Entertainment
Why Brandi Carlile Said Yes to Super Bowl LX Gig As a Queer Artist
Singer Brandi Carlile is opening up about why she — as an openly gay artist — decided to sing “America the Beautiful” at Super Bowl LX despite the country’s turbulent and divisive political times.
“I have my own moral code, my own moral imperative, that I have to answer to at the end of the day, as a wife and a mother, and I believe in my ability and responsibility to do this, and that’s why I’m here,” Carlile, 44, told Variety in an interview published on Saturday, February 7.
“And the throughline to being queer and being representative of a marginalized community and being put on the largest stage in America to acknowledge the fraught and tender hope that this country is based on, it’s something you don’t say no to,” she added. “You do it.”
The Grammy and Emmy award-winning singer-songwriter is set to perform “America the Beautiful” ahead of Super Bowl 60 between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots on Sunday, February 8, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Carlile will perform as part of a jam-packed pre-game lineup, featuring Green Day and a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” by Charlie Pluth, before Bad Bunny takes the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime stage.
While there’s sure to be plenty of drama on the field, Bad Bunny and the controversy surrounding his upcoming performance has been dominating headlines after conservatives, Republican politicians — including President Donald Trump — and pundits have chastised the NFL for choosing a Puerto Rican artist who performs in Spanish to headline.
(Despite claims from many conservatives, Bad Bunny, real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is an American as Puerto Rico is an American territory.)
Brandi Carlile Getty Images
“You may not know this, but I’m doing the Super Bowl halftime show,” Bad Bunny told the audience while hosting Saturday Night Live in October 2025, addressing the controversy head-on. “I’m very happy and I think everyone is very happy about it! Even Fox News…”
He added, “Really, I’m very excited to be doing the Super Bowl and I know people all around the world who love my music are also happy.”
Bad Bunny then spoke in Spanish, before again addressing the audience and viewers in English.
“If you didn’t understand now what I just said, you have four months to learn!”
While speaking to Variety, Carlile also addressed the divisiveness surrounding the upcoming Super Bowl.
“It shouldn’t be. It shouldn’t be,” Carlile told the publication of how controversial the halftime show has become. “It looks exactly like America! It looks exactly like the United States. It looks like the layers on the field, and it looks like the people that are watching the sport. And that’s how it should be, with a lot of demographics represented, and a lot of enthusiastic people excited to celebrate a huge game on a unifying day.”
Brandi Carlile and her wife, Catherine Shepherd, first struck up a relationship over the phone — but it wasn’t long before they hit it off in person as well. The Grammy winner and the U.K. native met in 2009 while Shepherd was working for Paul McCartney, coordinating his charity work. Carlile and her future wife spoke […]
She continued, “And I think that the folks that put together the entertainment portion of the Super Bowl this year just did a bang-up job. It’s really good. Bad Bunny’s incredible — an incredible spirit and performer. It’s gonna be a fabulous halftime show.”
The award-winning singer also spoke to how important it was for her to perform a song penned by Katharine Lee Bates, who is believed to have been gay.
“You know, I feel called to a long line of contemplative and struggling people. I feel motivated by the fact that she was very likely gay, and a woman relying on her intellect in a time when that was difficult for women to do so, and living with a partner who was doing the same thing,” she explained. “And still choosing — even in that total oppression; even not being able to be married; even not being able to say that she was gay, or to be elevated to the heights that she probably deserved to be elevated to in politics — and, during those times, to still love America and to still believe that it could get to a place of goodness.”
She added, “I won’t say greatness, because that feels a little, you know, patriarchal. But goodness. And I believe the same thing. And I have a sliver of the struggle ahead of and behind me that she was facing in her day. So, you know, this is an interesting song. And it’s an interesting decision that I’m making. I definitely don’t want to be seen as a neoliberal or as someone who’s glossing over the problems that we have in this country. I want to be seen as one of the people that’s helping.”
Continue Reading
Entertainment
“The View”'s Sunny Hostin calls out Kid Rock lyrics about liking underage girls amid his Bad Bunny criticism
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Kid-Rock-Sunny-Hostin-Bad-Bunny-020626-e094943dd1524eb7834572bc035e06c6.jpg)
“Kid Rock is a very average artist who’s gone past his prime,” Alyssa Farah Griffin later added.
The longest-running primetime medical drama Grey’s Anatomy has been airing for 22 seasons now. Fans who were there during the first years claim the show went downhill after Cristina’s (Sandra Oh) exit or Derek’s (Patrick Dempsey) death. Even with the new batch of interns taking the spotlight, newer fans see the latest seasons as underwhelming at best. Arguments can be made with respect to the show’s quality over time, but the truth is newer seasons have featured notable highlights.
