Meghan lands post-royal film gig
CELEBRITIES
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has her first postroyal job: narrating a Disney documentary about elephants.
Disney announced Thursday that the duchess, who is married to Britain's Prince Harry, is lending her voice to “Elephant,” to be released April 3 on the Disney Plus streaming service. It's one of a series of animal- and naturethemed features released to mark Earth Month.
The film follows an elephant family on a 1,000mile journey across the Kalahari desert.
Harry and Meghan announced in January that they were quitting as senior royals, relinquishing official duties and seeking financial independence. Since late last year they have been based on Vancouver Island, and they will officially end royal duties on March 31.
Swift surprises fans with donations: Taylor Swift is helping fill the blank space where incomes have gone for several of her fans. Some 10 people so far have gotten thousands of dollars from the “Lover” and “1989” hit-maker.
One fan, Holly Turner, got a cash infusion from Swift after the freelance music photographer and graphic designer wrote on Tumblr that her livelihood was threatened and she was considering whether to leave New York City.
Swift sent $3,000 and wrote, “Holly, you've always been there for me. I want to be there for you right now. I hope this helps. Love, Taylor.” Turner was understandably shocked. Swift “literally single-handedly saved my ability to stay here. I cannot even believe my eyes right now,” Turner wrote.
Swift also sent $3,000 to a fan who was stressed about bills piling up, prompting this response from the recipient: “This beautiful magical unbelievable human. I don't even know where to begin.”
Golden Globes amend eligibility rules: The Golden Globes will accept movie submissions without a theatrical release for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced Thursday.
The press association, which puts on the annual award show, said films that are first released on television or a streaming service will be eligible for January's Globes. Usually, the Globes mandate that a film play for a week in a Los Angeles theater or on pay-per-view, as well as have an official screening for its voting members.
The press association said the eligibility change was temporary and would last from March 15 to April 30, “with this period subject to later review and extension.”
Pandemic postpones Tony Awards: With Broadway shuttered amid the coronavirus pandemic, producers of the Tony Awards have postponed this year's celebration of American theater.
The show, originally set for June 7, will be “rescheduled at a later date,” according to producers.
March 27 birthdays: Julian Glover is 85. Jerry Lacy is 84. Michael York is 78. Tony Banks is 70. Andrew Farriss is 61. Dave Koz is 57. Quentin Tarantino is 57. Pauley Perrette is 51. Mariah Carey is 50. Elizabeth Mitchell is 50. Nathan Fillion is 49. Fergie is 45. Brenda Song is 32.