Celine Dion is ending her Las Vegas residency soon, but the superstar singer will keep herself busy by releasing new music and embarking on a new world tour later this year.
Dion told a packed venue Wednesday that she will kick off her Courage World Tour in Quebec City, Canada, on Sept. 18, and will make stops in more than 50 cities, including Miami, Los Angeles, Montreal, Chicago and Brooklyn. The 51-year-old Canadian singer said she is expecting to release "Courage," her 12th studio album, in November.
"It's going to be the Celine that you know," she said of the upcoming album. "Celine at 51. The Celine that you know. The Celine with producers and writers she's worked with. It's the Celine with new producers and new songwriters. ... The sound will change a little bit, and music changes. But I will always remain who I am."
Dion performed a few songs including "I'm Alive" and the "Titanic" anthem song "My Heart Will Go On" after making the announcement during a special fan event at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. She started the event with a video of her hitching a ride from Vegas to Los Angeles after her truck broke down.
The Grammy-winning singer said she felt motivated recently to get back on the road and create music for the first time since the death of her husband-managerRené Angélil in 2016.
After more than 15 years, Dion will finish her critically acclaimed Vegas residency at Caesars Palace in June. The singer has toured since starting her Vegas show, but the Courage tour will be her first North American tour since her Taking Chances World Tour in 2009.
Dion called Vegas her second home, but she is ready to take on her new venture. She said don't expect to see her typical Vegas show on the upcoming tour.
"I was supposed to be at Caesars for a few months and sixteen years later, I'm on the road and album coming out," she said. "I cannot feel stronger than I feel here. I'm finding passion, finding my team, in control, in charge, feeling strong and healthy. I take care of myself. I'm happy."
Prince Harry has called for a ban on Fortnite, saying the survival game beloved by teenagers around the world, was "created to addict".
His words add to a growing debate among health workers, governments and lobby groups about whether gaming can be harmful to health.
The remarks come just before the Gaming Bafta Awards, one of the biggest nights in the UK's gaming calendar, which take place in London on Thursday evening.
But is he right?
What did Prince Harry say?
At an event at a YMCA in west London, the Duke of Sussex launched a scathing attack on social media and gaming.
Of Fortnite, he said: "That game shouldn't be allowed. Where is the benefit of having it in your household?
"It's created to addict, an addiction to keep you in front of a computer for as long as possible. It's so irresponsible.
"It's like waiting for the damage to be done and kids turning up on your doorsteps and families being broken down."
He added that social media was "more addictive than alcohol and drugs".
What is Fortnite?
The game has become a global phenomenon and the aim is simple - survive for as long as possible. Each match has a total of 99 other players with the same goals and lasts around 20 minutes, depending on how successful you are.
It has 200 million registered players worldwide and is free to download, but players can spend money on in-game purchases.
Players can play alone, as part of a four-person squad or a 20-member team, either with friends or people they do not know.
Dr Amir Khan said that he was concerned about the impact gaming was having on the boy's life.
It was a light-hearted attempt to draw attention to a serious issue but, anecdotally, more doctors are seeing links between gaming and effects on both the physical and mental health of young people.
There are plenty of gamers who play for long periods of time and say it has no impact on their wider social lives or health.
But some have had enough.
Matus Mikus joined Game Quitters, an online forum made up of thousands of people who have turned their backs on games, after his relationship broke down because he was spending too much time gaming.
"My grades were slipping as a result of playing too many games. I didn't eat, sleep or leave my room. I escaped my problems via games," he recently told a group of MPs.
And he said the effect of playing was triggering physical responses.
"Games fire up response systems in your brain and other things don't bring you as much joy," he told the MPs.
"I was thinking, 'Why would I spend time with my friends when I can play video games?'.
"It felt good to get points, trophies, beat people. It fuelled my competitiveness - but I realised I wasn't truly happy."
James admits he became depressed, but stopped short of saying that gaming was the root cause.
He added that gaming as a teenager was not a problem, because he combined it with an active life, playing sports and going to Scouts, and his parents helped him manage his time.