Ever since Krista Vernoff returned to join Shonda Rhimes as co-showrunner in Season 14, Grey’s Anatomy went through a reinvention that produced thoroughly engaging storylines. But there’s a specific point in which the show produced one of the best seasons of its modern era. In Season 17, Grey Sloan Memorial had to face head-on the COVID-19 pandemic. Though at the time, it might have hit too close to home, it gave Grey’s Anatomy a new meaning and purpose in the ever-changing landscape of medical TV dramas.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Felt Relevant Once Again in Season 17
The COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. Shutting everything down to prevent the spread of this new and deadly disease, humanity had to adapt to face this new reality. In entertainment, this meant shutting down productions of movies and TV shows – thus paralyzing the industry for the foreseeable future. When Grey’s Anatomy was able to resume production, the big questions of what the doctors of Grey Sloan should do and how they should proceed were answered swiftly – tackle the pandemic head-on.
By covering this delicate topic, Season 17 of Grey’s Anatomy made the show feel relevant once again. Whereas there was a long-standing tradition of showcasing catastrophe episodes every year, the entirety of Season 17 covered a real and global crisis that the doctors seemed powerless to face. The stakes felt real once again, as the hospital had to adapt to new sanitary measures, while trying to keep its patients and staff safe. Still, when the topic was gloomy, the later episodes of the season managed to end on a high note, flashing forward to the introduction of the vaccines and finally being able to recover the sense of normalcy we live with today.
Meredith’s Beach Featured the Return of Several ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Fan-Favorites
Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) will never be exempt from catastrophes in her life. Whether personal or professional, she has always been on the brink of figurative or literal death. In Season 17, she was one of the early cases of COVID-19 the hospital had to treat. This brought the controversial beach into the show’s narrative. Love it or hate it, this metaphysical space was an escape from the dark reality both the audience and the hospital were facing at the time. This became our safe space – a maskless and bright place where happy reunions simply happened.
Thus, Season 17 featured fan-favorite and long-awaited returns in one of the few ways that made sense in the show’s narrative. This was the precise moment to bring back Chyler Leigh’s Lexie for one final heartfelt chat with her sister. Lexie’s comeback also brought Eric Dane’s Mark, as a sign that they had found a happy ending after all. T.R. Knight’s George strolled by to talk about how his death affected Meredith’s life. Last, but not least, Meredith saw Derek once again at this fateful moment. Seeing the power couple reunited was a tender callback to their better times. All of them encourage Meredith to keep fighting and return to her family. And though they were constructs of her own comatose mind, their appearances felt like a hug in the direst of times.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 17 Features the Last Impactful Deaths the Show Has Seen
Grey’s Anatomy’s tradition of featuring impactful deaths practically stopped with Season 17. It makes sense, considering it’d be hard to top their emotional punch. The first was Elena Bailey (Bianca F. Taylor), Miranda’s (Chandra Wilson) mother. After becoming infected with COVID-19 at her nursing home, Elena’s chances of survival were minimal, because the elderly were at higher risk. Grey’s Anatomy faithfully depicted the frustrating protocols that this catastrophe brought forth. The people who represented our support system were fated to die in isolation during this harrowing time. By showing this through Miranda’s resignation and Elena’s final moments, the series honored the victims of the pandemic.
The 15 Most Hated ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Characters, Ranked
While these doctors saved lives, they also made some poor decisions.
The second victim that this season claimed was Giacomo Gianniotti’s Andrew DeLuca. He died a hero, because he was responsible for the apprehension of a human trafficker, and his goodbye was one of the most heartfelt and heartbreaking moments in the modern era of Grey’s Anatomy. Meeting Meredith at her beach, he thanked her for the time they shared and for pushing him to get to know himself. The ambivalence of having to “choose” between life and death is elevated by DeLuca’s reunion with his mother. His bittersweet farewell represents an ideal welcome to the afterlife – and not everyone has gotten this courtesy in Grey’s Anatomy.
In retrospect, Season 17 of Grey’s Anatomy has quietly become one of the best of its modern era. More recent outings have struggled to recapture the emotional impact that this season had. With Pompeo’s departure as a regular in Season 19, this could also be considered the last time Meredith was front-and-center as the main focus of the show. Since the series is nowhere near its end, hopefully it will recapture this gut-wrenching feeling once again.
