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IANS News

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Indo-Asian News Service or IANS is a private Indian news agency. The IANS was founded by Indian American publisher Gopal Raju as the India Abroad News Service. It was later renamed the Indo-Asian News Service. The IANS has its main offices located in Noida.

Articles Written By IANS News

Harvey Weinstein survives COVID-19
2251 days ago
Hollywood

Harvey Weinstein survives COVID-19

Los Angeles, April 10 (IANS) Disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has survived COVID-19 and has been released from a 14-day quarantine.## "He has been released from medical isolation and has now been "deemed alright," his spokesperson Juda Engelmayer informed about Weinstein, who is out of his 14-day quarantine at Wende Correctional Facility, the New York facility where he was housed as per a report by foxnews.com.## The spokesperson, however, denied knowledge of what symptoms of the novel coronavirus Weinstein, 68, may have had.## As per the disgraced movie mogul's prison consultant Craig Rothfeld, they "cannot comment on Mr. Weinstein's health condition due to HIPPA Laws in addition to wanting to maintain his privacy which he deserves".## Rothfield did say that Weinstein "is still in the Regional Medical Unit (RMU) at Wende CF and being monitored for his various medical conditions".## His team pointed out that he is "in a super-maximum prison with no special treatment. He doesn't have his own phone, TV or any other things people are speculating about".## On March 11, the producer was sentenced to 23 years in prison for third-degree rape and a criminal sex act. He, however, maintained that he had consensual "extramarital affairs" with the victims. A week later, he was transferred from the city prison Rikers Island to Wende and it was then when he was tested positive for COVID-19 and immediately put in isolation.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

When Joaquin Phoenix threw up backstage before TV interview
2251 days ago
Hollywood

When Joaquin Phoenix threw up backstage before TV interview

Los Angeles, April 10 (IANS) Intense anxiety before a TV interview once made Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix throw up backstage.## The "Joker" actor has shared the experience with GQ magazine, adding that has to take special measures to cope with his stress when working, reports aceshowbiz.com.## Phoenix said he "still gets crippling anxiety for weeks before shooting starts" and "feels physically sick" when he begins working on new projects.## "For the first three weeks of shooting, I sweat so much that they have to put pads in my armpits."## Film director James Gray told the portal: "He is incredibly shy - something most people think is an act or something."## Gray, who worked with Phoenix on projects like "We Own the Night" and "The Immigrant", recalled once waiting backstage with him before a TV interview, when he got so nervous he puked.## He didn't share what show the star was due to appear on.## Phoenix said his nerves come about because "everything they teach you as a kid (about acting) is completely f**king wrong."## "They teach you to remember your lines. Wrong! They teach you to follow your light. Wrong! They teach you to hit your mark. Wrong, wrong, wrong! Those are the things that you shouldn't do."## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

American band The Aces feel people need music more than ever now
2251 days ago
Hollywood

American band The Aces feel people need music more than ever now

New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) American alternative pop band The Aces made a bold move by releasing their new song, "Lost Angeles", amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic. They promise to continue to give their fans new music as they feel people need music more than ever right now.## Many projects have been put on hold due to the global lockdown following the increase in a number of victims of the novel coronavirus outbreak.## But The Aces, which consist of sisters Cristal (lead vocalist and guitarist) and Alisa Ramirez (drummer), Katie Henderson (guitarist) and McKenna Petty (bassist), dropped their new song just a few days ago.## "'Lost Angeles' was actually written about a year ago. It documents our experience moving from our smaller suburban home town, and how heartbreak can change a city for you. We think people need music more than ever right now, so we will continue to give our fans new music," Cristal told IANS.## The quartet had also recently released the video of their track "Daydream".## Now, they are in Utah in the US with family. "We aren't getting together because we are trying to be as safe as we can, but lots of group FaceTimes are happening," said Alisa.## They just united for a virtual performance and chat with their fans for ‘Vh1 Quarantunes' Live on the Instagram page of Vh1 India.## They are used to performing in front of a crowd. Asked what they like about the concept of virtual concerts, Katie said: "That you can connect to more people than you would be able to in a live setting. More people can tune in and watch, plus they get to do it from the comfort of their own homes."## Many people are bringing out their inner chef or showing their creative side during this global lockdown.## For these girls, they are really trying to comfort and stay close to their fans. "I think we are more accessible to them right now. It feels like despite everything that's going on, everyone is getting really creative and pushing themselves to go outside of the box. We feel really inspired by it," said McKenna.## They feel they have evolved a lot since their first single, "Stuck", which had released in 2016. After few more singles, they launched their debut album "When My Heart Felt Volcanic" in April 2018.## "We've evolved a lot, we've grown up. We are more sure of ourselves and better know how to say exactly how we feel. It just comes with age," Cristal.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Brad Pitt's awkward experience with make-up artist
2252 days ago
Hollywood