Being without parental guidance at university appears to be the trigger that turned his gaming from a much-loved activity to an obsession.
He too turned to Game Quitters and admits to having withdrawal symptoms when he followed its challenge for new members to give up gaming for 90 days.
"I was getting headaches, moods and I had to lock my computer in a cupboard," he said.
What's the view of the games firms?
The BBC has asked Epic Games, the makers of Fortnite, for comment but has not yet had a response.
Dr Jo Twist, Ukie's chief executive and chairwoman of Bafta Games, said: "We care about players.
"We want to help parents and carers who don't play games themselves to feel better equipped and knowledgeable about safe and responsible game play, and the positive impact games can have on people's lives."
She added that game age ratings "should be taken seriously" and that parents and carers should use online resources to ensure their children played in a responsible way.
Ukie points to research conducted by Prof Andrew Przybylski, an experimental psychologist at the Oxford Internet Institute, who has said that only 0.3% of gamers might experience problems controlling the time they spend playing video games.
The World Health Organization disagrees and last year recognised excessive gaming as a mental health disorder.
Does gaming need greater government scrutiny?
The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee is currently interviewing gamers, games firms and other experts as part of its ongoing inquiry into technology addiction.
It is due to report back on its findings later this year, but chairman Damian Collins told the BBC: "We have invited Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite, to give evidence to our investigation, which is examining the addictive nature of gaming, as well as links between gaming and gambling.
"We hope that Epic will accept our invitation. We will certainly raise with them the significant concerns that Prince Harry has expressed about Fortnite, and how they respond to his call for it to be banned."
But it is not just the UK that is looking into the links between gaming and the health of youngsters.
China, the world's largest gaming market, is increasingly concerned about addiction and the impact of gaming on children's eyesight, and has taken strong measures to crack down on the issue.
Britney Spears is getting very public support from some of those closest to her after TMZ reported that the singer has checked herself into a mental health facility.
The singer had already put her Las Vegas residency on hold to care for her ailing father, whose colon abruptly ruptured late last year. Now, TMZ reports that despite two surgeries to attempt to correct his system, Jamie Spears continues to suffer complications.
According to TMZ's sources, Spears checked into the facility a week ago as she is struggling with her father's ongoing illness and intends to spend 30 days there.
Jamie Lynn Spears dropped a sweet throwback message to her Instagram page Wednesday evening, clearly thinking about her big sister and how much Britney has always been there for her. In the adorable picture, Britney can be seen getting off of a school bus with a very young Jamie Lynn.
"Yup, she rode the bus home with me after my first day of school, cuz she’s the fn best," Jamie-Lynn captioned the image.
Britney's boyfriend, Sam Asghari, paid tribute to his love by resharing her post with a new caption championing her "absolute strength" and saying how much she is inspiring him by putting her mental health needs first.
As news of the story broke, Spears took to Instagram to share her initial message of inspiration, she captioned, "We all need to take time for a little 'me time.'" It was her first post in nearly three months.
And this was just the tip of the iceberg for Britney, as her fans lit up social media in support of her taking all the time she needs. Below is just a taste of the positivity across Twitter as news of Britney's mental health struggle went public.
Take all the time you need, @britneyspears. Millions of us are rooting for you, always. ❤️
The way Britney Spears continues to get back on her feet after the media hounds her, through personal and now family struggles is so inspirational. She's a fighter and you can never count her out. 🖤
#prayforbritney 20 working years in the business. 2 decades. had ups and downs at a time where it was frowned upon/laughed at for a celebrity to struggle & i’m so glad she is at a place where she can find help for herself because no one is more deserving. we love u @britneyspearspic.twitter.com/zxnDYe4lJO
Sending all of my love and support to @britneyspears ❤️❤️❤️ we all have to take time out for some real self care from time to time. I know I do. Love u bb and can’t wait for whatever is next for u! 💋
I have always had Feelings about the ways people talked about Britney Spears’ super-public struggles with mental health and all I can say is that I hope she’s ok and I am sending good energy into the universe for her.
