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Thursday, February 27, 2014
Katty Perry & John mayer break up
Days after Robin Thicke announced his marital separation, Billboard power couple Katy Perry and John Mayer have reportedly broken up.
The "I Kissed A Girl" singer, in the last few days, initiated the split from Mayer, her boyfriend of a year-and-a-half and her first major relationship since the end of her marriage to comic Russell Brand, it's said.
The disbanding might come as a surprise to some after Perry, who flew solo on her recent tour of London and Milan, was sporting serious bling last fall, sparking rumors the music-makers had gotten engaged. The couple had broken up nearly a year ago, but quickly reunited.
Perry, who recently became the first person to hit 50 million Twitter followers, had not yet addressed the reports early Wednesday.
If nothing else, the parted couple leaves behind a highlight reel of romantic moments throughout their red carpet relationship, from their duet on Mayer's "Who You Love," to his serenading of Perry during a New York concert last summer.
The break-up marks yet another failed romance for the soft-singing lothario Mayer, who's dated the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jessica Simpson and Minka Kelly.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Justin Bieber Weed Found in Seized Escalade
Weed Found in Seized Escalade
Atlanta cops found marijuana in the Escalade that was seized at Justin Bieber's house Tuesday . TMZ has learned. TMZ broke the story cops took possession of the vehicle after they arrested the driver and bodyguard for allegedly stealing a photog's camera at a fun house Bieber rented for the day. According to the police report. after the vehicle was towed to police headquarters it was inspected and cops found pot -- less than an ounce. They also found 2 large glass smoking pipes with weed residue.
Law enforcement says there wasn't enough pot to charge anyone with a crime. As for whose marijuana ... according to the police report the driver told cops he had no knowledge of what was in the back of the vehicle -- where the pot was found. He added it's common for him NOT to ask questions.
Khloe Kardashan not going back to Lamar Odom
"That's my wife, I love my wife, she'll always be my wife no matter what," Odom — who recently signed a one year contract with the Spanish team Laboral Kutxa — said in an recent interview.
He added only "time will tell" if the pair — married since 2009 — will actually do get divorced.
However, a source close to Khloé, 29, told RadarOnline.com that Odom, 34, is living in a parallel universe!
"She has absolutely no plans to get back together with Lamar," said the insider.
"She has already sold their house and is just starting live her own life. The nights of staying up late at night wondering where Lamar was and if he would be coming home, are over."
The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star filed for divorce in December and swiftly moved out of the home she shared with the former Los Angeles Lakers sixth man.
Even though "Lamar still wears his wedding ring," Khloé's has had hers off for months.
"She has no plans to put it back on," the source said.
Charlie Sheen: ‘Stop Calling My Fiancée
Charlie Sheen is getting set to take his fourth walk down the aisle after popping the question to Brett Rossi during a trip to Hawaii, but the Anger Management actor is disgusted that the media is referring to his future wife as a porn star.
"It's absolutely making Charlie crazy that the media keeps referring to Brett as a porn star, because she no longer is doing that. She recently graduated from nursing school," an insider told Radar.
"Furthermore, her stage name is Brett Rossi, her legal name is Scottine Ross. He wants people to refer to her as Scotti, which is the name she goes by in her personal life. Charlie has told his publicist to tell media outlets to stop calling her a porn star."
But before Charlie and the adult film star get married, Rossi will need to have her divorce to husband, Jonathan, finalized.
Jonathan Ross filed for divorce from Brett on July 18, 2013 and Rossi didn't file a response to the divorce documents until Jan. 30, 2014, as Radar exclusively revealed.
She is being represented by Sheen's famed family law attorney, Mark Gross. The couple had been married for about a year and do not have any children together.
But despite her still-married status, sources previously told Radar that her divorce isn't likely derail her upcoming nuptials.
"The divorce between Brett and Jonathan is going to be finalized in the next few months, if not sooner," an insider said.
"There isn't anything that is being contested."
Monday, February 24, 2014
CNN Ends Piers Morgan's show
Piers Morgan's prime-time talk show has been cancelled with the journalist admitting the audience in the United States is getting ''tired'' of him.
The former newspaper editor joined US channel CNN in a blaze of publicity three years ago to take over from veteran Larry King, but his show has struggled in the ratings with initial audiences of two million falling to around 270,000.
The 48-year-old told The New York Times that he and CNN president Jeff Zucker were discussing a new role for him at the channel, where his contract ends in September, but admitted his brash British approach had alienated viewers.