Brad Pitt's awkward experience with make-up artist

Los Angeles, April 10 (IANS) Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt shares a good rapport with his make-up artist, Jean Black.## On the TV show "Celebrity IOU", the actor spoke about his bond with his cosmetic experts and also shared an awkward anecdote he had experienced with Jean.## "She's family, we're like brother and sister. She's been that person I value so much in my life," Brad Pitt said.## The Oscar-winning actor has worked with Jean on over 40 movies, but he admitted: "Legends of the Fall" in 1994 provided their most awkward moment when the make-up artist had to use cosmetics to even out a tan line on Brad's butt, reports femalefirst.co.uk.## He added: "When it comes up, we can't really look at each other in the eye."## Jean Black has taken care of Brad Pitt's make-up in numerous films including "Inglourious Basterds", "Ocean's Thirteen", "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button", "Babel", "Burn After Reading", and "The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford".## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

'Modern Family' spin-off series on the cards?
2252 days ago
Hollywood

'Modern Family' spin-off series on the cards?

Los Angeles, April 9 (IANS) "Modern Family" co-creator Steve Levitan, and Christopher Lloyd say they are considering a spin-off series featuring the gay couple Mitch and Cam.## In the series, Mitch is played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Cam is essayed by Eric Stonestreet. The show concluded its eleventh and final season internationally on Wednesday night. The finale showed Mitchell (Ferguson) and Cameron (Stonestreet) moving to Missouri.## Asked if Mitch and Cam going to Missouri gives a potential spin-off idea, Levitan said: "No. At the moment I'm personally not thinking about that."## "I think that there are a couple of writers who are thinking about well, is there a Mitch and Cam spin-off, but they're literally just thinking about it. They're using this time that we have now to think about it if there's something there," deadline.com quoted Levitan as saying.## "I'm not driving this but I'm a huge fan of Jesse and Eric, and those characters are of course near and dear to me, and I certainly think that they're strong enough to carry a show. For me, I really felt that what I needed creatively was to work on something new after working on 'Modern Family' for 12 years and pretty much exclusively," he said.## To this, Lloyd added: "No. We wanted to have them off on a new journey, and it seemed symmetrical to have Mitchell follow Cam someplace and maybe be around Cam's family because Cam had played that role in Mitchell's life for the last 11 years. Cam had this opportunity to do something wonderful and exciting, Mitchell felt okay, that makes my obligation to let him chase his dream, and I will go with him and see what that life is like for me.## "Now having said that yes, it does present a possibility for us. Will that happen? I'm not sure but we would be probably dumb to not explore it. However, doing a spin-off is fraught in a lot of ways and we won't do it unless we feel confident there's something there, I don't want to say it's a long shot, it's under discussion but we'll see. We don't want to jump into something like that, particularly because Modern Family is a tough act to follow, but that is a possibility," Lloyd continued.## "Modern Family" navigates the life of members of the Pritchett family and won hearts for showing a diverse picture of an American family with themes around a gay couple, adoption, dating, young pregnancy and ethnicity running at its core. It is aired in India on Star World.## Questioned about any other spin-off possibilities, Lloyd said: "I would be thrilled to follow any of those people. I have enjoyed living with those characters for a long time. I would love to see what happens to Phil and Claire in that RV, and I would love to know what Dylan and Haley's life is like as they turn into Phil and Claire, but in some ways, that's what the audience will do. That's the reason that you send people on new journeys because the audience can then almost take over the writing for you and they get to imagine what those new episodes would be."## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Chris Hemsworth has incredible zest to learn: 'Extraction' co-star Priyanshu Painyuli
2252 days ago
Hollywood

Chris Hemsworth has incredible zest to learn: 'Extraction' co-star Priyanshu Painyuli