#BritneySpears please take your time to get better . You are loved by many and even tho we are missing you we want you to be okay . Sending much love 💜
The royal baby watch has officially begun! Fans have started to see less and less of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, as they prepare for the arrival of their upcoming bundle of joy.
Markle’s bump has grown bigger and bigger over the past several weeks, leading royal fans to start speculating Baby Sussex will arrive sometime this month. Although Meghan Markle and Prince Harry haven’t revealed the gender of their baby (and have even said that they themselves don’t know), that’s not stopping royal watchers from placing bets on what the baby’s name will be.
What are the favored baby names?
Shortly after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry revealed their baby news in October 2018, betting sites in England started kicking into high gear. Fans are placing bets on everything from what the baby’s name will be to the timeframe when Markle actually gives birth. Royal fans can even bet on what the baby’s birth weight will be. The most popular betting subject remains baby names, with sites like Ladbrokes taking hundreds of bets as to what the royal couple will ultimately name their bundle of joy.
Popular odds have the royal baby pegged as a girl, and there are three names in the running for Baby Sussex’s moniker. While headlines proclaimed that Prince Harry would prefer the name Diana for a baby girl, popular public opinion has the leading girl name as Elizabeth. According to Ladbrokes, the top three names are Elizabeth, Diana, and Victoria.
Could they really name the baby after the queen?
There are several reasons why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could lend the name Elizabeth some favor. The most obvious one is that it would pay homage to Prince Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. The queen is reportedly a doting grandmother, and would no doubt be thrilled to have her latest great-grandchild named after her. In addition, Markle’s due date is reportedly sometime in late April, and there’s a distinct possibility that the new royal baby could share a birthday with the queen, whose birthday is April 21st. People are so certain that the couple will name the baby after the queen that Ladbrokes has the name at 6/1 odds, very favorable indeed.
Diana remains in the running, though it is seeming more and more likely that it won’t be the name that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle choose for their child. Although Prince Harry was very close to his mother, and the public retains a strong affection for Princess Diana, there are a lot of connotations that would go along with the name.
Princess Diana had a notoriously troubled relationship with the media, and knowing that the new royal baby will be exposed to the press from day one, Prince Harry might feel strongly against placing that burden on a child. Furthermore, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s daughter Charlotte already has the middle name Diana. While there’s still a possibility that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will pay homage to Princess Diana in some way through their baby’s name, it is a small one.
When will Meghan Markle give birth?
Prince Harry and Meghan are expecting their first child, but the couple already look at ease around children.
Meghan is a magnet for hugs and Harry seems to have a knack for cheering up unhappy toddlers.
— The Royal Family Channel (@RoyalFamilyITNP) March 28, 2019
Meghan Markle’s exact due date has not been revealed, in order to protect her and the baby’s privacy. However, royal bump watchers have it pegged for late April or even early May, which means Baby Sussex will be arriving very soon. Of course, no one knows yet if the baby is a boy or a girl, making the matter of guessing the name even more difficult. At least the public doesn’t have much longer to wait, as Meghan Markle will likely be starting her maternity leave very soon.
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, are no strangers to making headlines. Every day, the royal couple deals with an onslaught of media attention, with fans desperate to learn every detail they can about the royal newlyweds.
Now, fans of the pair will be able to keep track of them on an even more personal basis – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle just launched their own Instagram account.
Is the new Instagram account breaking royal protocol?
Historically, the royal family has taken a very hands-off approach when it comes to social media. While there are a series of social media accounts that share certain happenings within the royal family as a group, they actually have a strict set of rulesthey have to follow when it comes to their public images.
Furthermore, the royal family’s social media accounts aren’t actually monitored by any member of the family, so while fans certainly love seeing the images that are shared on the platforms, it is markedly less personal than other celebrity social media pages.
However, with the marriage of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle, there has been a definite shift in the palace’s attitude towards social media. With the vast amount of scrutiny that Markle receives on a daily basis, not all of it positive, the royal family recently published a set of guidelines that were created with the intent to police hateful online comments and react accordingly.
One would think that this would make the palace wary about allowing even more social media accounts, therefore it was even more surprising when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle launched their own Instagram account on April 2.
