Justin Bieber performs at Saudi race
Pop star Justin Bieber performed to a packed crowd in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, singing some of his most popular hits. The Sunday night concert took place even as human rights campaigners and activists called on Bieber to cancel his performance to protest the kingdom’s arrests and crackdown of critics.
Bieber’s model wife, Hailey Baldwin Bieber, posted a video on Instagram of him on stage, with the words: “Go Baby.” Other videos on social media showed Bieber on stage solo, wearing a coordinated red outfit. Pop and R&B singer Jason Derulo performed before Bieber with backup female dancers in sweatpants and baggy tops.
Only a few years ago, this would have been an unthinkable scene in Saudi Arabia, where ultraconservative norms prevailed. Concerts were banned, and unmarried men and women were segregated in public spaces. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is behind the sweeping changes.
Human Rights Watch and others, however, have called on celebrities to boycott the kingdom, saying such events are aimed at diverting attention and deflecting scrutiny from Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
Bieber, who has not commented on the public pressure surrounding his performance, took the stage as part of Saudi Arabia’s Grand Prix, a Formula One season race.
Kennedy Center Honors resume:
The Kennedy Center Honors returned to tradition this year with a real-life gala Sunday and the presence of the president for the first time since 2016.
The lifetime achievement awards for artistic excellence were presented to Motown Records creator Berry Gordy, “Saturday Night Live” mastermind Lorne Michaels, actor-singer Bette Midler, opera singer Justino Diaz and folk music legend Joni Mitchell. The tributes to them featured testimonials and performances.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden also attended the event. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump skipped the show the first three years he was in office after several of the artists honored in 2017 threatened to boycott a White House reception if he participated. Last year, the pandemic forced a delay and major changes to the program.
The ceremony will be broadcast Dec. 22 by CBS.
Holland to play Astaire:
Actor Tom Holland said Sunday that he plans to play Fred Astaire in an upcoming biopic.
“Oh, I am playing Fred Astaire,” the “Spider-Man” star said at an event in London. “Yeah, I am.”
Producer Amy Pascal recently said she wanted Holland to play Astaire, but Holland had yet to comment on the possibility until now. While his dance background hasn’t been highlighted in his superhero films, Holland, 25, played the title role in “Billy Elliott: The Musical” from 2008 to 2010.
Singer Jackson dies: Country musician Stonewall Jackson, 89, who sang on the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years and had No. 1 hits with “Waterloo” and others, died Saturday after a long battle with vascular dementia. The Opry announced Jackson’s death in a news release.
The guitarist performed on the Opry beginning in 1956 and was still appearing in 2010. Over his career, Jackson landed 44 singles on the Billboard country chart.
Dec. 7 birthdays: Bluegrass singer Bobby Osborne is 90. Actor Ellen Burstyn is 89. Singer Tom Waits is 72. Actor Priscilla Barnes is 67. Actor Jeffrey Wright is 56. Actor C. Thomas Howell is 55. Actor Kimberly Hebert Gregory is 49. Actor Shiri Appleby is 43. Singer Sara Bareilles is 42. Actor Jack Huston is 39. Singer Aaron Carter is 34.