Rock Singer Scott Weiland Dies in His Sleep at 48

Rock sensation Scott Weiland, who was best known for being the lead singer of the Stone Temple Pilots, died last night in his sleep. The sad news was announced on his Facebook page. According to the post, Weiland was on a tour bus in Bloomington, Minnesota, with his band The Wildabouts when he passed. The post asked that "the privacy of Scott's family be respected."

A native of California, he was born Scott Kline on October 27, 1967. His parents divorced when he was two and was adopted by his step-father when he was five, changing his last name to Weiland. 

Along with brothers Dean De Leo and Robert, Weiland formed the band Stone Temple Pilots and achieved a lot of success. In 1992, the band's debut album Core sold over eight million copies. The album ranked at No. 3 on Billboard's 200 in 1993 and in 1994 their album Purple was No. 1. The band also won a Grammy in 1994 as well. The band broke up in 2002. 

Weiland got together with former members of Guns N' Roses Duff McKagan, Slash and Matt Sorum to form Velvet Revolvers. The band was successful as well. They released two albums, earned two gold-selling singles with "Fall to Pieces" and "Slither" and also won a Grammy for "Slither." However, Weiland left in 2008 and rejoined STP. 

Although he was a prominent singer, Weiland battled drug addiction, mainly with heroin and had several run ins with the law. In 1995, he was put on probation after being convicted of buying crack cocaine. He was arrested for D.U.I. in 2003 and 2007. 

In 2010, STP released their album Stone Temple Pilots. They fired Weiland in 2013, replacing him with Chester Bennington from Lincoln Park. Weiland put out four solo albums in between bands. His last band, The Wildabouts, released Blaster earlier this year. 

Weiland died at the age of 48. He leaves behind his two kids, Lucy and Noah from his second marriage and his wife Jamie Wachtel whom he married in 2013. 

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Mark Zuckerberg Commits to Donating 99 Percent of Facebook Shares to Charity

Who knew that becoming a parent could put someone in a charitable spirit.

Mark Zuckerberg announced the birth of his daughter on Tuesday, December 1 via Facebook in an open letter to her. His wife gave birth to the new addition to their family, Max, who weighed in at seven pounds and eight ounces.
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In the letter, he wrote how much disease has affected society and his hope to change that would be to advance human potential and promote equality.

"Advancing human potential is about pushing the boundaries on how great a human life can be," he said. "Promoting equality is about making sure everyone has access to these opportunities- regardless of the nation, families or circumstances they are born into."

Zuckerberg said that he and his wife, Dr. Priscilla Chan, will commit to donating 99 percent of their Facebook shares, valued at over $45 billion, throughout their lives. They are creating the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative where the "initial areas of focus will be personalized learning, curing disease, connecting people and building strong communities."

The Facebook co-founder said that they will share more details in the coming months after they return from their maternity and paternity leaves.


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Kobe Bryant Announces Retirement In "Dear Basketball"

After years of dedication to the game, this season will be his last.

NBA player Kobe Bryant is retiring from basketball after the end of this season. The announcement was made on Sunday, November 29 in a poem titled "Dear Basketball" posted on Player's Tribune.

This season is all I have left to give.

My heart can take the pounding

My mind can handle the grind.

But my body knows it's time to say goodbye.

The news is only a confirmation to what Bryant, 37, has said many times in the past weeks that his 20th season could be his last. The Los Angeles Lakers player has had a very lucrative career. NBA commissioner Adam Silver made a statement regarding the athlete's success.

"With 17 NBA All-Star selections, an NBA MVP, five NBA championships with the Lakers, two Olympic gold medals and a relentless work ethic, Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in the history of our game. Whether competing in the finals or hoisting jump shots after midnight in an empty gym, Kobe has an unconditional love for the game."


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Mary-Kate Olsen Marries Olivier Sarkozy in Private Ceremony

First comes love and then comes marriage.

After saying "I do," one of America's favorite twins has started a new chapter in life. Mary-Kate Olsen married beau Olivier Sarkozy. The newly-weds got married on Friday, November 27, in an outdoor garden at a private residence in Manhattan, NY.

The two started dating in 2012 and were engaged in February 2014. They have always been tight-lipped when it comes to their relationship, so there's no surprise that they had a private wedding.

There were 50 guests in attendance and according to People, all were required to turn in their phones before entering the ceremony.

Despite their 17-year age gap, Mary-Kate, 29 and Olivier, 46, the two seem to make it work. This is the first marriage for MK and the second for Olivier. He has two children from his previous marriage.