Morgan's campaigning stance in favour of gun control has led to some high-profile clashes with opponents and hundreds of thousands people signed a petition calling for him to be deported.
One of the petition's organisers, Alex Jones, appeared on the Morgan show which ended in a shouting match with Jones warning him: ''Don't try what your ancestors did before.''
Morgan told the New York Times: ''It's been a painful period and lately we have taken a bath in the ratings.
''Look, I am a British guy debating American cultural issues, including guns, which has been very polarising, and there is no doubt that there are many in the audience who are tired of me banging on about it.
''That's run its course and Jeff and I have been talking for some time about different ways of using me.''
The New York Times' media journalist David Carr also suggested Morgan's obsession with cricket - he regularly takes to Twitter in support of his friend Kevin Pietersen - was not helping.
He said: ''Mr Morgan might want to lay off the steady cricket references if he is worried about his credibility with American audiences.''
Morgan, whose Twitter profile says 'One day you're the cock of the walk, the next a feather duster', has previously said he would ''be taken out of CNN kicking and screaming''.
The channel said the date of the final edition of Piers Morgan Live has yet to be decided and did not comment on any future plans.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
World most dangerous Drug Lord captured
But that, authorities said, was where they captured Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman over the weekend.
His nickname, which means "Shorty," belies the tall and near-mythic status Guzman achieved in recent years for his ability to elude capture by using bribes, safe houses and an army of cartel helpers.
The early morning operation in the Mexican Pacific resort town of Mazatlan marked a dramatic twist in a case that has long captivated the country and frustrated investigators on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Authorities had been closing in on the notorious Sinaloa cartel leader for months before Mexican marines swooped in Saturday, Mexican Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam told reporters.
Earlier police operations yielded a trove of intelligence, including cell phone and other data, a U.S. law enforcement official said. That helped Mexican authorities and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents hunting Guzman gain confidence in recent weeks that they could arrest him.
A key discovery earlier this month marked a turning point in the investigation: seven houses in the Mexican city of Culiacan, connected by secret tunnels that also tied in with the city's sewage system.
Investigators almost caught him then, Murillo said, but reinforced steel doors made it too tough for them to enter the compound quickly.
"It made it so that in the minutes we took to open them, he escaped in the tunnels," Murillo said. "But the investigation was so thorough that we continued."
Before Guzman's capture, Mexican federal forces made several significant arrests of Sinaloa cartel associates, including two people authorities said were suspected of providing security for top leaders of the cartel.
Youngest Italian Prime Minister(Matteo Renzi) sworn in .
Mr Renzi, 39, will be the youngest prime minister in the country's history, and one of its least experienced.
He rose to prominence as the mayor of Florence, but has never been elected to parliament or served in a national government.
He has chosen a comparatively young cabinet team, about half of them women.
We should emulate this in Nigeria. Since I was young, they kept saying we are the LEADERS of tomorrow.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
US state, Arizona, passes anti-gay bill
Arizona's Legislature has passed a controversial bill that would allow business owners, as long as they assert their religious beliefs, to deny service to gay and lesbian customers.
The bill, which the state House of Representatives passed by a 33-27 vote Thursday, now goes to Gov. Jan Brewer, a Republican and onetime small business owner who vetoed similar legislation last year but has expressed the right of business owners to deny service.
"I think anybody that owns a business can choose who they work with or who they don't work with," Brewer told CNN in Washington on Friday. "But I don't know that it needs to be statutory. In my life and in my businesses, if I don't want to do business or if I don't want to deal with a particular company or person or whatever, I'm not interested. That's America. That's freedom."
As expected, the measure has drawn criticism from Democrats and business groups who said it would sanction discrimination and open the state to the risk of damaging litigation.
On Friday, the LGBT group Wingspan staged a protest march to the governor's office that drew about 200 people. Some carried signs with messages "God created us all equal" and "Shame on Arizona."
Tucson-based Rocco's Little Chicago Pizzeria posted a photo on its Facebook page of a sign with a message for state lawmakers: "We reserve the right to refuse service to Arizona legislators."
"It's a ridiculous bill," pizzeria manager Evan Stevens told CNN on Friday. "Arizona has much bigger problems than allowing businesses to discriminate against people."
In a statement, Anna Tovar, the state senate Democratic minority leader, said: "With the express consent of Republicans in this Legislature, many Arizonans will find themselves members of a separate and unequal class under this law because of their sexual orientation. This bill may also open the door to discriminate based on race, familial status, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability."
