Entertainment Shorts

#MeToo movement 'distored' by Hollywood - founder

The #MeToo movement has been "distorted" by Hollywood, according to its founder Tarana Burke.

The activist explained how the movement had been founded in 2006 to empower women from black communities who had endured sexual assault before developing into a hashtag used in response to accusations of abuse in Hollywood and the rest of the world.

Burke regrets that people have failed to understand the true purpose of the movement.

Speaking to Small Axe director Sir Steve McQueen at a Guardian Live event, Tarana said, "I've seen what Hollywood does, I've seen what white people do quite frankly when they get a hold of black work or work by people of colour."

Burke, 48, sympathised with the Hollywood stars who came forward but was annoyed that the victims had been forgotten.

She said: "I don't think the woman that came forward necessarily had ... malicious intent. It's really about survivors and surviving."

Burke was unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight after actress Alyssa Milano encouraged social media followers to tweet #MeToo to signal past sexual harassment or assault when the sexual abuse allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein came to light in 2017 and admits that she could never imagine the movement going global.

She said: "I could never envision when this all began that a global movement would happen. That people would take to the streets. I didn't think people cared enough."

Burke — who was a victim of sexual assault as a child — admits that it is vital that the "narrative" of the movement does not change.

She said, "It's important that we don't let other people affect the narrative or co-opt the movement."

Ed Sheeran cleared to perform following COVID-19 isolation

Ed Sheeran has been cleared to perform after completing his COVID-19 isolation.

The Bad Habits hitmaker tested positive for the virus last month, and he revealed that he has been given the all-clear as he prepares to perform on Saturday Night Live this weekend.

Alongside a shot of him performing live, Ed wrote on Instagram: Posting this pic to say I'm released from COVID isolation today, so if you see me out, and about I've had the all-clear and done my quarantine. Excited to hit the ground running with work again, and SNL is still on, so tune in Saturday, see you there x (sic)."

Last week, Ed revealed that he and his 14-month-old daughter, Lyra, were self-isolating together as she had also contracted the virus, while his wife, Cherry, was negative.

He said: "I'm self-isolating with my daughter. I have been alone with her, without my wife, since we are both positive. I am now going to spend 10 days alone with her."

And the 30-year-old star admitted that there is a positive side to the situation because it isn't often that he gets to spend so much quality time with his little girl.

He added: "Sometimes I am away and spend just two days a week with her, so being able to be with her for 10 straight days is great. I just spoke to Cherry and told her to relax, take long baths! Our fridge is full, and we are just eating all the time."

Ed previously revealed that he felt "useless" after his wife gave birth to their daughter because she was breastfeeding, so he felt there was little he could do for them other than taking on household chores and changing the baby.

He explained: "When Lyra was born, I've never felt more useless as a man. Even in the hospital, it's all out of your hands. So when Cherry was breastfeeding, I was like, 'Well, what can I do?' And the thing men can do is just do all the nappies and cooking, so that's what I did. I grew to enjoy it. It's the one thing that made me feel needed in a situation where I otherwise didn't really feel needed — so I became an expert nappy changer. Cherry jokes that she's changed like three, but I'm proud of that. It's the one thing I can do, but she does literally everything else."

Cardi B 'so proud' after purchasing new home in New York

Cardi B is "so proud" of herself after purchasing a new home in New York.

The I Like It hitmaker has ticked buying a property in her home city off her bucket list after adding the lavish abode to the Atlanta and Los Angeles pads she shares with her husband Offset and their three-year-old daughter, Kulture, and baby boy born on September 6, whose name hasn't been disclosed.

The 29-year-old rap megastar explained that she wanted her kids to feel "comfortable everywhere they are regardless of work", while she offered to give her 113 million followers a "mini-tour" of the pad.

Cardi captioned an Instagram snap of her standing in front of the crib's stunning spiral staircase: "These days I don't just live one place, I'm everywhere due to my work. One thing for sure - I needed a home in my home city of NY! I'm soo proud of myself. I work so hard for my children to be comfortable everywhere they are regardless of work. Me and my husband have always dreamed of having a crib in NY, and we have decided to add to our portfolio of homes, along with Atlanta and LA. Now having a home in NY, I can have get-togethers with my family all the time!! I have accomplished so many things, yet I still feel far from all the goals I want to accomplish. This is one dream I can cross off … Let me know if ya'll want a mini-tour! (sic)."

The WAP hitmaker showing off her new home comes after she was confirmed as the host of the 2021 American Music Awards (AMAs).

The hip-hop star is "so excited" to be taking the reins at Los Angeles' Microsoft Theatre on November 21, and producers think her "infectious energy" and willingness to "push the limits" is just what the annual awards show needs.

Cardi said in a statement: "When I received the invite to host the AMAs, I was so excited. I'm ready to bring my personality to the AMAs stage! Thank you to Jesse Collins, ABC, and MRC for making this happen."

Showrunner and executive producer Jesse Collins added: "We are immensely excited to have the dynamic Cardi B bring her infectious energy to the American Music Awards as a first-time host. She will excite the viewers, push the limits, and deliver a show that will be remembered forever!"

Cardi - who has won five AMAs in the past - is nominated for three awards this year, Favourite Female Hip-Hop Artistes, and Favourite Music Video and Hip-Hop Song for Up.

Cardi will be looking to break her own record as last year, she became the first female rapper to take home Favourite Hip-Hop Song twice when she took the honour for WAP with Megan Thee Stallion, having previously scooped the prize in 2018 for her breakthrough single Bodak Yellow.