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Justin Bieber Breaks The Beatles Long Standing Billboard Record

Breaking hearts and records one album at a time.

With his new album 'Purpose.' Justin Bieber has broken The Beatles' 51 year-old record of having the most songs in a week on Billboard's Hot 100.

 The Beatles had the most when they got 14 songs in a week on April 11, 1964. Their songs "Can't Buy Me Love" and "Twist and Shout" were the top two songs on the chart. Drake recently matched their record twice this year in March and October with albums If You're Reading This It's Too Late and What a Time to Be Alive with rapper Future.

Bieber, 21, broke the record with 17 songs in a week on Billboard's Dec. 5 Hot 100, which is the most that any artist has ever done. The singer's album is also No. 1 on Billboard's Dec. 5 200 Chart. This is the sixth time that he has had an album at number 1 on Billboard's chart.

All but one song on the album made the Hot 100 chart. Here is the list below:

No. 2, "Sorry" (up from No. 3)
No. 4, "Love Yourself" (New)
No. 5, "What Do You Mean?" (up from No. 6)
No. 19, "I'll Show You" (up from No. 27)
No. 31, "The Feeling," featuring Halsey
No. 34, "Where Are U Now" (Skrillex & Diplo with Bieber) (up from No. 49)
No. 42, "Mark My Words" (New)
No. 43, "Purpose" (New)
No. 49, "No Pressure," featuring Big Sean (New)
No. 53, "Company" (New)
No. 54, "No Sense," featuring Travi$ Scot (New)
No. 67, "Life Is Worth Living" (New)
No. 74, "Children" (New)
No. 81, "Been You" (New)
No. 88, "We Are," featuring Nas (New)
No. 90, "Get Used to Me" (New)
No. 98, "Trust" (New)

Even though their record has been broken, according to Billboard, The Beatles "locked up the top five" of the Hot 100 chart in April 1964, which no other artist has still been able to do.


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Samuel Sarpong Jr., Former MTV Co-host, Dies at 40

Another star lost to suicide. 

Samuel Sarpong Jr. who co-hosted MTV's hit show Yo Momma, died on Monday, October 26 after jumping off a bridge in Pasadena, California. His family and police officers spent seven hours trying to talk him down with no such luck.

Sarpong's rep gave a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on the tragedy.

"It is with great sadness that the family of Samuel Sarpong, Jr. must share the news that Sam has passed away. The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation and no additional details are known at this time. Information about final arrangements will be forthcoming. The family appreciates the thoughts, prayers and other expressions of sympathy, and request their privacy be respected at this extremely difficult time."

Police officers arrived to the scene after a witness reported seeing a man standing on the outside of the railing of the Colorado Street Bridge. He was declared dead at 3:52 p.m. by Pasadena Fire Paramedics.

Born in London, he moved to the U.S. as a child with his father. Sarpong was talented. Not only did he entertain viewers on Yo Momma, he was also the face for Tommy Hilfiger for several years. Other top designers he modeled for were Versace and Dolce & Gabana.

He also did some acting, featuring on films such as Love Don't Cost A Thing and Carmen: A Hip Hop Opera and shows like 24. We will get to see him act again next year in a small role on FX's upcoming series American Crime Story, 

Sarpong leaves behind his father, Samuel Sarpong Sr., and his sister, June Sarpong.

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Serena Williams Loses Grand Slam Bid After Losing to Roberta Vinci in US Open

It's a sad day in tennis.

Serena Williams lost to Roberta Vinci at the US Open semifinals on Friday, September 11. This was Vinci's first Grand Slam semifinal and she won against Williams 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Williams came close to Steffi Graf who was the last person to win all four major single titles in the same year in 1988 at the age of 19.

Williams won the first three major titles this year and will not be competing in the calendar slam. Outstanding as it is, she is only the second player to do this. The first player was Martina Navratilova when she lost to Helena Sukova at the Australia Open in 1984.

However, fans don't blame the tennis champion for the loss. They took to Twitter to point fingers at her rumored love interest rapper Drake. Some said that the "Charged Up" rapper had jinxed her and was her bad luck charm. One Twitter user took it a step further by calling him "the Jessica Simpson to Serena's Tony Romo."

Since Flavia Pennetta defeated Simona Halep earlier in the day, the Grand Slam will have it's first all-Italian women final in history.

Although she won't be in the calendar Grand Slam this year, the 33 year-old tennis player should still be proud. Williams won 33 matches straight in the Grand Slam. According to ESPN, that was the third-longest streak by any woman in the Open era.


