Domingo vows to clear his name
Placido Domingo is back in Europe to receive a lifetime achievement award after a bout with the coronavirus, vowing in an interview with a top Italian daily newspaper to clear his name from allegations of sexual misconduct.
The opera legend’s appearance Thursday to accept the award from the Austria Music Theater was slated to be his first in public since recovering from the virus at his home in Mexico. Domingo, 79, told La Repubblica that his illness made him “no longer afraid to speak out” about the allegations that virtually ended his performance career.
“When I knew that I had COVID, I promised myself that if I came out alive, I would fight to clear my name,” he said. “I never abused anyone. I will repeat that as long as I live.”
Multiple women accused Domingo of sexual harassment and abusing his power while he held management positions at LA Opera and Washington National Opera, with dozens of people saying his behavior was an open secret in the opera world.
The allegations split the industry, with U.S. opera houses canceling Domingo’s engagements and European houses mostly sticking by him. He is about to embark on a busy fall European calendar, with stops near Naples and in Verona and Milan.
Davis, James among AAFCA TV honorees:
Viola Davis, Sterling K. Brown and LeBron James are among several honorees at the AAFCA TV Honors later this month.
The African American Film Critics Association announced the recipients of the second annual event on Wednesday. The virtual ceremony is scheduled to air on Aug. 22.
“In a time of such uncertainty, we have witnessed how powerful the medium of television and streaming is,” said Gil Robertson, co-founder and president of AAFCA. “We couldn’t be more proud to honor shows and performances that uplift and inspire at a time when we all need entertainment the most.”
Davis will be honored for best actress for her role on ABC’s “How to Get Away With Murder.” Brown will receive best actor recognition for his character on NBC’s “This Is Us.” “I Promise” will receive the AAFCA’s inaugural award for best short film. The documentary series on Quibi chronicled the first year of James launching the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio.
Colbert, Corden to return to studios:
Latenight hosts Stephen Colbert and James Corden are set to return to their home studios next week, according to ViacomCBS CEO
Bob Bakish. Bakish revealed the plans during a Thursday investors call.
But the shows will still look different from what fans have come to expect. Neither program will include a live, in-studio audience, Bakish said.
The duo follows other contemporaries who are moving out of “at-home” production. Conan O’Brien has moved his “Conan” on TBS to a small Los Angeles-area theater, and NBC’s Jimmy Fallon has brought his “Tonight Show” back to NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza headquarters in New York.
Aug. 7 birthdays: Humorist Garrison Keillor is 78. Singer B.J. Thomas is 78. Actor John Glover is 76. Actor Caroline Aaron is 68. Actor Wayne Knight is 65. Actor David Duchovny is 60. Actor Harold Perrineau is 57. Singer Raul Malo is 55. Actor David Mann is 54. Actor Sydney Penny is 49. Actor Charlize Theron is 45. Actor Liam James is 24.