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Taylor Swift Success Catapults Her to Breaking Own Records
Swift's success continues after decades of incredible accomplishments
By Alivia Renna
Singer songwriter Taylor Swift has been in the music industry for what feels like forever now-- and it’s no surprise that she is breaking her own records. At the American Music Awards in November of 2022, Swift received the six trophies that she was nominated for, including the top award of the night: Artist of the Year.
The awards that Swift received brought her total right up to 40 wins, as she broke her own record for the largest fan-voted award ceremony in the world. While receiving this award, Swift announced that the support of her fans during the recent years encouraged her to continue to write more music. This was round number seven for Swift winning the Artist of the Year award, as she also received one in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2018, 2019 and 2020. In 2019, she also was the very first female singer-songwriter to receive the Artist of the Decade trophy.
This huge accomplishment came just one month after Swift released her tenth studio album, Midnights. She stated, “In the past few years, I have released more music than I did in the decade preceding that.” Swift then went on to thank her fans for all of their support and their love for her music. She claimed that the more music she has been writing for her audience, the happier she becomes. Swift’s Midnights, is “a collection of music written in the middle of the night, a journey through terrors and sweet dreams,” coming from the artist herself. The opening track, “Lavender Haze,” was written about her boyfriend, Joe Allwyn.
Making a surprise appearance to accept the Artist of the Year award, Swift showed up in a sparkly gold jumpsuit. As she skipped the red carpet, fans were not sure if she was even going to attend. When the award was presented by country duo, Dan and Shay, fans were incredibly thrilled for her appearance.
Not only was Swift’s appearance shocking, but the fact that she had broken other records besides her own was, too. Michael Jackson had taken home 26 awards, Whitney Houston winning 22, while Taylor Swift shattered those records already at the age of 32. Not only did she take home an Artist of the Year, but she also won the other awards that she had been nominated for: favorite female country artist, favorite female pop artist, favorite pop album, favorite music video, and an additional off-screen award for favorite country album. Two of these awards were in recognition of her album, Red (Taylor’s Version).
For the amount of music that Swift has released over the past couple years, it is no surprise that she is now going on her Eras Tour. The chaos regarding the tour was not mentioned at the ceremony, but there was some controversy around the presale.
Overall, the American Music Awards was yet another huge accomplishment for superstar Taylor Swift. From breaking records, releasing a new album, to hitting the road on tour again, this era has never been more exciting.
Taylor Swift Crashes TicketMaster With New Tour
Will this new era influence ticket sales strategies in the future?
By Alison Palmieri
Global phenomenon Taylor Swift has quickly risen to the top of the music industry, shown in her latest release of her new album Midnights. On October 21, it became the biggest pop album on Apple Music, based on its first day streams. With the release of her new album, Swift also announced her new tour, the Eras tour. Her fans, who call themselves Swifities, were extremely excited, and rushed to Ticketmaster to purchase tickets for the 2023 tour. However, fans quickly became outraged after experiencing delays and website crashes. Some fans who had signed up for the pre-sale were selected and able to purchase tickets. But many lost any access to tickets when the company's officials canceled the general ticket sale on November 17.
So how did this happen? Ticketmaster blamed a surge of unregistered fans and bots for the delays and eventual cancellation of the general sale. In the pre-sale on Tuesday, fans had bought over 90% of ticket inventory, which broke records for ticket sales. 3.5 million fans signed up to be part of the pre-sale, but only 1.5 million were approved. Because of the amount of bots on the website, the platform experienced multiple delays.
This happened again on Wednesday, when the sale for Capital One card holders brought millions of fans to the sale meant for only a few thousand. Because of a lack of inventory, Ticketmaster and Swift’s team canceled the general sale, leaving many fans angry without an opportunity to purchase tickets. This has brought an overwhelming amount of outraged attention to Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster released an apology, stating that it misjudged the demand for the tickets, and the amount of activity on the website.
The rise in publicity even caught the attention of the U.S government. California representative Katie Porter, Rhode Island representative David N. Cicilline and New Jersey representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. called for an investigation into Ticketmaster. The company currently controls around 70% of live music and ticketing markets. Ticketmaster combined with LiveMusic in 2009, a merger many say never should have happened. Many claim Ticketmaster has a monopoly on the music industry, meaning artists and fans have little choice on how to sell and purchase tickets. It also means that it is easy to become comfortable with flaws in the system, as TicketMaster has little competition.