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Jessica Alba's Honest Company Hit with $5 Million Lawsuit for Alleged False Labeling

Well someone wants to put the prefix "dis" in front of Jessica Alba's company Honest.

A customer is suing the company for $5 million for marketing its items as all "natural." The plaintiff, Jonathan D. Rubin,  has alleged that products, such as diapers, hand soaps. dish soaps and the multi-surface cleaner, are being labeled as having only natural ingredients, but really contain synthetic materials.

The sixth bulletin in the court document says, "Honest's conduct harms consumers by inducing them to purchase and consume the products on false premise that they are natural and effective, when in fact four of the five products contain ingredients that are not natural, and one of the five products is ineffective."

 The ineffective product that the document is referring to is Honest's Sunscreen Lotion. This summer, customers shared photos on social media of sunburns they received, claiming the sunscreen lotion didn't work. The company defended itself in a statement to Us Weekly, giving test results that said the product "is effective and safe for use as an 80 minute water-resistant SPF 30 sunscreen lotion."

In response to the lawsuit, Alba said that, "The allegations against us are baseless and without merit. We strongly stand behind our products and the responsibility we have to our consumers."

Alba, 34, started the company because she had trouble finding products with natural ingredients to use for her first daughter, Honor. "I started The Honest Company to develop safe and effective products not just for my children, but for families everywhere."

According to CNN Money, the lawsuit was filed in court this week in California. Rubin's attorney, Nicholas Carlsin, said that he would ask a judge to certify the suit as a class action, meaning another other customers can participate in the suit as well.


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Janet Jackson is Back With New Song "No Sleeep"

No sleeep, with an extra ''e' required.

Janet Jackson has returned with a new single called "No Sleeep." The singer shared the sultry song via Twitter on Monday, June 22, which she dedicated to her "love," husband Wissam Al Mana.  She tweeted a few hours later saying, "Hey guys, I hope u enjoy this as much as we enjoyed creating it for u." This is the first full-length song released from her new album, which has yet to be titled.

This is her first song in seven years since her last studio album Discipline released in 2008. The laid-back single was produced by collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Jam and Lewis produced all, but one track on Jackson's 1989 Rhythm Nation album.

Click on the video below to listen to the song.

The legendary singer will be going on tour this fall starting on Monday, August 31 in Vancouver, BC. There have been 36 dates announced so far, but more to come at a later date.


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Raven-Symone Becomes New Co-host on The View

Temporary positions can become permanent jobs if you 'view' it that way.

Actress Raven-Symone is officially a co-host on ABC's The View. After being a guest co-host a total of 37 times, it seems that she has earned a permanent spot on the show.

The good news was announced on the show Wednesday, June 10 by moderator Whoopi Goldberg. She joins Goldberg, Nicole Wallace and Rosie Perez on the show.

Symone, 29, is very happy and feels that her new position will be a 'wonderful growing experience' for her. "The cast and crew are warm and welcoming and have made the transition into daytime talk easier. I have a lot to learn within this new arena, but being the apprentice of these spectacular women will only make me a better person and talk show host."

She is best known for her roles as Olivia on the The Cosby Show, The Cheetah Girls, and Raven Baxter on That's So Raven. In her long career as an actress, she has appeared and acted in over twenty movies and television shows and has also voiced over a few animated films and shows.

"The Disney Company has made another one of my dreams come true!"


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Ariana Grande: "Having Something To Say Is Not the Same as Having a Bad Attitude"

Ariana Grande doesn't belong to anyone, but Ariana Grande.

The 21 year-old songstress posted an essay via Twitter yesterday talking about her career, double standards, and her ex beau Big Sean. The essay starts off with "being 'empowered'... is not the same as being a 'bitch'..."

The singer doesn't want to be referred to as 'Big Sean's ex.' "I am tired of living in a world where women are mostly referred to as a man's past, present or future PROPERTY/POSSESSION. I... do not. belong. to anyone. but myself. and neither do you."

Since her break up with Big Sean in April, she has been having a good time on tour, working her "ass off every single day", and getting the chance to meet and hug her fans.

She's also content with being single. "I have never felt more present, grounded, and satisfied."

When it comes to double standards and misogyny, she said that she "can't wait to live in a world where people are not valued by who they're dating/ married to/ attached to/ having sex with (or not)/ seen with... but by they're value as an individual."

She ended the essay with a quote by Gloria Steinem.

"Any woman who chooses to behave like a full human being should be warned that armies of the status quo will treat her as something of a dirty joke... She will need her sisterhood."