Mumbai, April 9 (IANS) Chris Hemsworth's upcoming starrer "Extraction" has been shot largely in India and with a talented set of Indian actors in important roles. Among them is "Bhavesh Joshi Superhero" actor Priyanshu Painyuli.## Priyanshu recalls Hemsworth, globally popular for playing the superhero Thor, as someone who is a delight to be around. "When you work with someone like him, you realize the value of being grounded. He is warm and kind as a colleague. He has this incredible zest to learn more and do better, and the fact that the team made me so comfortable that I wanted to give my best," he said.## Talking of his experience of working in such a massive film, Priyanshu says his biggest takeaway from the international project was the sense of discipline about their work culture, adding that he has a "very special role, in a surprise package" in the film produced by the Russo brothers, Anthony and Joe, who directed the blockbusters "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame".## "My biggest takeaway from this was the discipline of it. Everyone was so well-prepared and so thorough with their scenes. The research is so well-rounded that there are zero scopes for errors when the actor is in front of the camera. Everything is already on the storyboard, discussed and vetted, before the scene. I have been able to inculcate a more methodical approach to work," he said.## The Sam Hargrave directorial is a kidnap extraction drama that has Hemsworth playing a black market mercenary hired to rescue the son of an imprisoned international crime lord. The film also features Pankaj Tripathi and Randeep Hooda, besides French-Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani and Hollywood actor David Harbour.## About the film, Priyanshu said: It's a very interesting story. I am playing a very special role, in a surprise package. I am eagerly waiting to see myself, I haven't done anything like this before. I can't wait for people to watch this film. It's an experience I will always cherish."## The film is scheduled to be released on April 24, by Netflix.## Stay tuned...

'Homecoming' Season 2 teases new mystery starring Janelle Monae
2252 days ago
Hollywood

'Homecoming' Season 2 teases new mystery starring Janelle Monae

Los Angeles, April 9 (IANS) After its 2018 debut season starring Julia Roberts, the web series "Homecoming" returns with actress Janelle Monae taking the second season of the show forward, as a new character telling a new mysterious story.## The first official teaser of season two, released by Amazon Prime Video, shows Monae's character waking up in a rowboat in the middle of a lake, calling for help. She has no memory of how she got there or who she is.## The character's "search for identity will lead her into the heart of the Geist Group, the unconventional wellness company behind the Homecoming Initiative," according to the OTT platform.## The second season finds Stephan James reprising his role as Walter Cruz, who is trying to build a new life following the traumas of war and the Homecoming Initiative, when he begins to realise that there's an even more insidious version of the program underway. Hong Chau will also return as Audrey Temple.## Joining the cast for season two are Oscar-winner Chris Cooper as Leonard Geist, the company's eccentric founder; and Emmy-winner Joan Cusack as Francine Bunda, an equally eccentric military woman.## The co-showrunners and executive producers are Eli Horowitz and Micah Bloomberg, who are also the creators of the Gimlet Media podcast upon which the show is based.## All episodes of the second season are directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez, who also serves as executive producer. "Homecoming" is co-produced by Amazon Studios and UCP and executive produced by Julia Roberts through her production company Red Om Films, Sam Esmail through his production company Esmail Corp, Chad Hamilton of Anonymous Content, and Chris Giliberti, Alex Blumberg and Matt Lieber of Gimlet Media.## The second season of "Homecoming" will be out on Amazon Prime Video on May 22.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Adam Sandler, Jimmy Fallon root for social distancing with 'Don't touch grandma' song
2252 days ago
Hollywood

Adam Sandler, Jimmy Fallon root for social distancing with 'Don't touch grandma' song

Los Angeles, April 9 (IANS) Hollywood actor Adam Sandler, and comedian Jimmy Fallon have helped raise awareness of safety regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic with a new song titled "Don't touch grandma".## Sandler virtually appeared on the US late-night talk show host's program, amid the Covid-19 lockdown, to help remind viewers to keep their distance from the elderly during the health disaster, reports aceshowbiz.com.## Fallon and Sandler both strummed along to guitars and sang the number.## Sandler then urged listeners to tell their "grandma": "no touchy, just looky. Don't touch grandma / give her some space / even if your grandma wants to go to second base."## The two then concluded by saying: "you still can smell her grandma smell from six feet away."## The new song comes after Sandler recently performed a number dubbed "The Quarantine Song" on Fallon's online version of "The Tonight Show".## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Katy Perry to name daughter after late grandmother
2252 days ago
Hollywood

Katy Perry to name daughter after late grandmother

Los Angeles, April 9 (IANS) Singer Katy Perry is reportedly planning to name her daughter after her late grandmother Ann Pearl Hudson.## Perry announced last week that she and actor-fiance Orlando Bloom are expecting a little girl together, reports aceshowbiz.com.## Following the death of her grandmother in March, a source has told "The Naughty but Nice Podcast with Rob Shuter" that Perry is planning to honor her late relative with her daughter's moniker -- naming her "Pearl or Hudson or Ann."## "It was Katy's grandmother that made Katy the woman and fighter that she is today. Katy believes that it is no coincidence that as her granny's soul leaves the earth, another soul arrives," the insider explained.## Bloom is already a father to 9-year-old son Flynn, whom he shares with former wife Miranda Kerr.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Late John Prine's wife: Take this virus seriously
2252 days ago
Hollywood

