Amid pandemic, Tennessee Republicans prioritize anti-trans legislation

Here are your morning headlines for Wednesday, March 9.

Owen Gleiberman Chief Film CriticEvery great singer has her own signature, and Dionne Warwick’s, in her defining period in the ’60s and ’70s, was the gorgeous wavery ethereal slowness of her vibrato. It allowed her to hit a note, sustain it with that beautiful wide tremolo, and invest it with a yearning that was pure enough to pierce you.

Mayim Bialik is responding after feeling the wrath of the loyal “Jeopardy!” fanbase over her use of the term “Single Jeopardy!” during game play.

Travis Scott has announced a new organization to “make all events the safest spaces they can possibly be.”

Sydney Sweeney, 24, has a lot to celebrate! Just one week after the stunning Euphoria star became engaged to longtime boyfriend Jonathan Davino, 37, she jetted off to Hawaii to have some fun in the sun with friends! Judging by Sydney’s poolside floral bikini photos that she posted to her Instagram — she seems to be enjoying the well-deserved downtime!

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos might be some of the most solid and compatible couples in the entertainment industry; however, there’s one thing that doesn’t work for the pair; still, they found a way to find a solution.On Monday’s episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan, Consuelos replaced Ryan Seacrest, and alongside his wife, he opened up about how they hold each other’s hands. “We just tried someone thing we never do at home, but for some reason, we tried it backstage: holding hands.

Samuel L. Jackson meets up with Dominique Fishback on the red carpet at the premiere of their new series, The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, held at The Bruin in Los Angeles on Monday night (March 7).

Zac Efron is starring in a new role!

Brandon Armstrong is engaged!

Find out who is coming back to appear in Bel-Air! – Just Jared Jr Prince Harry did something unexpected – Celebitchy These are the real stars of Love Is Blind – Popsugar Find out who’s joining High School Musical the series! – Just Jared Jr

Sutton Foster is opening up about working with Hugh Jackman on The Music Man!

Idina Menzel is among those in the  family who are reacting to video of a little girl in Ukraine flawlessly belting out 's «Let It Go» while hiding in a bomb shelter amid the Russian invasion.Menzel, who played Elsa in Disney's hit animated films, subtweeted the video that has generated more than 15 million views so far on Twitter. In the clip, the little girl's standing and overlooking a throng of Ukrainians under refuge in an effort to avoid a barrage of bombardment that's torn the country apart.The little girl, singing in her native language, has the entire group captivated with her performance, as they belt out «Bravo!» following her performance.

Alicia Keys has been steadily adding accomplishments to her long list of achievements, and recently she's added another one — writing a graphic novel! Named after her iconic single, the coming-of-age tale follows 14-year-old Lolo Wright as she discovers powers she never knew she had. Described by publisher HarperCollins as a story about «finding the strength within when your whole world changes in an instant,»  is co-written by Andrew Weiner and illustrated by Brittney Williams. Sitting down to speak with ET about her recent ventures, Keys shared that the graphic novel had been in the works for «at least five years.»«This has been a long process to get it all together, how we want it and to find the perfect illustrator and to really find the right partnership and finish the whole story,» she explained. «So, it takes time, and, you know it's a blessing obviously, that it's here today and I'm so excited about it.»The «Girl on Fire» singer gushed about the story, sharing that she believes there is «so much» within the novel that anyone can find relatable.

Travis Scott vows to honor the victims of the Astroworld tragedy with a new initiative he's calling Project HEAL.The «Goosebumps» rapper took to Instagram on Tuesday to announce the new project that he says is a multi-tier initiative aimed at addressing challenges facing today's youth when it comes to academic scholarships, mental health resources and event safety.«Over the past few months I've been taking the time and space to grieve, reflect and do my part to heal my community,» Scott captioned in his post announcing the new initiative. «Most importantly, I want to use my resources and platform moving forward towards actionable change. This will be a lifelong journey for me and my family.»The rapper added that he and his team created Project HEAL «to take much needed action towards supporting real solutions that make all events the safest spaces they can possibly be.» He also said, «I will always honor the victims of the Astroworld tragedy who remain in my heart forever.»A post shared by flame (@travisscott)Project HEAL will work in conjunction with Scott's other non-profit, Cactus Jack Foundation, and provides academic scholarships, free mental health resources, a creative design center and a «first-ever tech-driven solution for event safety.» The initiative comes just over three months after mayhem unfolded at Scott's Astroworld concert last November in Houston, where 10 people died in what officials described as a «chaotic event.»About a month after the Astroworld tragedy, Scott spoke out for the first time and, in an hour-long interview, denied hearing any signs of distress from the crowd while he was performing.«It’s so crazy because I’m that artist too.

is filmmaker Erin Lee Carr’s latest, must-see true-crime documentary. The two-part, HBO series chronicles the events leading up to the 2017 submarine murder of accomplished journalist Kim Wall, whose body was dismembered and left at sea by eccentric entrepreneur Peter Madsen. One person involved in the investigation of the case to unexpectedly emerge as the series’ most fascinating personality is Royal Denmark Navy Lt.