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Iggy Azalea and Nick Young are Engaged

First thing's first, she got a ring!

Rapper Iggy Azalea is engaged to beau Nick Young. The NBA star proposed to Iggy at his 30th birthday party last night. The beautiful moment was captured on video by Karen Civil who shared on Twitter and Instagram.

The couple started dating in late 2013 and have a home together in Tarzana in Los Angeles, California.

Some stars have popped the question on their significant other's birthday (Kim and Kanye, Ciara and Future), but this is the first I've seen where a guy proposes to his girl on his own birthday.


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Los Angeles Times

Kanye West Furious Over Censorship During His Performance at BMAs

Closing performance to music awards or plain fireworks?

Kanye West closed the Billboard Music Awards this Sunday, May 17 with a performance of "Black Skinhead" and "All Day." The problem with the performance was that you could barely hear him.

 The rapper was not happy about the censorship during his performance and a statement was released on Tuesday through his publicist on the "ridiculous" incident.

"Kanye West was grossly over-censored at the Billboard Music Awards. Non-profane lyrics such as 'with my leather black jeans on' were muted for over 30 seconds intervals. As a result, his voice and performance were seriously misrepresented."

The statement continued saying, "It is ridiculous that in 2015, unwarranted censorship is something that artists still have to fight against. Although west was clearly set up to face elements beyond his control during the live broadcast, he would like to apologize to the television audience who were unable to enjoy the performance the way he envisioned."

These two memes posted on social media sum up how viewers at home felt about the performance.

According to Billboard, ABC and show producer Dick Clark Productions both had no comment on West's statement.

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Former NFL Linebacker Dies at 25

Adrian Robinson, a former NFL lineman passed away on Saturday, May 16 at the age of 25. The Symmetry agency announced the unfortunate news via Facebook.

"Adrian was a beloved father, son, brother, friend and teammate. We ask that you please respect his family's privacy during this difficult time, and especially keep his daughter Avery Marie in your prayers. Thank you for all of your support and consideration."

 

Robinson, who was a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was a star player at Temple University. He played in every game in all four seasons. During his sophomore season in 2009, he was honored as the Mid-American Conference defensive player of the year.

 

The Temple athletic director, Kevin Clark, released a statement about the former football player.

 

"The entire Temple University community is mourning the tragic passing of one of our former all-time great football players, Adrian Robinson. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this incredibly tough time."

 

In his two years in the NFL, he played for Pittsburgh Steelers (12 games), Denver Broncos (six games), and the San Diego Chargers (two games). He recently signed with the Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger-Cats as a free agent on April 27.

 

Details on cause of death have yet to be released.

 

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Mexican Wrestler Dies From Fatal Injury in the Ring

This wasn't scripted.

Mexican wrestler Pedro Aguayo Ramirez took a fatal blow in the ring that ended his life during a live match last night in Tijuana, Mexico.

He was known as El Hijo Del Perro Aguayo, the son of Pedro "Perro" Agauyo who was a wrestling legend in the country from the 1970s to 1990s.

Aguayo was in a team match-up with Manik against Xtreme Tiger and former WWE wrestling star Oscar Gutierrez, known as Rey Mysterio Jr.

In the video, it appears that Gutierrez, 40, kicks Aguayo in the neck, causing him to fall onto the ropes. Manik hangs on the ropes with his partner and ducks as Gutierrez does his famous 6-1-9 move through the ropes.

Aguayo doesn't move.

He is put on a stretcher and rushed to a hospital a block away where he was pronounced dead early in the morning Saturday, March 21. He died at the age 35.

According to BBC News, the state prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into possible manslaughter.



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Jermaine Dupri Claims Ciara's "I Bet" is a Rip Off of Usher's "U Got it Bad"

I mean we've all had it bad at one point… right?

Jermaine Dupri did an interview with Associated Press about the "Blurred Lines" verdict. He commented on the case, saying he was "50/50" about it since he understands both sides. Then he opened up about possibly having the same problem.

"Ciara's new single is a complete rip-off of Usher's 'U Got It Bad.'" Ciara recently came out with a new single called "I Bet." The 42 year-old producer feels the song is too similar to the 2001track that he co produced with Bryan-Micheal Cox. The single was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

"I'm clear on what I made and I'm clear on how music influences people and I'm clear on chord changes and how people move things… It might not be as evident as the "Blurred Lines" situation, but I believe the same thing happened to me."

Dupri said he, Usher and Cox immediately noticed similarities between the two songs. He's also saying that the song sounds like Tamia's "Still," which is another song that he has produced. The producer says he will be in touch with Ciara and feels that credit should go where it's due.