Did the queen personally approve the account?
What isn’t surprising is the fact that Queen Elizabeth still has to personally approve most of what happens within the royal family, including the creation and dissemination of information via social media.
While she hasn’t always ruled in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s favor when it comes to their independent attitudes (she recently vetoed their request to form their own separate court, independent of Buckingham Palace), she most likely gave her stamp of approval to their new Instagram account.
The account, which goes by the handle @sussexroyal, gained over 1.2 million followers in the first few hours it was active, showing that royal fans are more than interested in seeing what the couple has to say via social media.
As for who exactly is running the account, information has not been released, so whether it is actually Prince Harry and Meghan Markle posting things, or a member of their staff is not clear.
What kinds of things will the royal couple post?
Prior to her marriage to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle was quite active on social media. She had a popular lifestyle blog, and regularly shared glimpses into her life via Instagram. However, her accounts were deactivated when she became a royal family member, in accordance with royal tradition.
She is likely quite excited to get back into the swing of things on Instagram and to connect with fans in a bit more personal way. While the initial post that the couple shared on April 2 didn’t detail exactly what they would be posting, they did give a few clues.
In their first post, they said that they looked forward to sharing the work that inspires them, the causes that drive them, and important announcements. Eagle-eyed fans were quick to point out that “important announcements” could include baby news since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expecting their first child in late April or early May.
Whether or not the pair share any personal pictures of themselves or their baby, having their own Instagram account is a huge step forward for the royal family – it propels them into modern times in a big way.
Britney SpearsChecks Into Mental Health Facility... Distraught Over Dad's Illness
4/3/2019 1:11 PM PDT
EXCLUSIVE
Britney Spears has been admitted to a mental health facility ... TMZ has learned.
Sources connected to Britney tell TMZ she has been distraught over her dad's illness ... something we're told is quite serious and not getting better.
Jamie Spears has now had 2 surgeries to correct major issues with his intestines and colon. The second surgery was recent but he's been suffering complications. Jamie's issues started late last year after his colon spontaneously ruptured.
As you know, Britney put her Vegas residency on hold to care for her dad, and we're told she's been having a really hard time. Britney posted a photo with the words, "Fall in love with taking care of yourself, mind, body, spirit" along with the caption, "We all need to take a little time for a little 'me time.'"
Our sources say Britney checked herself into the facility about a week ago where she will live for 30 days.
It was back in November when Spears announced her Las Vegas show, Britney: Domination, would be put on ice to deal with her dad's health issues ... saying, "A couple of months ago, my father was hospitalized and almost died. We're all so grateful that he came out of it alive, but he still has a long road ahead of him. I had to make the difficult decision to put my full focus and energy on my family at this time."
As TMZ reported, Britney has been under a conservatorship since 2008 for issues relating to bipolarity.
As for how her dad's illness is affecting her ... remember, Jamie saved Britney's life by stepping in back in 2007 when he said he feared he would wake up one morning and get a call from the coroner.
Warner Bros. Pictures just released a disturbing teaser trailer for the new upcoming movie Joker. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, the trailer reveals a little bit about how a man eventually morphed into a killer.
There are a lot of movies that tell the story of the Arkham City characters from 1966's The Batman Series to 2016's Suicide Squad. This film in particular focuses on the life of the joker and how he turned into a murderous, psychotic clown. Themes of bullying, mental illness and violence are all present in the disturbing two-minute video. Watch the trailer below.
There's a long line of actors who have portrayed the character in live-action films, starting with Cesar Romero in 1966's Batman: The Movie, followed by Jack Nicholson's 1989 performance in Batman. The late Heath Ledger actually went as far as isolating himself in a hotel room for weeks in order to adapt to the character's personality for 2008's The Dark Knight, which many regard as his all-time best acting performance.
30 Seconds to Mars' Jared Leto played the villain in 2016's Suicide Squad, though there was some controversy surrounding how much of the clown's screen time was left out of the final movie.
Needless to say, Joaquin Phoenix has some pretty big shoes to fill. Joker comes out Oct. 4.
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