By Wonderwall.com Editors
2:34pm PST, Nov 25, 2020
Why fans think Taylor Swift's new movie confirms she sent ex, Joe Jonas, a baby gift
Taylor Swift's fans may have been right about yet another seemingly personal bit of information the singer turned into music on her new album, "Folklore." A lyric in the song "Invisible String" — "cold was the steel of my axe to grind for the boys who broke my heart / now I buy their babies presents" — previously had Swifties buzzing about whether the "boy" in question was Taylor's ex, Joe Jonas. Joe welcomed his first child with Sophie Turner just days before "Folklore" came out. And as Taylor tells producer Aaron Dessner at one point in the new Disney+ film about the making of the album (via JustJared): "I remember I wrote it right after I sent an ex a baby gift." Laughing, she adds, "I was just like, 'Man, life is great. This is a full signifier that life is great.'" While she doesn't explicitly mention Joe's name, it makes sense in terms of timing that Taylor would have still been working on the music for "Folklore" when she heard Joe and Sophie were expecting. The film also includes confirmation of another fan theory — that the artist listed in the album credits as William Bowery is actually Taylor's boyfriend, Joe Alwyn.
Keep reading for details on Lorde's first book release, The Weeknd's Grammy feud and more …
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The Weeknd lashes out about Grammys snub again after Harvey Mason's response to his claim the awards are 'corrupt'
As is often the case with Grammy nominee announcements, this week's unveiling of the 2021 Grammy Award nominees was followed by numerous rants about — and by — artists who were snubbed. The Weeknd is leading the pack this year, by a long shot, though. His single "Blinding Lights" was widely presumed to take at least the record of the year prize at the awards show, if not also song of the year, best pop solo performance or best music video. Instead, The Weeknd was shut out entirely. This ignited speculation from the singer's camp and fans that his reportedly contentious negotiations to perform at both the Grammys and the 2021 Super Bowl (one week later) somehow contributed to his failure to score one nomination. "The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency," The Weeknd tweeted Tuesday, Nov. 24. In response, the Recording Academy's chair, Harvey Mason Jr., told Billboard he, too, "was surprised" about the nomination situation, saying the academy was "thrilled" about the singer's Super Bowl plans and, "would have loved to have him also perform on the Grammy stage the weekend before." He then pointed out, "… voting in all categories ended well before The Weeknd's performance at the Super Bowl was announced, so in no way could it have affected the nomination process." He also noted that nominations are based on a peer voting system over which the organizers of the awards show have no control. The Weeknd, however, continued his attack on Wednesday, posting on Instagram, "Collaboratively planning a performance for weeks to not being invited? In my opinion zero nominations = you're not invited!"
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Wiz Khalifa thanks Cardi B for her 'good advice' after she calls him out for pitting her against Nicki Minaj
In other Grammy nominated vs. snubbed artists news … Cardi B weighed in on some of the negative chatter that surfaced on Twitter after the Recording Academy announced the 2021 Grammy nominees this week, but not in the way you might think. As fans griped about some of this year's selections, Nicki Minah tweeted, "Never forget the Grammys didn't give me my best new artist award when I had 7 songs simultaneously charting on Billboard & bigger first week than any female rapper in the last decade—went on to inspire a generation. They gave it to the white man Bon Iver." Wiz Khalifa replied to Nicki, telling her he feels her pain, which then sparked a fan to chime in, "Cardi wining a Grammy when nicki minaj didn't is the biggest proof that they don't know a s— bout music." In response, Wiz wrote, "Most self made artists have this problem." The post was taken to mean Wiz rejected Cardi, who's won one Grammy and been nominated eight times, isn't "self-made" like Nicki, who's been nominated 10 times but never won a Grammy. Cardi then jumped in with proof Wiz believed in her work when she was first starting out. "They really support you when you grinding at the bottom then it's a different story when you make it," she tweeted, sharing an old DM he'd sent her. "Don't stray from things that are important to you and make you you. … Keep your light shining," Wiz said at the time. "Don't stray away from the things that are important to you." Cardi went on to wonder aloud why anyone even "[entertains] tweets that pit successful women against each other," asking, "Ya not tired of that?" Wiz apparently hadn't thought of it that way. "D— that wuz good advice," he replied. "I still support u. Nothings changed. Your self made in my book as well." Challenged by another user for changing his tact, Wiz asserted he "never said" Cardi wasn't self-made, adding, "They both work very hard."
