'American Idol' 2023: Eight Contestants Eliminated Ahead of Top 12

Ben Croll When director Elene Naveriani first read the book upon which “Blackbird Blackbird Blueberry” is based, they immediately recognized a whole community. “It was the story of my mom, the story of my aunt, the story of my neighbor,” Naveriani tells Variety. “I could name so many women around me that they were really going through the same interior kind of struggle, and I found it very important to bring this character to life on screen.” Playing in Directors’ Fortnight, “Blackbird Blackbird Blueberry” follows 48-year-old Etero (Eka Chavleishvili – the filmmaker’s first and only choice for the character) as she discovers her sexuality and enters into her first relationship later in life. In the film’s startling opening sequence, shopkeeper Etero survives a brush with death, returns to her small corner store, and seduces the first man who walks in – having her initial sexual relation on a momentary whim.

BreAnna Bell Authentic Brands Group has launched Authentic Studios, which aims to develop and produce a wide range of film/TV and commercial content from the company’s portfolio. Based in Beverly Hills, Authentic Studios will kick off as the home to Shaquille O’Neal’s Jersey Legends, David Beckham’s Studio 99, Sports Illustrated Studios and Authentic Productions. Authentic Studios plans to mine those companies to develop programming for television, film and streaming platforms; it also will also hit the marketplace to search for additional material to develop and produce, and aims to involved in co-production and financing of third-party original content.

Simon Cowell poked fun at his ever-changing face during a recent episode of Britain’s Got Talent this past Saturday (May 20).During an act in which contestant Tom Crosbie made an art piece of the faces of Albert Einstein and Judge Bruno Tonioli using Rubik’s Cubes, Cowell made a funny remark regarding his own face.“How the hell did you do that?” asked Cowell after the art left all of the judges stunned. “Practice, lots of different faces. It turns out you have a really difficult face to make Rubik Cubes out of,” shared Crosbie.Cowell quickly replied with a laugh: “I’ll change my face…again.”Fans of the show took to twitter to respond to the banter.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic The good news for Niall Horan fans in the U.S. is that he’ll be doing a summer tour of the States in support of his imminent album release. The slightly not-so-good news, for fans who might’ve hoped for more immediate gratification, is that this arena/amphitheater tour will be in summer 2024, kicking off almost a year after the new record comes out. European fans will get a slight head start on the tour, but those dates are waiting until next year, too, with the first night of the international jaunt set for Feb. 21, 2024 in Belfast, UK at the SSE Arena. The North American leg of the worldwide outing will begin May 29, 2024 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. Stops along the way include shows at Madison Square Garden next June 15, the Kia Forum in L.A. on July 27 and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on June 3. The tour is scheduled to conclude July 231, 2024 at the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre.

Megan Thee Stallion has unveiled two new Madame Tussauds wax figures for the Las Vegas and New York locations.On Saturday (May 20), the Houston rapper took to her Instagram to share photos of her posing on a horse next to the figures.Captioning the Instagram post, Megan wrote: “I honestly wanted to kiss myself. Hotties we are officially legendary go see me at @madametussaudsusa.” Check out the series of images below.Megan Thee Stallion poses with her new wax figures at Madame Tussauds: pic.twitter.com/EDTNUM0LDe— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) May 20, 2023Some of Megan’s famous friends commented on the uncanny resemblance the figures have to the ‘Traumazine’ star.

Anna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Donna Summer is to this day considered the Queen of Disco thanks to her chart-topping hits throughout the 1970s, famous for her commanding stage presence, dramatic makeup and voluptuous curls.

said Monday to Extra TV. “I might be posting a lot because I’m gonna be in a castle, for real. This is wild.”Windsor Castle — which is currently the home of Prince William and Kate Middleton — boasts a whopping 1,000 rooms and 484,000 square feet of space and is nearly 1,000 years old.

in a viral Reddit thread after telling contestant Michael Williams that he might be going home following his performance of Selena Gomez’s “Lose You to Love Me.” “You sang ‘Lose You to Love Me,'” said the host. “We might lose you tonight.” The comment sparked an immediate backlash against the TV personality and mogul. “‘We might lose you tonight’ was so nasty omg,” commented one Reddit user.

2023 Daytime Emmy Awards revealed the nominees for two key categories on Tuesday's Entertainment Tonight, including Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host.Among those in the running for the coveted honor are Drew Barrymore, host of, and Kelly Clarkson, host of as well as Sherri Shepherd for her work on Additionally, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest are both nominated for their work on — from which Seacrest just recently departed. Ripa is now hosting, alongside her husband and co-host Mark Consuelos.Tamron Hall is also nominated for her work on her eponymous daytime talk show.ET has also learned the nominees for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress — a category honoring TV's talented soap stars.Three actresses from are recognized in this category, including Sharon Case (for her performance as Sharon Newman), Melissa Claire Egan, who plays Chelsea Lawson, and Michelle Stafford for her role as Phyllis Summers.Finola Hughes is also nominated — for her performance as Anna Devane on — as is Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, who stars as Steffy Forrester on The full list of nominations will be announced on Wednesday. The 2023 Daytime Emmy Awards will be held June 16.