- Release Date
-
March 27, 2005
- Directors
-
Rob Corn, Kevin McKidd, Debbie Allen, Chandra Wilson, Allison Liddi-Brown, Jeannot Szwarc, Tony Phelan
- Writers
-
Shonda Rhimes, Julie Wong, Jen Klein, Tameson Duffy, Meg Marinis
-
-
Chandra Wilson
Dr. Miranda Bailey
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/WILL--GRACE-Megan-Mullally-Charles-C-Stevenson-Jr-as-Smitty-Alec-Baldwin-020626-b1a6cbb7c2ee443f916f37e55a5eab2e.jpg)
The actor, best known for playing Smitty the bartender in the NBC sitcom, died on Jan. 19
Entertainment
White House tries to defend Trump's racist mockery of Barack and Michelle Obama as “The Lion King” parody
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Donald-Trump-Barack-Obama-Michelle-Obama-020626-49d95fd095cf401baac8fcc33702b7a4.jpg)
A video posted and deleted on Trump’s Truth Social account depicted the former president and first lady as apes, set to the Tokens’ “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”
Seahawks Vs. Patriots
Big Game WAGs
Published
More than a decade in the making, the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will meet again in the Super Bowl … and the wives and girlfriends are ready to see who comes out on top!!
Of course, Cardi B is expected to be Stefon Diggs‘ most passionate cheerleader at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara — even though her Little Miss Drama tour starts 48 hours after the Gig Game.
Instagram/@iamcardib
Drake Maye‘s wife, Ann Michael Maye, has been his biggest fan since middle school … and she certainly won’t miss his first Super Bowl appearance as a Patriot.
Jayda Hawkins — who married Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins in March 2025 — and fullback Jack Westover‘s pregnant wife, Sean, will also be present and ready to rep NE on the west coast.
The Seahawks WAGs will show up in full force, too — led by Cooper Kupp‘s wife, Anna Marie, who was super supportive after the Rams dropped him last year. Now, he’s headed to his second Super Bowl.
Same for Josh Jobe — who went to Super Bowl LVII with the Eagles — and his pregnant bride-to-be, Nayomie Suarez.
It’ll be a first for Sam Darnold‘s fiancée, Kate, and DeMarcus Lawrence‘s wife, Sasha — who are all getting their first taste of the Super Bowl stage.
Thanks to these lovely ladies … this matchup is already one to remember.
Entertainment
Mariah Carey opens 2026 Olympics with Eurovision hit song you might also know from “Lizzie McGuire” “Movie”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Mariah-Carey-Winter-Olympics-020626-1-c3c3aaef76ef4d57abcbdd2be8ac6b39.jpg)
The singer performed “Volare” plus one of her own hits at the Milano Cortina Games.
Senator Mark Kelly
No One Can Hear You Fart in Space!!!
Published
TMZ.com
Senator Mark Kelly says astronauts aren’t in a space jam when they let one rip … telling us passing gas in a full space suit isn’t at all like you might imagine.
We caught up with the Democratic Senator from Arizona Thursday in D.C. … and, he gave us the 4-1-1 on cutting the lunar cheese.
Watch the video … Kelly — who’s completed four out-of-this-world missions up to the International Space Station — explains why astronauts on the ISS should feel secure letting a little methane out of their A-S-S.
We also asked the senator if he’d ever consider flying up on Jeff Bezos‘ Blue Origin like Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez, Gayle King and others did in April of last year … a flight that was mercilessly mocked online … check out what he had to say!
Suede Brooks’
Sexiest Snaps
To Celebrate Her 25th Birthday!
Published
Temperatures are dropping, and we know you could use some extra heat this weekend … it’s Suede Brooks‘ 25th birthday — so it’s time for some hot shots!
Check out a selection of the influencer’s sexiest photos … the fashion and beauty icon specializes in fiery ‘fits, so dive in and warm up!
Happy Birthday Suede!
After hugely positive first responses arrived earlier this week, Chris Hemsworth fans look set for a huge treat when his new heist thriller Crime 101 debuts next week. Starring Hemsworth and his MCU mate Mark Ruffalo, Crime 101 is now one of the most anticipated movies of the month, with one critic calling it “the kind of classy heist thriller we don’t see much of these days,” and another saying it’s “slickly crafted, tightly written, and filled to the brim with compelling characters and a moody, immersive LA atmosphere.”
As fans wait for Hemsworth’s latest big hit, many are heading back into his catalog and checking out one of his most divisive movies: Blackhat. Directed by Michael Mann — whose magnum opus Heat is proving a popular point of comparison with the aforementioned Crime 101 — Blackhat stars Hemsworth alongside Oscar-winner Viola Davis, Tang Wei, and Mindhunter‘s Holt McCallany. Written by Morgan Davis Foehl, the film stars Hemsworth as convicted hacker Nick Hathaway, who is offered clemency to help hunt down a dangerous cybercriminal.
