Eric Clapton won't play venues that require proof of vaccination amid rules in U.K. for clubgoers

K.J. Yossman The European Broadcasting Union, who organize the Eurovision Song Contest, have barred Russia from participating this year.In a statement, the EBU said:“The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced that no Russian act will participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.The Executive Board of the EBU made the decision following a recommendation earlier today by the Eurovision Song Contest’s governing body, the Reference Group, based on the rules of the event and the values of the EBU.The Reference Group recommendation was also supported by the EBU’s Television Committee.The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s Contest would bring the competition into disrepute.

Michael Appler On Wednesday evening in New York City, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer offered its return to the original movie musical with “Cyrano,” director Joe Wright’s musical adaptation of “Cyrano de Bergerac,” starring Peter Dinklage and Haley Bennett.At the New York City premiere, held at the SVA Theater, cast and studio executives reflected on the film’s unusual journey from an off-Broadway musical to a $30 million MGM feature film.“The whole reason I set out to do this project was because I really, really wanted to be on Broadway,” Bennett, who plays the leading role of Roxanne, told Variety at the premiere. “We started out in this tiny room six or seven years ago, and in my imagination, we might have ended up on a Broadway stage together.

Leo Barraclough International Features EditorBerlinale Competition title “Return to Dust,” written and directed by China’s Li Ruijun, has been sold to Modern Films for U.K. and Ireland, and BTeam Pictures for Spain.

Todd Gilchrist The NAACP Image Awards ceremony celebrates its 53rd year on February 26, commemorating more achievements by people of color than ever before: in addition to its multiple Outstanding Motion Picture, Television, Recording and Literary awards, the organization selected Nikole Hannah-Jones as its second-ever Social Justice Impact Award recipient, and has also added five new categories recognizing podcasts and social media.  After last year’s ceremony, which like many other awards shows was held remotely due to the pandemic, the prospect of packing a live stage with honorees while Anthony Anderson hosts for his eighth time felt like an exciting, overdue balm — not just for the show’s audience, but for Karen Boykin-Towns, Vice Chair of NAACP’s Board of Directors. But the latest and most aggressive strain of the Covid-19 virus led to the sensible decision to not endanger the lives of the people that made some of the most inspiring accomplishments of the last year, and instead to try and capitalize on the discoveries made both during the weeks and months of quarantining as well as in the adjustments implemented during the 2021 Image Awards that seemed to resonate most strongly with the community that they were conceived in order to honor.  “I think like most, we thought that in 2022 we would be back in person at the Dolby but that’s not where we are,” Boykin-Towns tells Variety.

Jenelle Riley Deputy Awards, Features EditorHelen Mirren is the perfect choice for the SAG Life Achievement Award, that rare performer respected and awarded for their work but also beloved by audiences. Able to effortlessly move between Shakespeare and Hollywood spectacle, Mirren joined the “Fast & Furious” franchise with 2017’s “The Fate of the Furious.” Fans loved that she was perfectly cast as the mother of Jason Statham’s Deckard and Luke Evans’ Owen. She’s set to reprise the role in the final two “Fast” films, but that’s only part of her busy schedule.The SAG Life Achievement Award, which will be presented to her by Kate Winslet, is an honor previously bestowed on the likes of Robert De Niro, Sidney Poitier and Rita Moreno.

EXCLUSIVE: Police officer turned video game writer and technical director Morley Nelson (MIB: Alien Crisis, The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct) is currently in production in Minnesota on Uncontained, a horror-thriller that he is directing from his original screenplay.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are speaking out about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On Thursday, the couple released a brief statement on their Archewell Foundation website, titled: «We stand with the people of Ukraine.»«Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and all of us at Archewell stand with the people of Ukraine against this breach of international and humanitarian law and encourage the global community and its leaders to do the same,» reads the statement.The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are able to make such a declaration after officially stepping down from their roles as working members of the royal family last year. Royals usually do not comment on current events or politics, and no other member of the British royal family has publicly reacted to the situation in Ukraine and Russia.

