VAX LIVE FUNDRAISER AIRS
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Some big-name celebrities and political leaders have gotten together to urge people to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. During last night’s event at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, President Joe Biden said the COVID-19 vaccine is safe. And Jennifer Lopez put a human face on what can happen when people get their shots: she hugged her fully-vaccinated mom on stage. Global Citizen’s “Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World” featured performances by H.E.R. (her), Foo Fighters and J Balvin and pep talks by Ben Affleck, Jimmy Kimmel and David Letterman. It was taped for a May 8 special that will air on ABC, ABC News Live, CBS, YouTube and iHeartMedia broadcast radio stations.
ARIZONA LOOKS FOR OSCAR BOUNCE FOR “NOMADLAND”
QUARTZSITE, Ariz. (AP) — Will “Nomadland” prove to be a winner for a town in western Arizona? Hard to tell. Part of the Oscar-winning movie was filmed in Quartzsite. And while sites in South Dakota featured in the movie have seen an uptick in tourism, that hasn’t happened for Quartzsite yet. But some area merchants hope the surge will come. Phil Bates, who owns the Main Trading Post, tells the Arizona Republic he has lots of “Nomadland”-themed merch for anyone passing through. “Nomadland” won the Oscar for best picture, Chloé Zhao won best director and Frances McDormand won for best actress a week ago Sunday.
OLYMPIA DUKAKIS DIES, OSCAR WINNER WAS 89
MAPLEWOOD, N.J. (AP) — The story of how Olympia Dukakis got the role that won her an Oscar is itself like a movie script. It started when author Nora Ephron recommended that Dukakis play Meryl Streep’s mom in the film version of Ephron’s book, “Heartburn.” Dukakis got the role, but her scenes didn’t make the final cut. As a make-good, director Mike Nichols put Dukakis in his play, “Social Security.” Director Norman Jewison saw her there — and hired her for “Moonstruck.” Dukakis won the best supporting actress Oscar in 1988 for playing Cher’s mom — and Cher won for best actress. Dukakis died Saturday at her New York City home. She was 89.
CAITLYN JENNER OPPOSES TRANSGENDER GIRLS PLAYING IN GIRLS SPORTS
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Caitlyn Jenner has drawn flak from transgender advocates since she came out as a woman in 2015 — because they feel she hasn’t been as strong an ally as they thought she’d be. Her recent comments won’t help change that. The ex- Olympic gold medal champ says she opposes transgender girls playing in girls’ sports at school. She calls it “a question of fairness.” Her comments over the weekend to TMZ are her first on the issue since she announced she was running for California governor.
OBIT-DANCER JACQUES D’AMBOISE
UNDATED (AP) — Dancer Jacques d’Amboise, who grew up on the streets of upper Manhattan to become one of the world’s premier dancers at New York City Ballet, has died at 86. D’Amboise spent the last four and a half decades providing free dance classes to city youth at his National Dance Institute. His death was confirmed by Ellen Weinstein, director of the institute, who says the dancer and teacher died on Sunday at his home from complications of a stroke. He was surrounded by his family. D’Amboise danced for 35 years at New York City Ballet and founded his institute while still a dancer there.
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