Hunt’s wife changes course
The wife of country singer Sam Hunt is changing her tune.
A judge canceled the couple’s divorce proceedings in April at the request of wife Hannah Lee Fowler, TMZ reported over the weekend.
Fowler, who is pregnant with her and Hunt’s first child, had filed for divorce in February, accusing the 37-year-old singer of “inappropriate marital conduct” at the time.
“The husband is guilty of such cruel and inhuman treatment or conduct toward the spouse as renders cohabitation unsafe or improper,” read her filing in Tennessee, according to TMZ.
Neither Hunt nor Fowler had announced the pregnancy before she submitted the divorce filing. The couple has been together since 2008 and got married 2017.
Fowler is due to give birth to a baby girl later this month.
They haven’t commented publicly on the end of the divorce case, but were reportedly seen together recently in Tennessee.
Hunt, a four-time Grammy nominee, is known for songs such as “Body Like a Back Road” and “Break Up in a Small Town.” The Georgia-born arist was nominated for best new artist at the 2016 Grammy Awards.
—New York Daily News
Gatwa tapped to play next Doctor Who
Ncuti Gatwa is stepping into the TARDIS.
The “Sex Education” actor has been tapped to take over for Jodie Whittaker as Doctor Who, the BBC announced Sunday.
“There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling. A mix of deeply honored, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared,” the 29year-old Rwandan-scottish actor said in a statement.
“This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care. I will endeavor my upmost to do the same.”
Gatwa will be the 14th Doctor and the first Black actor to step into the role fulltime (Jo Martin played “Fugitive Doctor” Ruth Clayton in several episodes in 2020). He’ll follow in the footsteps of Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi and Whittaker in the rebooted version of “Doctor Who” that launched in 2005.
Whittaker announced in July she would be stepping down from the role after three seasons, as did showrunner Chris Chibnall. Russell T Davies, who served as the showrunner when the show was revived, will take over again.
“The future is here and it’s Ncuti! Sometimes talent walks through the door and it’s so bright and bold and brilliant, I just stand back in awe and thank my lucky stars. Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds,” Davies said in a statement.
“It’s an honor to work with him, and a hoot. I can’t wait to get started. I’m sure you’re dying to know more, but we’re rationing ourselves for now, with the wonderful Jodie’s epic finale yet to come. But I promise you, 2023 will be spectacular!”
Gatwa is best known for playing the loud and proud best friend Eric Effiong on Netflix’s “Sex Education” alongside Asa Butterfield, Emma Mackey and Gillian Anderson. He’s also set to star in the upcoming “Barbie” movie.
—New York Daily News
U2 members perform surprise Ukraine show
Members of U2 performed a surprise show in Ukraine on Sunday, playing in a Kyiv subway station that has been used as a bomb shelter during Russia’s invasion.
With the Edge playing an acoustic guitar, Bono sang “With or Without You,” “Desire,” “Angel of Harlem” and other hits for a crowd reeling from more than two months of war.
“The people in Ukraine are not just fighting for your own freedom; you are fighting for all of us who love freedom,” Bono was quoted as saying by the Irish Times.
He spoke about his native Ireland’s historic struggles with the U.K. and how those countries enjoy peace today.
“We pray that you will enjoy some of that peace soon,” said the multiple Grammy Award-winning artist.
Bono invited one of the soldiers in the audience to join him for a rendition of Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me,” and they replaced the word “me” with “Ukraine” for the rendition.
“It’s some good emotions, that’s all,” a troop in the audience told the Irish Times.
Bono’s show came at the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U2 tweeted Sunday.
“President @Zelenskyyua invited us to perform in Kyiv as a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people and so that’s what we’ve come to do,” the band said, adding the hashtag “Standwithukraine.”