Fans, still desperate for tickets, have been looking for other ways to purchase tickets. The outrage only worsens as it has become clear that tickets are being sold for extremely high prices, up to $22,000 per ticket. These tickets are often sold on illegal websites, and take advantage of loving fans. Swifties around the world who were not even able to attempt to purchase tickets are disappointed at the missed opportunity to see their idol. They are calling for a closer investigation on Ticketmaster, and its monopoly on the music industry. Swift apologized to her fans directly, saying "It's truly amazing that 2.4 million people got tickets, but it really pisses me off that a lot of them felt like they went through several bear attacks to get them."
Cheers Favorite, Emmy Winner Kirstie Alley Dies of Cancer at 71
Entertainment community loses a vivacious and talented comic actress
By Abigail Oduro
Kirstie Alley is best remembered for her debut performance as Rebecca Howe on the 1980s sitcom, "Cheers," for which she garnered a 1991 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She was nominated five times and received a 1991 Best Actress in a Television Series–Comedy or Musical Golden Globe for her role in one of the most popular and critically acclaimed series in history. According to a message on social media written by her family, she died on December 5, 2022, following an intense battle with colon cancer.
Her children, True and Lillie Parker, said in their statement that “To all our friends, far and wide around the world…We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce, and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered. She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.”
Born in Wichita, Kansas in 1951, the veteran actress had more than a forty-year career. She was an unknown actress who had starred in a few films but was poised to replace Emmy Award winner Shelly Long’s character in “Cheers,” a workplace comedy set in a Boston bar. Alley immediately gained a worldwide audience, allowing the show to continue from 1982 to 1993. She was in roughly 150 episodes.
In 1982's “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” she portrayed a Romulan-Vulcan officer, a single mother in 1989’s "Look Who's Talking," which also starred Bruce Willis and John Travolta. The film went on to become a trilogy with "Look Who's Talking Too," and "Look Who's Talking Now." She appeared in "Drop Dead Gorgeous," "Madhouse," and “David’s Mother,” winning her second Emmy award in 1994. In November 1995, she was awarded a Hollywood Walk of Fame as she continued to win multiple groundbreaking awards in entertainment. She received over one hundred credits as an actress, writer, and producer. She co-wrote the 2005 Showtime comedy "Fat Actress," and starred in her own reality show "Kirstie Alley's Big Life" in 2010. In 2016, she starred in the horror film "Scream Queens," as well as "The Masked Singer" Season 7 on Fox, "Dancing with the Stars" Season 12 on ABC, and finished runner-up in the British edition of "Celebrity Big Brother."
Alley was an active Scientologist and attributes the church for helping her through physical, emotional, and mental health struggles. She founded the “Organic Liaison,” a weight loss program for men and women designed to help those with eating disorders and issues with body image. From 1970 until 1977, Alley married her childhood friend, Bob Alley. She then married “Baywatch” actor Parker Stevenson in 1983 and they adopted two children, a boy and a girl, in 1992 and 1995. Their marriage ended in 1997. Alley became a grandmother through her son in 2016.
After her passing, celebrities shared their condolences on social media, such as longtime co-star Ted Danson, who wrote, “She made me laugh 30 years ago when she shot that scene, and she made me laugh today just as hard. As I got off the plane, I heard that Kirstie had died. I am so sad and so grateful for all the times she made me laugh. I send my love to her children. As they well know, their mother had a heart of gold. I will miss her.”
Iconic Vocalist Celine Dion Faces Rare Neurological Disease: Stiff Person Syndrome
Dion cancels concerts indefinitely to battle debilitating illness
By Maddy Marquis
Recently the world has been shocked by the devastating news of Celine Dion’s diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome, a one-in-a-million, rare progressive neurological disease affecting the mobility of muscles within the arms, legs, and torso. The disease also causes sensitivity to noise, touch, and emotional responses, which can all cause muscle spasms.
The five-time Grammy winner announced her decline in health in an informative five-minute video. She states that she wanted to be open with people about the struggles she faces, and acknowledges, “it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything I’ve been going through.” In order to get better, Dion announced she’ll be rescheduling her 2023 Courage world tour across Europe.
“Unfortunately” she reveals in the video, “these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life. Sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords the way I’m used to.”
Celine Dion has been widely recognized all over the world for her beautiful voice and has received many awards including five Grammy awards, 12 World Music Awards, and seven Billboard Music Awards. The news about her health has been devastating for all her fans, especially because of the restrictions imposed on her life.
