Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Names and faces
■ With a musical career already spanning decades, Dionne Warwick is not slowing down a bit at age 82. The Grammy-winning singer has a duet with Dolly Parton, “Peace Like A River,” that is set for release Feb. 24, and a new biographical documentary now streaming on HBO Max. Her latest project with music producer son Damon Elliott and others is an upcoming 50-city live touring show called “Hits! The Musical” with performers ranging in age from 10 to 22. It’s set to begin performances Feb. 23 in Asheville, N.C., and end May 8 in San Francisco. In an interview with The Associated Press, Warwick said she did not hesitate when the opportunity arose to be an executive producer of the “Hits!” revue. “Mom and I, we … don’t endorse pretty much anything,” Elliott said in an interview about the show. “But when it involves kids, as long as they are truly up to par and they work hard and bring that energy, I’ll be behind it.” Warwick said she had “an amazing experience” after watching the group Wednesday run through medleys of everything from Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca” to a mashup of Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” and “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars. “They’ve proven what music can do, bring joy, happiness, inspiration, ability — just life,” Warwick said.
■ Britney Spears shut down rumors that concerned friends and family members were setting up an intervention for her. Plans for an intervention, which was set last week in Los Angeles, were reportedly scrapped when the entertainer became “somewhat aware” of the arrangement, TMZ reported. But Spears directly addressed the rumors Thursday on Instagram. “It makes me sick to my stomach that it’s even legal for people to make up stories that I almost died,” the 41-year-old singer wrote. “I’m probably going to have to stop posting on Instagram because even though I enjoy doing it, there’s obviously a lot of people who don’t wish me well.” On Friday, TMZ reported that the intervention would include Spears’ husband, Sam Asghari; her manager; and medical professionals, who would provide treatment and psychological counseling. The site said her father, Jamie Spears, her mother, Lynne Spears, and the singer’s two teenage sons were not involved in the plans. In a statement Thursday to “Access Hollywood,” Asghari confirmed that an “intervention did not occur,” but he did not deny that there had been a plan in place. “My wife is in full control of her life,” he said. “Speculation on her health is inappropriate and should end immediately.”