Late John Prine's wife: Take this virus seriously

Los Angeles, April 9 (IANS) Singer-songwriter John Prine's wife has shared an emotional note after his death, urging people to "take this virus seriously".## Prine, who received a Grammy lifetime achievement award this year, passed away on Tuesday due to complications owing to coronavirus. He was 73.## Prine's wife Fiona Whelan issued a statement on Wednesday following the death of her husband. While both he and his wife were afflicted with the illness, she has recovered from it, reports variety.com.## "Our beloved John died yesterday evening Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee," she wrote on her social media accounts, adding: "We have no words to describe the grief our family is experiencing at this time. John contracted COVID-19 and in spite of the incredible skill and care of his medical team at Vanderbilt he could not overcome the damage this virus inflicted on his body."## "I sat with John -- who was deeply sedated -- in the hours before he passed," she continued, "and will be forever grateful for that opportunity".## "My dearest wish is that people of all ages take this virus seriously and follow guidelines set by the CDC. We send our condolences and love to the thousands of other American families who are grieving the loss of loved ones at this time -- and to so many other families across the world. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of love we have received from family, friends, and fans all over the world. John will be so missed but he will continue to comfort us with his words and music and the gifts of kindness, humor, and love he left for all of us to share," she concluded.## Prine was one of the most celebrated songwriters of the past 50 years and continued to tour and record recently. He fought off cancer in the late 1990s and again in the early 2010s.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Rita Wilson on why she fell for Tom Hanks
2253 days ago
Hollywood

Rita Wilson on why she fell for Tom Hanks

Los Angeles, April 8 (IANS) Singer-actress Rita Wilson says she fell in love with her husband, actor Tom Hanks, as she loves "a good storyteller".## During an appearance on "The Kelly Clarkson Show", the 63-year-old talked about what attracted her to her husband, reports foxnews.com.## Clarkson shared that Hanks is quite the chatterbox, which Wilson said was something that made them get along "instantly".## "First of all, I love a good storyteller," she said, adding: "So anybody who could tell a good story, I'm down with that."## Wilson explained that she grew up in a "very vocal" family as they expressed themselves through "food and talking", so Hanks' attitude wasn't unusual for her.## "I love that. He makes me laugh all the time. He's a great storyteller," she said of her husband.## Wilson married Hanks, also 63, in 1988. The two share sons Chet, 29, and Truman, 24. Hanks also has two children from his first marriage: Colin, 41, and Elizabeth, 37.## Wilson also opened up about the two things she would like for Hanks to do if she dies before he does. The actress recalled being diagnosed with breast cancer, which put things in perspective for her, prompting a conversation with her husband.## "I wanted to have these very serious discussions with my husband and I said to him, 'Look if something happens and I should go before you, then I just want you to know that there are a couple of things that I want'," Wilson said.## "One is that I want you to be super sad for a really long time," she joked. Wilson then explained that the second thing she wanted to be a party.## "I wanted to have a celebration and I wanted to have a lot of singing and dancing and people telling stories and to feel like that was being celebrated," she said.## Wilson said that her wish serves as the inspiration for her song "Throw me a party".## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Selena Gomez: US was 'formed by those who came from other countries'
2253 days ago
Hollywood

Selena Gomez: US was 'formed by those who came from other countries'

Los Angeles, April 8 (IANS) Singer Selena Gomez has challenged US President Donald Trump and his administration to do better on the issue of immigration.## Gomez told the April issue of Vogue Arabia that she is shocked by what illegal immigrants have been going through at the US-Mexico border, reports aceshowbiz.com.## Promoting her Netflix series "Living Undocumented", the singer said: "I don't claim to be an expert and I understand that there have to be rules and regulations, but we have to do better than what we are doing. We simply have to."## "I hope we can still offer the American dream. I hope we can still offer people a better life. It's so important to remember our country was formed by those who came from other countries."## Gomez's series launched on Netflix in the US last year.## The singer's ancestors immigrated illegally to the US from Mexico in the mid-1970s on the back of a truck. Her father was born in America.## She said: "My own grandparents are immigrants and made the decision to come to the US. Through their decision, I have ultimately been given the life that I have, and listening to all these stories (in Living Undocumented) made me feel incredibly blessed for the chance I had."## Stay tuned...

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