At the time of writing, Blackhat is one of the 10 most-streamed movies on HBO Max worldwide. The action thriller joins two of the Best Picture favorites at the upcoming Academy Awards in the current top ten, with Paul Thomas Anderson‘s masterpiece, One Battle After Another, in third and director Ryan Coogler‘s beloved vampire flick, Sinners, at the top of the charts. A synopsis for Blackhat reads:
“After a Hong Kong nuclear plant and the Mercantile Trade Exchange in Chicago are hacked by unknown perpetrators, a federal agent proposes that the FBI work with China to find the cyber-criminals. The leader of the Chinese team, Chen Dawai, insists that convicted hacker Nick Hathaway be released from prison to help with the investigation. As Nick and his comrades chase their quarry, it becomes evident that the hackers have a sinister motive for their actions.”
‘Blackhat’ Was a Huge Box Office Bomb
Against a reported production budget of $70 million, Blackhat‘s 2015 theatrical run was an enormous disaster as it bowed out with just $19.6 million worldwide. Split between a domestic haul of $8 million and a further $11.6 million from overseas markets, Blackhat hugely disappointed, no doubt thanks to consistently terrible critical reception. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the movie earned just 33% from critics, with the consensus reading, “Thematically timely but dramatically inert, Blackhat strands Chris Hemsworth in a muddled misfire from director Michael Mann.”
Stay tuned to Collider for the latest streaming stories.
- Release Date
-
January 16, 2015
- Runtime
-
133 minutes
- Director
-
Michael Mann
- Writers
-
Morgan Davis Foehl
- Producers
-
Jon Jashni
Entertainment
Sheryl Crow calls for Donald Trump to be 'imprisoned' over Epstein: 'Who are we if we do not stand up for children?'
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/sheryl-crow-donald-trump-020626-d06ec9d42de6446d9c05610389ad956a.jpg)
“Those named in the Epstein files in other countries are going down hard for it. Not in America. We’re just going to act like it never happened or that it’s fake,” the singer wrote on Instagram.
Politics2 minutes ago
“You are getting ahead of yourself” – Tice refuses to confirm Reform UK shadow cabinet plans
Business6 minutes ago
Vonn Crashes Out of Olympic Downhill at Milano Cortina
Crypto World7 minutes ago
Bitcoin Mining’s Biggest Shock Since the 2021 China’s Ban
-
Video5 days agoWhen Money Enters #motivation #mindset #selfimprovement
-
Tech4 days agoWikipedia volunteers spent years cataloging AI tells. Now there’s a plugin to avoid them.
-
Politics6 days agoSky News Presenter Criticises Lord Mandelson As Greedy And Duplicitous
-
Sports1 day agoJD Vance booed as Team USA enters Winter Olympics opening ceremony
-
Tech2 days agoFirst multi-coronavirus vaccine enters human testing, built on UW Medicine technology
-
Sports22 hours ago
Former Viking Enters Hall of Fame
-
Crypto World6 days agoMarket Analysis: GBP/USD Retreats From Highs As EUR/GBP Enters Holding Pattern
-
Sports2 days ago
New and Huge Defender Enter Vikings’ Mock Draft Orbit
-
NewsBeat5 days agoUS-brokered Russia-Ukraine talks are resuming this week
-
NewsBeat2 days agoSavannah Guthrie’s mother’s blood was found on porch of home, police confirm as search enters sixth day: Live
-
Business3 days agoQuiz enters administration for third time
-
Sports6 days agoShannon Birchard enters Canadian curling history with sixth Scotties title
-
NewsBeat6 days agoGAME to close all standalone stores in the UK after it enters administration
-
NewsBeat3 days agoStill time to enter Bolton News’ Best Hairdresser 2026 competition
-
NewsBeat1 day agoDriving instructor urges all learners to do 1 check before entering roundabout
-
Crypto World5 days agoRussia’s Largest Bitcoin Miner BitRiver Enters Bankruptcy Proceedings: Report
-
NewsBeat5 days agoImages of Mamdani with Epstein are AI-generated. Here’s how we know
-
Crypto World3 days agoHere’s Why Bitcoin Analysts Say BTC Market Has Entered “Full Capitulation”
-
Crypto World3 days agoWhy Bitcoin Analysts Say BTC Has Entered Full Capitulation
-
Fashion2 days agoKelly Rowland and Method Man Bring the Fashion for Relationship Goals Press Tour: Courtside in a Fringed TTSWTRS Jacket, Black and White Rowen Rose, Stella McCartney, and More!