Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
BTS ‘devastated’ by hate crime surge
K-pop sensation BTS visited the White House on Tuesday to talk with President Joe Biden about combating the rise in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
Band members J-Hope, RM, Suga, Jungkook, V, Jin and Jimin joined White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at her briefing with reporters on the final day of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Jimin said the band had been “devastated by the recent surge” of crime and intolerance against Asian Americans that has persisted since the start of the pandemic.
“It’s not wrong to be different,” Suga said through an interpreter. “Equality begins when we open up and embrace all of our differences.” V said that “everyone has their own history.”
“We hope today is one step forward to understanding and respecting each and everyone as a valuable person,” V added.
The band members wore black suits and ties and took turns briefly stepping to the podium. They got a tour of the White House before the briefing, and held a closed-door meeting with the president in the Oval Office afterward.
Since its debut in 2013, BTS has garnered global recognition for the members’ self-produced music and activism, including an appearance at the United Nations.
On Tuesday, the band thanked its fans, with Jungkook saying, “We still feel surprised that music created by South Korean artists reaches so many people around the world, transcending language and cultural barriers.”
Doja Cat, Drake, Lennox lead BET Awards nods:
Doja Cat scored six nominations for the BET Awards, hosted by Taraji P. Henson and airing live on June 26 from Los Angeles.
Drake and Ari Lennox are the second most nominated acts, scoring four nods each. Three nominations went to several others including Baby Keem, Silk Sonic, Chloe Bailey, Future, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), Kendrick Lamar,
Lil Baby, Mary J. Blige and Tems.
The winners in the 19 categories, including film and sports awards, will be selected by BET’s Voting Academy, comprised of entertainment professionals and fans.
Deneuve to be honored at Venice festival: The great French film star Catherine Deneuve will receive the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at the 79th Venice International Film Festival in September, organizers said Wednesday.
Deneuve, 78, has worked consistently for nearly 60 years, transcending her ingenue beginnings to become one of the most recognizable and respected stars in the world. In addition to her 14 Cesar Awards nominations and two wins, she was also nominated for best actress at the Oscars for “Indochine” from 1992.
“It is a joy to receive this prestigious award at the Venice Festival,” Deneuve said in a statement. “It is also an honor to be chosen for this tribute at the Film Festival that has accompanied me so often for so many movies.”
June 2 birthdays: Actor Charles Haid is 79. Actor Jerry Mathers is 74. Actor Dennis Haysbert is 68. Comedian Dana Carvey is 67. TV personality Andy Cohen is 54. Actor Anthony Montgomery is 51. Comedian Wayne Brady is 50. Actor Zachary Quinto is 45. Actor Morena Baccarin is 43. Actor Awkwafina is 34.