The Talk co-host Amanda Kloots, who lost her husband Nick Cordero to Covid in 2020, has revealed she has tested positive for the virus.

“Like many of you, I’m praying for the people in Ukraine,” wrote Angelina Jolie at the start of the statement she posted to Instagram on Thursday (Feb. 24). Angelina, 46, said that as a Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, her focus “along with my UNHCR colleagues is that everything possible is [being] done to ensure the protection and basic human rights of those displaced, and refugees in the region. We have already seen reports of casualties and people starting to flee their homes to seek safety.”

An Asian-American dancer en route to a first-performance celebration at New York’s Public Theater was attacked Wednesday night in what theater officials describe as the latest “disgusting and heartbreaking”  incident “in a long history of violence against Asian Americans.”

EXCLUSIVE: Production has begun this week in Natchez, MS, on supernatural horror From Black, starring Pitch Perfect and True Blood actress Anna Camp.

A taxi driver plied two girls with alcohol and drugs then raped them in a terrifying campaign of abuse.

Eric Clapton has said he will not perform at any venues that require attendees to prove that they have received their full vaccination from the coronavirus.  The musician and outspoken vaccine skeptic issued a statement that was highly critical of U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that vaccine passes would be required to enter nightclubs and other live performance venues in light of increasing coronavirus cases.

contentious hot takes on coronavirus “propaganda,” has announced that he will refuse to perform in any venues which require guests to have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The “Wonderful Tonight” singer made the announcement in response to a recent proclamation by British lawmakers, calling for all citizens to present proof of vaccination before entering crowded events.

ERIC Clapton won't play shows where the attendees are required to prove they've been vaccinated against Covid. The guitarist, 76, made the announcement after previously revealing his "disastrous" reaction to getting two vaccinations.

showbiz gossip straight to your inbox with the Daily Star's FREE newsletterEric Clapton fans won’t be happy to learn that his UK tour is in jeopardy after he expressed fury at the idea of vaccine passports.The 76-year-old musician has said he will not perform at any venue requiring attendees to be vaccinated as a condition of entry, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday that proof of vaccines would be needed to enter nightclubs and other crowded venues.Shared via the Telegram account of film producer Robin Monotti - who has also expressed doubt over the vaccine - Eric released a statement for fans.It read: "Following the PM’s announcement on Monday, July 19, 2021 I feel honour-bound to make an announcement of my own."I wish

Eric Clapton has said he will not perform concerts that require proof of vaccination.The veteran rocker has been publicly vocal about his opposition to lockdown restrictions and vaccinations in recent months and last December he teamed up with fellow sceptic Van Morrison for the track ‘Stand and Deliver’, one of many anti-lockdown songs Morrison recorded and which were met with significant backlash.Following the government’s lifting of restrictions on Monday (July 19), Clapton said in a statement posted on anti-vaxxer Robin Monotti Graziadei’s Telegram account: “Following the PM’s announcement on Monday the 19th of July 2021, I feel honour bound to make an announcement of my own: I wish to say that I will not perform on any stage where

Eric Clapton is taking a stand.

As live music comes roaring back, with most large venues now requiring proof of vaccination in order to attend, legendary guitarist Eric Clapton is clapping back.

Eric Clapton says he reserves “the right” to cancel performances at venues where proof of Covid vaccination is required of audience members, a largely hypothetical stance that nonetheless puts the guitarist’s anti-vax sentiments on full display.

Ethan Shanfeld Eric Clapton will not perform at venues that require proof of vaccination.“Following the PM’s announcement on Monday the 19th of July 2021, I feel honour bound to make an announcement of my own: I wish to say that I will not perform on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present. Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show,” Clapton said via statement posted onto architect, film producer and anti-vaxxer Robin Monotti Graziadei’s Telegram account.The news follows U.K.