RELATED: 2021 Grammy nominees and snubbed artists: See their reactions
Lorde announces 100-page photo book inspired by her trip to Antarctica
Lorde is releasing her first book. In the singer's latest newsletter to fans (via Pitchfork), she revealed she's put together a new project called "GOING SOUTH," a 100-page publication featuring her writing interspersed with her friend Harriet Were's photos from Lorde's trip to Antarctica in 2019. She has yet to announce a release date, explaining instead that she's taking preorders on her website "to get an idea of how many to produce." She added that it's unlikely the books would be ready in time for the holidays. All proceeds from the publication will reportedly support a scholarship for a postgraduate student to study climate change via Antarctica New Zealand, the government agency that operates New Zealand's environmental work in the southernmost continent. Lorde also shared with fans why she went to Antarctica to begin with, saying that she was finished with "Melodrama" and hadn't started writing new music yet. "… I realized after the trip that what my brain had been craving was a visit to an alternate realm," she wrote in the newsletter. "Albums live in their own realms in a way, and Antarctica really acted as this great white palette cleanser, a sort of celestial foyer I had to move through in order to start making the next thing." Back in May, Lorde announced she was working on a new album.
U.K. court denies Johnny Depp's request to appeal libel case against The Sun
Johnny Depp's bid to appeal the verdict of his libel case against The Sun has been denied, according to a new report from The Times. The actor's lawyer told press "it would be ridiculous not to" appeal after a judge ruled to dismiss Johnny's suit, which the star filed on grounds he was not the "wife beater" The Sun made him out to be in print in 2018. As Judge Andrew Nicol explained his decision on Nov. 2, the tabloid's legal team proved to him that Johnny assaulted his ex-wife Amber Heard while they were together. According to The Times, Johnny won't be able to appeal because his case doesn't have "a reasonable prospect of success," moving forward, though he can consider taking the suit to the Court of Appeals. He's been ordered to pay $840,450 to The Sun to cover legal expenses.
Dave Chappelle praises Netflix for taking down 'Chappelle's Show' per his request
Less than a month after Netflix started streaming "Chappelle's Show," the platform has taken it down, per Dave Chappelle's request. The comic explained why he made that ask in an 18-minute long clip from a standup set that he posted on Instagram on Tuesday, Nov. 24. As Dave tells it, he was never adequately paid for his work on "Chappelle's Show," but because he'd signed a bad contract, ViacomCBS got the rights to that work "in perpetuity." And even though platforms like Netflix didn't even exist at the time Dave signed the document, ViacomCBS was able to then license "Chappelle's Show" to Netflix without paying him for the content he co-created, executive produced and starred in. Viacom also licensed the series to Comedy Central, CBS All Access and HBO Max — deals that will generate income for ViacomCBS, but not necessarily for Dave, according to Deadline. "People think I made a lot of money from 'Chappelle's Show,'" Dave says in the clip. "When I left that show I never got paid. They (ViacomCBS) didn't have to pay me because I signed the contract," he continues. "… I found out that these people were streaming my work and they never had to ask me or they never have to tell me. Perfectly legal 'cause I signed the contract. But is that right? I didn't think so either." Dave then changes course to praise Netflix, where he currently has a deal for standup specials. "That's why I like working for Netflix," he says. "I like working for Netflix because when all those bad things happened to me, that company didn't even exist. And when I found out they were streaming 'Chappelle's Show,' I was furious," he explains. "… So you know what I did? I called them and I told them that this makes me feel bad. And you want to know what they did? They agreed that they would take it off their platform just so I could feel better." Ultimately, he says, that's why he's sticking with Netflix: "Because they paid me my money, they do what they say they're going to do, and they went above and beyond what you could expect from a businessman." The comic also urges fans to "boycott" his show on the remaining platforms where it's currently streaming.