Can you hear any similarities? I'll let you be the judge.

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Waka Flocka Flame Cancels Concert at University of Oklahoma Because of S.A.E Fraternity Racist Chant

Rapper Waka Flocka Flame has cancelled a concert at University of Oklahoma after a video of a fraternity on campus went viral. Sigma Alpha Epsilon or SAE, were chanting racist lyrics to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It."

"There will never be a n*gger in SAE. There will never be a n*gger in SAE. You can hang them from a tree, but they will never sign with me. There will never be a n*gger in SAE."

The video seemed to have been taken on a coach bus. It was uploaded on Youtube Sunday, March 8 in the evening.

The 28 year-old rapper took to Ingstagram to say that he his cancelling his concert at the university.

He put a caption on the photo that said, "SMFH.. I know for a fact the whole school and SAE don't agree with those kids actions so know that I'm not madd at the whole #SAE just those disgusting kids!!!!!! #WFF We can't change history but we damn sure can create our own future #DeathToRacism."

According to CNN, after SAE's national chapter shut down the fraternity's house on campus, the president of the university severed ties with the fraternity as well.

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Conflicting Reports on Bobbi Kristina Brown

First the family is getting ready to say goodbye and now she'll die the same day her mother did.

This morning, media outlets have reported that Bobbi Kristina Brown, daughter of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, will be taken off of life support at midnight on Wednesday, February 11, which is the 3rd anniversary of her mother's death.

The 21 year-old was found face down in a bathtub on Saturday, January 31. She has been in a medically induced coma for the past 10 days.

According to Page Six, Cissy Houston, her grandmother, brought up the idea that she should be taken off of life support on the same day that her mother died. A Brown source said that it is a symbolic way to keep the mother and daughter together for eternity.

TMZ has reported that the idea came from her father, Brown, 46, who realized that there is nothing more that the doctors can do for his daughter.

Despite these reports, Us Weekly says that the plug will not be pulled at midnight. A Houston family source says there's "no truth to it at all."

 Last week on Thursday, February 5, a lawyer for Bobby Brown denied reports that the family was getting ready to say goodbye to Bobbi Kristina.

"If we issued a statement every time the media published a false report regarding this matter, that's all we would be doing 24 hours a day. This is false, just as is the vast majority of the other reporting that is currently taking place." 

What is true out of this whole ordeal is that the Brown family attended a candlelight vigil on Monday, February 9 in the evening. The gathering took place at Riverdale Town Center Amphitheatre in Georgia where hundreds of people showed up to support and pray for the health of Bobbi Kristina.


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Kanye West Mocks His 2009 MTV Music Awards Stunt at the Grammys

Did Kanye just pull a… Kanye?

Singer-songwriter Beck was in for a treat when he won a Grammy for Album of the Year. The musician won the award over Beyoncé, Sam Smith, Pharell and Ed Sheeran for his Morning Phase album.

Right when Beck, 44, accepted the award from singer Prince, Kanye West walks up on stage attempting to disrupt his speech before turning to the crowd and walking back off stage.

As he turns away, he smiles.

At the MTV Music Awards in 2009, singer Taylor Swift won an award for Best Video over Beyoncé. The 37 year-old rapper walked on stage and interrupted Swift's acceptance speech to say, "Imma let you finish, but  Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time."

Six years later, the "Only One" rapper mocked his stunt and made the audience laugh. Still, was it too soon?

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Naya Rivera Apologizes For Showering Comment

Some jokes can be taken the wrong way, especially when showering and race is involved.

Actress Naya Rivera apologized for a controversial joke she made while guest hosting on The View Tuesday, January 13. Co-host Nicole Wallace admitted that she showered three times a day. Rivera responded with a "theory."

"I have to say I have a theory about showering, (which) is that I think that white people shower a lot more than ethnics. I feel like showering more than once a day or everyday is such a white people thing."

The 28 year-old actress also added, "A study says, dermatologist say you are only supposed to shower once or twice every three days, so I'm right on the mark."

This stirred up a lot of anger amongst viewers who took to Twitter to express how they felt.

One person tweeted: @NayaRivera Actually, showering everyday is a hygiene thing, not a 'white people' thing. I guess it's okay to be racist when you're not white.

Another person tweeted: When YOU tell the world YOU shower every 3 days that says more about YOU not us Naya Rivera.

The following day, the Glee star guest hosted again and apologized (video down below) for her comments.

"It was supposed to be a joke, but I apologize if anyone was offended."

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