Sean Gamble, CEO of No. 3 exhibitor Cinemark, envisions more than just superhero fare saving the day for the theater business as it emerges from the darkest days of Covid.

The U.S. government wants a word with Barry Diller, David Geffen and a third man involving the planned $68.7 billion merger of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard.

In light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, sources tell Deadline that WME will not be hosting its agency’s Oscar party this year, and instead will be donating $1 million  to UNICEF to support families in Ukraine and other areas displaced by war.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorThe eighth annual Variety Artisans Awards returned to an in-person event at Santa Barbara’s Arlington Theater.Despite COVID protocols, an enthusiastic crowd of movie lovers, local Academy members and students from the nearby University of Santa Barbara came by to see Oscar-nominated artisans share their craft, their process and the films that influenced them.The night began with one on one conversations with each artisan discussing insight into their work.The full panel of honorees included “House of Gucci” hair and make up team Frederic Aspiras and Göran Lundstrom, “Nightmare Alley” production designer Tamara Deverell, “Encanto” composer Germaine Franco, “Dune” cinematographer Greig Fraser, “Encanto” songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, re-recording mixer, Paul Massey, nominated for “No Time to Die,” VFX supervisor Kelly Port, “The Power of the Dog” editor Peter Sciberra and “Dune” costume designers Jacqueline West and Bob Morgan.Watch the conversation highlights below.

Naman Ramachandran Global entertainment studio International Art Machine is venturing into India with a heavyweight slate fronted by A-listers Shekhar Kapur, Preity Zinta, Amish Tripathi, Dibakar Banerjee and Suparn S. Varma.First up is “Shiva,” a series adaptation of Amish Tripathi’s bestselling Shiva Trilogy novels set in the land of Meluha, beginning with the first book “The Immortals of Meluha,” which will be directed by “Elizabeth” and “Bandit Queen” filmmaker Shekhar Kapur.

Peta Murgatroyd is giving an update on her fundraiser for Ukraine.

What in the hell is wrong with some people?!

This is beyond horrific.

Courteney Cox and her co-stars appeared in 236 episode of “Friends”, although she’s admitting she doesn’t remember a lot of them.

Aaron Rodgers and Shailene Woodley were spotted together exiting a private plane amid the Green Bay Packers quarterback's recent contract news.  Rodgers and Woodley, who were previously engaged and rumored to have broken up, were photographed in Palm Beach on Monday. However, the two only stayed for a few hours. The pair was dressed casually with Woodley wearing a black sweatshirt paired with dark jeans and sunglasses.

Jessica Alba‘s daughters are all grown up! The 40-year-old Fantastic Four star took to Instagram on March 8 in celebration of International Women’s Day as she shared a beautiful snapshot sitting alongside her two lookalike daughters — Honor, 13, and Haven, 10.

Amy Schumer comes the new, deeply personal dramedy series , which marks Schumer’s return to scripted television, nearly six years since  last aired. On top of starring alongside Michael Cera, Schumer also directs, produces and writes . The show follows the titular Beth, who, despite having an impressive-on-paper life, feels deeply dissatisfied actually it.

Cameron Diaz is sharing her unconventional beauty routine.

Angelique Jackson As Samuel L. Jackson took the microphone to introduce the screening of “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey,” the acting icon reflected on the 12-year journey to get the limited series made.“This was a project that’s been eating me up for 10-12 years, and I’ve been chasing it and running it to different places trying to get it done,” Jackson told the crowd inside the Regency Bruin Theatre in Westwood.

granted a waiver by the U.S. Navy last month.Representatives of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders and the National Center for Lesbian Rights filed a voluntary dismissal of their complaint in the Doe v.

Iyanna Dior was attacked in St. Paul, Minn., and the incident was caught on camera. (Photo via Facebook)

Tony McDade – Photo: Facebook.