Stiff Person Syndrome is a rare and progressive auto-immune, neurological disease that causes chronic, painful muscle stiffness and spasms. The cause of this condition is still unknown but researchers suspect that it may be a result of an auto-immune reaction where the body attacks cells in the central nervous system. A person with Stiff Persons Syndrome can not be cured but can be treated with muscle relaxers and steroids in order to relieve symptoms and pain. The disease is chronic and is degenerative as it can spread to other areas of the body and symptoms can take years to develop. Involuntary muscle spasms can be triggered by specific stimuli and can make it difficult to walk or even move.
As a result of the physical limitations the disease is causing Dion, she stated “this means I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.” She has decided to cancel eight of her summer shows and has rescheduled her spring shows to 2024. Dion has reassured her fans that she has “a great team of doctors working” alongside her to improve her health as much as possible. The effect of not being able to perform for her fans has made her heartbroken. However, she only wishes to perform when she is fully capable.
It is devastating to watch one of our greatest American singers decline in health, but it is important that she concentrates on her well-being at the moment. Dion has family and friends supporting her during her physical and mental trials that the condition is putting her through. The singer continues to have hope for recovery.
Legendary Journalist Barbara Walters Passes at 93
Walters paved the way for women journalists and conducted memorable interviews
By Olivia Coish
Barbara Walters, legendary news anchor, died on December 30, 2022. Walter’s life came to a peaceful end at the age of 93. Confirmed by her spokesperson, her death was in her home surrounded by her loved ones. She lived a life of no regrets, becoming an icon in the news world and for women around the world.
Walters was born on September 25, 1925. Her father was a theatrical impresario, as well as a nightclub owner. Naturally, Walter was exposed to celebrities from a young age, hence her proficiency when it came to interviewing famous people. Her inquiring skills, along with her competitive nature, allowed Walters to land many major interviews from celebrities to presidents and world leaders. Her journey to fame began after she earned her college degree from Sarah Lawrence College in 1953.
In the 1960’s, Walter’s first job on air was on NBC’s “Today” show where she hosted a segment of women’s stories. A few years later, she was offered to be the official co-anchor of the show, instigating her later earned title, “the best-known person in television.” In 1976, Walter left the “Today” show to join ABC. This opportunity, however, was different than her first. Co-anchoring a network evening newscast meant Walter was breaking gender barriers by being the first woman to do so. As expected, she received backlash from male co-workers and audience. Men questioned her “forthright demeanor,” as many viewed her manners as overly self-assertive. As best put by Walter herself, “If it’s a woman, it’s caustic; if it’s a man, it’s authoritative. If it’s a woman it’s too pushy, if it’s a man it’s aggressive in the best sense of the world.”
Barbara Walters responded to such criticism with success. She won multiple Emmys, a Peabody Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Many of her shows were of the highest rated of their type and led to the development of American talk shows. Walter’s show “The View,” for example, was followed by the production of “The Talk,” “The Chew,” “Loose Women,” and Norway’s “Studio5.”
While her legacy is remembered through her numerous achievements, Walter considered the women who had looked up to her throughout her career to be her true legacy. In her interview with CNN, she concluded, ‘“How proud when I see all the young women who are making and reporting the news. If I did anything to help make that happen, that is my legacy. From the bottom of my heart, to all of you with whom I have worked and who have watched and been by my side, I can say: ‘Thank you.’”
For over five decades, Barbara Walters had spent her career becoming one of the most well known American broadcast journalists and television personalities. Among her successes was one that surpasses any award. Walters made use of her presence to counter gender stereotypes and in result, became a feminist icon to women all around the world.
Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac dies at 79
A golden voice is silenced but memorialized for the ages
By Tara Stoeffler
Iconic vocalist and keyboardist, Christine McVie, recently passed away on November 30, 2022. She was known for her key instrumental and vocal contributions to the British-American rock band, Fleetwood Mac. McVie was a revered musician who joined the group in 1970. She added her own style and expertise to several popular hits like “Everywhere” and “You Make Loving Fun.”
McVie was born in July of 1943, where she was raised in a musical family in Bouth, England. Her father, Cyril, was a violinist and music teacher at a school in their area, and her grandfather played the organ in Westminster Abbey. In Birmingham, McVie attended an arts school but later became a musician. She joined “Chicken Shack,” a blues band where she debuted her piano career. Her marriage to Fleetwood Mac’s bassist, John McVie brought further success in 1968. After a couple of years, McVie joined the band herself, marking the beginning of a new era of sound for the Fleetwood Mac.
It didn’t take long for McVie to be recognized as a vital musical source for the band. Future Games of 1971 introduced her signature bluesy vocals, leading her to a future as a lead singer for Fleetwood Mac. Rumors, their 1977 best-selling album, showcased McVie’s talent with songs like “Don’t Stop” and “Songbird.”