2023 Daytime Emmy Awards revealed the nominees for two key categories on Tuesday's Entertainment Tonight, including Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host.Among those in the running for the coveted honor are Drew Barrymore, host of, and Kelly Clarkson, host of as well as Sherri Shepherd for her work on Additionally, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest are both nominated for their work on — from which Seacrest just recently departed. Ripa is now hosting, alongside her husband and co-host Mark Consuelos.Tamron Hall is also nominated for her work on her eponymous daytime talk show.ET has also learned the nominees for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress — a category honoring TV's talented soap stars.Three actresses from are recognized in this category, including Sharon Case (for her performance as Sharon Newman), Melissa Claire Egan, who plays Chelsea Lawson, and Michelle Stafford for her role as Phyllis Summers.Finola Hughes is also nominated — for her performance as Anna Devane on — as is Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, who stars as Steffy Forrester on The full list of nominations will be announced on Wednesday. The 2023 Daytime Emmy Awards will be held June 16.

Katy Perry and Luke Bryan were criticized by "American Idol" viewers after they chose to encourage people to vote rather than give a contestant feedback after a performance. Instead of responding to We Ani's performance of "Skyfall," Perry and Bryan apparently emphasized that America should be voting for their favorites, which led some viewers to call the judges out for being "rude." "Normally, nothing Katy Perry says bothers me as she's just known for her sense of humor and quips. Bit [sic] her dissing of We Ani? THAT was just rude," one user wrote on Twitter.

A teenage dream come true! Katy Perry couldn’t be more excited to take the stage in front of King Charles III as part of his coronation festivities.

Katy Perry has a very busy schedule. The 38-year-old singer is slated to perform at the concert for King Charles III's coronation on Sunday, May 7 on the grounds of Windsor Castle in England.That same day, Perry will also have to judge the live show of, airing at 8 p.m. ET, leaving many fans to wonder how she'll juggle them both.«You'll just have to tune in and wait and see.

If you’ve been thinking about a style switch up, allow Katy Perry to make a case for the micro fringe.The singer and American Idol judge showed off her new look in a behind the scene photo taken while filming the show. Posting the photo to her Instagram account on Monday, Katy wears a dramatic cut-out metallic green dress floor-length dress, with her dark hair slicked back from her face and styled in a bun on top of her head.

Lionel Richie couldn't be happier for his little girl and her new husband.The judge spoke with ET's Matt Cohen in Hollywood on Monday, after the season's first live show, and the legendary singer opened up about walking daughter Sofia Richie down the aisle this past weekend, in her wedding to Elliot Grainge.«This is [my] baby girl,» a beaming Lionel said of the deep significance of the event. «All I can say to you is, for every dad that's ever been this way or getting ready to experience it, it is a humbling time in your life. Because you're handing one of the loves of your life away.»«But really, I'll tell you a story, I've known Elliot since he was 9,» Lionel explained.

SPOILER ALERT – Do not read ahead if you haven’t watched the latest episode of American Idol!

Katy Perry is in hot water again this American Idol season!

performed a haunting version of Adele’s “Skyfall” and survived elimination, but rather than giving Ani feedback during her time, Perry complained about voting results. “Wé, oh my god,” Perry said. “I’m just so shook right now.

Blushing bride - American model and TV personality - Sofia Richie looked radiant in an elegant white gown as she celebrated her lavish wedding weekend in the French Riviera this weekend.The 24-year-old daughter of legendary music mogul Lionel Richie stepped out with her British fiancé Elliot Grainge on Friday evening during their ultra glamorous trip to say 'I do' in Antibes. It was unclear whether the happy couple were heading off to a fancy rehearsal dinner, or were dressed up for the nuptials, but the loved-up duo were papped locking lips on what is understood to have been their big day.The stylish 24-year-old - and ex of Kardashians star Scott Disick - is marrying beau Elliot at the luxury Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in the South of France, opting for a demure, delicately beaded floor length ensemble for the occasion paired with white stilettos for her Friday night attire.

Twitter user Lynn Blair posted a photo Thursday that shows rows of tampons next to a sign that says: “Let’s celebrate the King’s Coronation.”“Someone in Tesco Kilmarnock remembers the story,” Blair joked in a comment.The Post has reached out to Tesco for comment.The sign is referring to the notorious 1989 exchange between Charles and Queen Consort Camilla Parker Bowles.The pair were engaged in an affair at the time. Charles was married to Princess Diana, from 1981 until their separation in 1992.On the playful phone call, Charles tells Camilla, “I’ll just live inside your trousers or something.

holding a sword and golden rod — also known as the Honors of the Principality of Wales, the regalia associated with the Princes of Wales.The Coronet of Charles, designed by architect and goldsmith Louis Osman, was presented to the late Queen Elizabeth II by the Goldsmith’s Company for the Investiture of Prince Charles after the original crown went missing.The 1969 crown was designed specifically for Charles, and the Prince of Wales insignia is surrounded by 13 diamonds arranged as the constellation of Scorpio, Charles’ astrological sign, according to the Royal Collection Trust.It’s unknown if Prince William, the newly titled Prince of Wales, will alter the coronet since he is a Gemini, not a Scorpio.It’s likely that royal fans can expect to see Prince William wearing the Coronet of Charles at the king’s upcoming coronation — marking the first time the crown will be worn and seen by the public in over 50 years.King Charles’ coronation will take place on May 6, and Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli and Lionel Richie are set to perform at the musical celebration the following day.After much speculation, Buckingham Palace announced earlier this month that Prince Harry will attend his father’s coronation ceremony — without Meghan Markle.“Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the coronation service at Westminster Abbey on May 6,” a spokesperson confirmed.