Christina Perri reveals she lost her baby as Meghan Markle opens up about pregnancy loss in the New York Times
Chrissy Teigen's candor regarding her recent pregnancy loss may already be inspiring other women to share their similar experiences. On Tuesday, Nov. 24, singer Christina Perri and her husband Paul Costabile announced on Instagram that they'd lost their baby. And on Wednesday, the New York Times published an essay by Meghan Markle in which she revealed that in July, she and Prince Harry lost the baby they were privately expecting. In both cases, the expectant mothers shined a light on the long taboo subject of pregnancy loss, as Chrissy had earlier this year. Christina was in her third trimester and, like Chrissy, suffered serious complications with the pregnancy that landed her in the hospital. Last week she revealed to Instagram followers that she would potentially have to give birth to her daughter much earlier than planned. She also said the infant would then require emergency surgery as soon as she arrived due to an intestinal problem called jejunal atresia. Instead, she said this week that the baby was "born silent," telling followers: "last night we lost our baby girl. she was born silent after fighting so hard to make it to our world. she is at peace now and will live forever in our hearts." Christina also shared a photo from the hospital of her and her husband holding their little one's finger before saying goodbye. Chrissy previously shared photos of her own family's "goodbye" moment with their son, Jack. Meghan, meanwhile, wrote in the Times that she was just starting her day with her toddler, Archie, when she lost her pregnancy over the summer. "After changing his diaper, I felt a sharp cramp. I dropped to the floor with him in my arms, humming a lullaby to keep us both calm, the cheerful tune a stark contrast to my sense that something was not right," she recalled. "I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second."
Alex Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez called out for private jet post
Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez might want to keep their jet-set pics to themselves — at least until there's light at the end of the tunnel, as far as the pandemic and its economic implications. The engaged pair recently traveled back from New York City, where A-Rod co-hosted a Saks Fifth Avenue holiday window and light show, to their home in Miami. On the apparently private flight, Alex snapped a photo of his fiancee reclining on an Hermès blanket as their pup looked up at him with her head in his lap. "Lady is definitely ready for Thanksgiving!" the former Yankees star wrote alongside the image on Tuesday, Nov. 24. "We have so much to be grateful for and are excited to be heading home to spend time with family. What are your holiday plans?" While some commenters replied with genuine answers, the thread was also chock full offended responses. Some users wondered why the couple was traveling for the holiday against CDC recommendations about preventing the spread of COVID-19, while others griped about the stars' display of wealth amid rising jobless claims and economic peril. "People lost their jobs," one person wrote. "You're rich. We get it." Another posted, "mm let see… stay home lol can't visit family due to the pandemic," while a third wrote, "None. We cancelled all of them. We're in the middle of a Pandemic. 😕🤷🏽♀️." The backlash comes after similar complaints were logged in the comments on Kim Kardashian West's lavish birthday party posts in October.
Bill Murray's brother, Ed Murray, dies
It's a sad Thanksgiving week for Bill Murray and his four remaining brothers, who recently lost their sibling, Ed Murray. Known for inspiring the main character in "Caddyshack," which Bill starred in and his brother Brian Doyle-Murray co-wrote, Ed was credited with helping the boys discover golf, which became a passion for all of them as they grew up. A statement posted on Monday, Nov. 23, on the Instagram account for William Murray Golf, the lighthearted golf apparel company Bill and his brothers created a few years back, focused on Ed's legacy, leaving out details about his manner of death. "It's with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of the legend Ed Murray," read the post, which featured a handful of photos of the brothers together through the years. "Named after the family patriarch, it was Ed who introduced the Murray family to this wonderful game of golf — by way of caddying at Indian Hills Country Club — at the age of 10, no less. (They don't make 'em like that anymore.)," the statement continued. "Ed was the recipient of the Evans Scholarship back in 1963, while attending Northwestern University — a scholarship awarded to golf caddies — a family storyline which served as inspiration for the Danny Noonan character in 'Caddyshack' when Brian Doyle-Murray co-wrote that iconic screenplay. Ed and all five Murray brothers are members of the Caddie Hall of Fame, as well — something all the boys take pride in, as this game helped shape their lives. …" The lengthy post closed with a note of thanks to Ed for "always being so gracious," before adding, "Rest in paradise, to a true family man and a gentle, sweet soul. May we honor your memory from this day forward." People has reported Ed was 76.
Jinger Duggar welcomes Baby No. 2
"Counting On" star Jinger Duggar and her husband, Jeremy Vuolo, are the proud parents of a new baby girl, the couple confirmed this week on Instagram. "We are so thankful to God for this precious little angel!" Jinger posted on her Story on Tuesday, Nov. 24. Jeremy also posted about the happy news and revealed their baby's name. "Welcome to 2020, Evangeline Jo," he wrote, sharing a photo of the newborn giving some side-eye. "Understandably, she's skeptical," he added. Evangeline joins big sister Felicity, who was born in 2018.