McVie was known to be the “Mother Theresa” of the band-- she was a “rock,” even amidst the drama that affected the other bandmates. McVie stated in an interview with Rolling Stone that “although it’s said that we fought a lot, we actually did spend a lot of our time laughing.”
In addition to her production with Fleetwood Mac, McVie released three solo albums: Christine McVie (1984), In the Meantime (2004), and Lindsey Buckingham Christine McVie (2017), a collaborative effort with Lindsey Buckingham.
McVie and her John were divorced in 1976, but they didn’t let that affect their relationship as bandmates. They continued to record among the group even after their separation. For Fleetwood Mac’s 1997 live album, McVie re-joined the band after focusing on her own solo success. Additionally, Fleetwood Mac reunited for a span of long tours, where McVie reconnected with the band after taking a fifteen year break in the early 2000s.
Christine McVie was certainly an influential and powerful artist in the prime era of Fleetwood Mac, but her unmatched, soulful vocals remain a large part of the music industry even decades later. Among the band and as a solo artist, she was able to create a touchstone sound for contemporary music. On top of her natural talent, she proved to be a star of great character and, thus, of great example. McVie was regarded by her bandmates as someone who “was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure.”
From left to right: Lizzo, Harry Styles, Cardi B, Shania Twain, Taylor Swift
The 2023 Grammys; A Big Night for Music History
Grammys entertainment and awards mark a night to always remember
By Alison Palmieri
On February 5th 2023, the 65th Grammy Awards took place in “the city of angels”, the lively city of Los Angeles. This years award ceremony is considered by many to be one of the most important nights in music history. Some of the biggest names in pop culture attended, including Harry Styles, Adele, Beyoncé, Lizzo, and more. With ground-breaking awards and stellar performances, this year's Grammy has claimed its spot in music history. This year's competition among songwriters, singers, and producers was tight, as Grammy nominees are some of the most talented and successful in their fields. Here are some of the most notable winners of the night:
Record of the Year: About Damn Time - Lizzo
Album of the Year: Harry’s House - Harry Styles
Song of the Year: Just Like That - Bonnie Raitt
Best New Artist: Samara Joy
Best Pop Solo Performance: Easy On Me - Adele
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Unholy - Sam Smith and Kim Petras
Best Rap Album: Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers - Kendrick Lamar
Beyoncé made history, claiming the title of most Grammys won in history, surpassing conductor Sir Georg Solti. The singer now boasts 32 Grammys. This year, she won the Grammy for best R&B song, Dance Recording, Traditional R&B Performance, and Dance/Electronic Album. This amazing feat is thanks to her new album RENAISSANCE, published in 2022. Beyoncé went onstage to accept her awards accompanied by thunderous applause and cheers. After thanking her family and friends, Beyoncé said, “I'd like to thank the queer community for your love and for inventing the genre," referring to the many underrepresented early voices in the dance and electronic industry. With this accomplishment in the music industry, Beyoncé has created a name for herself among the many Grammy winners of history.
Viola Davis also accomplished a groundbreaking achievement when she won the Grammy for Book on Tape, for her book Finding Me. This made her one of only 18 people to ever boast an EGOT. An EGOT winner is someone who has won an Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Oscar. Other EGOT winners include Audrey Hepburn, and John Legend. In an emotional speech, Davis expressed gratitude for her achievement. "I wrote this book to honor the six-year-old Viola," said Davis in her brief acceptance speech. "To honor her, her life, and her joy."
The Grammy's also celebrated 50 years of Hip Hop with a historic performance by some of the most beloved hip hop artists, including Lil Wayne, Salt N Pepper, Glorilla, and more. "For five decades, hip-hop has not only been a defining force in music, but a major influence on our culture," said Harvey Mason Jr, CEO of the Recording Academy. "Its contributions to art, fashion, sport, politics, and society cannot be overstated. I'm so proud that we are honoring it in such a spectacular way on the GRAMMY stage. It is just the beginning of our year-long celebration of this essential genre of music."
Another exciting component of the 2023 Grammy's was the addition of new Grammy awards. These included Best Alternative Music Performance; Best Americana Performance; Best Score Soundtrack For Video Games And Other Interactive Media; and Best Spoken Word Poetry Album, and Non-Classical.
Other celebrities also shone on the Red Carpet, showing off individuality through their outfit choices. Many celebrities sported bright colors and glittery pieces on the carpet, adding to the Grammy's reputation of unique and distinct style.
Overall, the Grammys was filled with history-making moments, and was one of the most influential events in music history.
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