song on a cruise ship amid the said natural phenomenon, sales of “Eclipse” reached astronomical heights, with its digital downloads increasing by 503 percent, according to Nielsen Music.
Time, meanwhile, reported that the song’s streaming figures on Spotify rocketed by 2,859 percent.
And on iTunes, the song—which made Bonnie the first Welsh singer to notch a No. 1 tune on Billboard’s Hot 100—unseated the ubiquitous remix of Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber’s “Despacito” at the No. 1 spot.
MTV invites trans soldiers
MTV has invited transgender military members to attend this year’s Video Music Awards (VMAs)—this, on the heels of US President Donald Trump’s recent order to ban them from service.
“We would be honored if they could attend … Any patriot who’s putting his own life at risk to fight for our freedom and stands for equality is a hero at MTV, and to young people everywhere,” MTV president Christopher McCarthy said in a report by CNN.
The request, however, is still subject to review, because active military members are restricted from taking part in such high-profile public events, the report added.
The VMAs, held yesterday and hosted by pop star Katy Perry, had likewise taken steps to make some of its categories gender-neutral:
The best male video and best female video awards had been replaced with artist of the year, according to Rolling Stone. Its trophy, fondly called the “Moonman,” is now referred to as the “Moon Person.”
Celine Dion
Celine Dion’s ‘new world’
At a recent promotional event for Celine Dion’s new handbag collection, some reporters decided to instead ask the pop diva about her love life and her “new world” as a single woman.
And in an attempt to deflect the personal questions, without offending anyone, Celine, whose husband René Angélil died of cancer last year, broke into a song with each prodding from the media—Rihanna’s “Diamonds,” Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?”
Eventually, however, the 49-year-old singer relented, and, in all seriousness, told the crowd that she had been living life “one day at a time” since her husband’s passing.
“I’m enjoying myself … I went through a lot. At this time of my life, I feel as though I can spread my wings … There’s a force that takes over when you believe. And I’m a believer.”—ALLAN POLICARPIO