Names and faces
Mariah Carey is determined to have a better New Year’s Eve than in 2016 — she is returning to Dick Clark’s New
Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest after last year’s debacle. The Grammy-winning singer’s live performance in Times Square on New Year’s Eve 2016 was marked by problems. She was visibly upset and at points stopped singing, despite a pre-recorded track playing in the background. The performance went viral for all the wrong reasons. Afterward, Carey posted a meme of herself on social media with the message “S**t happens.” But it also led to a public spat between the best-selling singer and Dick Clark Productions as to who was at fault, with Carey’s camp claiming sabotage with technical glitches, including a faulty earpiece, and Dick Clark Productions denying the claims and accusing Carey of not rehearsing enough. Now, both sides have kissed and made up. “We can all agree that last year didn’t go exactly as planned and we are thrilled to move forward together to provide America with an incredible night of music and celebration on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018,” a joint statement released to The Associated Press said. “See you in Times Square!” Other performers already announced for the live Times Square performances include Camila Cabello, Nick Jonas and Sugarland.
Renowned conductor Charles Dutoit on Saturday denied accusations of sexual misconduct that have caused major symphonies in Europe, Australia and the United States to suspend relationships with him. Dutoit’s office issued a statement saying the allegations “have absolutely no basis in truth” and vowed to mount a meaningful defense. Three singers and a musician have accused him of sexual assault. Dutoit’s first response to the allegations was defiant. “The allegations made against me are as shocking to me as they are to my friends and colleagues. I do not recognize the man or the actions being described in the media,” he said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. “Whilst informal physical contact is commonplace in the arts world as a mutual gesture of friendship, the serious accusations made involving coercion and forced physical contact have absolutely no basis in truth. I am taking legal advice and plan to meaningfully defend myself and I believe within this current climate, media accusations on serious physical abuse do not help society tackle these issues properly if the claims are in fact not true.” The 81-year-old Dutoit is artistic director and principal conductor at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. The orchestra said Friday that it had jointly decided with Dutoit to relieve him of coming concert obligations.