The Greater Phoenix Economic Council, in a letter to Brewer on Friday, urged the governor to veto Senate Bill 1062, saying the "legislation will likely have profound, negative effects on our business community for years to come."
"The legislation places businesses currently in Arizona, as well as those looking to locate here, in potentially damaging risk of litigation, and costly, needless legal disputes," council President Barry Broome wrote, adding that four unidentified companies have vowed to locate elsewhere if the legislation is signed.
He added, "With major events approaching in the coming year, including Super Bowl XLIX, Arizona will be the center of the world's stage. This legislation has the potential of subjecting the Super Bowl, and major events surrounding it, to the threats of boycotts."
On CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper," Arizona state Rep. John Kavanagh, a Republican, said the bill would not allow hotel clerks or waiters, for instance, to turn away customers, unless there was a "substantial burden on their sincerely held religious beliefs."
The bill is being pushed by the Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative group opposed to abortion and same-sex marriage. The group has justified the measure on grounds that the proposal protects people against increasingly activist federal courts.
Friday, February 21, 2014
50 cent leaves Dr .Dre and Eminem's record after 12 years
Where Did 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin' Rank Among the 100 Best Debut Albums of All Time?
50 Cent sold a reported 30 million albums during his time on Interscope, from his six-times platinum 2003 debut Get Rich or Die Tryin' to 2009's gold-selling Before I Self Destruct. The first release via his new deal will be his own next record, Animal Ambition, for which he'll be giving away two tracks with preorders of the album beginning March 18th. The rapper will also premiere new songs and videos each week up until the album's release.
"I have had great success to date with Shady/Aftermath/Interscope, and I'd like to thank Eminem and Dr. Dre for giving me an incredible opportunity," 50 Cent said in a statement. "I've learned so much from them through the years. I am excited to enter this new era where I can carry out my creative vision."
"Both myself and Shady Records are grateful to have had the chance to play a part in 50's career," Eminem said. "Shady simply would not be what it is without 50 Cent. I've developed a great friendship with 50 over the years, and that's not going to change. We know 50 will have success in his new situation, and we remain supporters of both him and G-Unit."
Just because he's left the label, though, doesn't mean 50 Cent has relinquished all major label ties. His distributor, Caroline, is part of the Independent Services division of Capitol Records, which is itself a part of the Universal Music Group.
If it were to be in Nigeria, the boss will start beefing you. No love is shown
House of Reps reject Sanusi's suspension
The House took the decision today after adopting a motion on the matter moved by minority whip, Samson Osagie.
Osagie argued that Sanusi's suspension was unconstitutional and antithetical to Nigeria's economy coming at the time the CBN governor raised some concerns about missing funds.
He said the timing was wrong and Sanusi should not be washed away as he was only carrying out his duties as the chief executive officer of the apex bank.
He said the manner in which Sanusi was suspended was bereft of fairness as the man was not given any query, adding that the issues he raised ought to have been diagnosed thoroughly.
However, the motion drew a lot of controversy among the lawmakers as some kicked against it vehemently.
Leading opposition on the motion, Deputy House Leader, Leo Ogor, said the president is constitutionally empowered to appoint any individual into an office and sack him when something is wrong.
The House was thrown into a moment of confusion when some lawmakers booed Ogor, in disagreement with his position.
Some lawmakers wanted contributing further, but Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal ended the matter by putting it to vote.
Overwhelming majority of the lawmakers present at the plenary voted in favour of the motion.
Jonathan had announced earlier today that he suspended Lamido based on allegations of "financial recklessness" among other offences.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Facebook to buy WhatsApp for $19billion
Facebook Inc will buy fast-growing mobile-messaging startup WhatsApp for $16 billion in cash and stock, as the world's largest social network looks for ways to boost its popularity, especially among a younger crowd.
Facebook said on Wednesday it will pay $4 billion in cash and about $12 billion in stock in its single largest acquisition, dwarfing the $1 billion it paid for photo-sharing app Instagram.
Shares in Facebook slid 5 percent to $64.70 after hours, from a close of $68.06 on the Nasdaq.
As part of the deal, WhatsApp co-founder and Chief Executive Jan Koum will join Facebook's board, and the social network will grant an additional $3 billion worth of restricted stock units to WhatsApp's founders, including Koum.
Also, Facebook promised to keep the WhatsApp brand and service, and pledged a $1 billion cash break-up fee were the deal to fall through.
Facebook was advised by Allen & Co, while WhatApp has enlisted Morgan Stanley for the deal.
President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed Godwin Emefiele as CBN governor
Mr. Jonathan submitted Mr. Emefiele's name to the Senate for confirmation Thursday hours after he announced the suspension of Sanusi Lamido as the CBN governor.
The CBN's deputy governor, Sarah Alade, was named early Thursday as acting governor of the bank.
Mr. Jonathan said if confirmed by the senate, Mr. Emefiele will take over fully as the substantive governor in place of Mr. Sanusi whose tenure elaspes in June 2014.
The president also nominated Adelabu Adebayo as the deputy governor of the bank. Mr. Adebayo is current an executive director at First Bank. He will succeed Tunde Lemo who retired as Deputy Governor of the regulatory bank in late 2013.
*Naij News*
President Jonathan suspends (Sanusi) CBN governor .
Being also deeply concerned about far-reaching irregularities under Mallam Sanusi's watch which have distracted the Central Bank away from the pursuit and achievement of its statutory mandate; and
Being determined to urgently re-position the Central Bank of Nigeria for greater efficiency, respect for due process and accountability, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has ordered the immediate suspension of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from the Office of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
President Jonathan has further ordered that Mallam Sanusi should hand over to the most senior Deputy Governor of the CBN, Dr Sarah Alade who will serve as Acting Governor until the conclusion of on-going investigations into breaches of enabling laws, due process and mandate of the CBN.
The President expects that as Acting Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Alade will focus on the core mandate of the Bank and conduct its affairs with greater professionalism, prudence and propriety to restore domestic and international confidence in the country's apex bank.
The Federal Government of Nigeria reassures all stakeholders in Nigeria's financial and monetary system that this decision has been taken in absolute good faith, in the overall interest of the Nigerian economy and in accordance with our laws and due process.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
Monday, February 17, 2014
Teenager dies on Valentine's day
"The young man was on his bed… his pen*s was detached from his body, it must have been so intense it just came off his body, we found his pen*s gripped in his left hand so tightly we couldn't get it out, it was tragic".
Investigators are still investigating the case for more information, Jerome's funeral will take place sometime next week.
2face expecting 8th CHILD from another woman
Well the magazine is claiming Tuface is expecting his 8th child from a lady who works in a new generation bank called Teniola and she is already 3 months pregnant. I find this difficult to believe tho.
Read what they said below;
'Icon Weekly can authoritatively inform you that as you read this, a young lady who works for one of the new generation banks, Teniola, is three months pregnant for this prince of African music! Did that hit you like Mike Tyson's punch! Wait, more is coming.
We gathered that Teniola who hails from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State has been Tuface's account officer for a long time now. Did you say this s*xual relationship could have been going on before his marriage?
Teniola, a graduate of University of Lagos might just be another victim of pressured marketers in the banking sector face to lure customers with everything they have, if you know what I mean.
The worst part of the story is that 2baba wants the pregnancy terminated! Our source revealed to us that he has been begging Teniola with a brand new car to get rid of the pregnancy and keep this scandal out of media radar. Has he stopped counting his children? I guess it is time to ask 2baba...
Icon Magazine#
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Miley Cyrus Pulls a Monica Lewinsky ... on Clinton Impersonator
Miley Cyrus
Pulls a Monica Lewinsky
... on Clinton Impersonator
It was all for the debut concert on Miley's "Bangerz" tour -- which was filled with little people dressed as joints, giant stuffed animals, and a lot of ass -- but the big finish was her rendition of "Party in the U.S.A."
During the song ... Miley's dancers dressed up as famous American icons to pay tribute to our country -- and when Bill hit the stage Cyrus quickly dropped to her knees in his honor.
Might wanna dry clean that blue outfit.
Kanye West I Gave My Future Spouse Exam ... And She Passed
Kanye West
I Gave My Future Spouse an Oral Exam
... And She Passed
A new remix for Beyonce and Jay Z's "Drunk in Love" was released Saturday featuring Kanye ... where Yeezus raps about stuff like Kim's ass and his least favorite sex positions.
But the craziest part ... Kanye flows about the first time he realized Kim could be his future wife -- saying, "I impregnated your mouth, girl, oooh ... that's when I knew you could be my spouse, girl."
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Monday, February 10, 2014
5 tips for singles on Valentine's day
"There's so much societal pressure put on this Hallmark holiday that 'you should be with somebody,'" said relationship expert Barbie Adler, president and founder of Selective Search, a Chicago-based matchmaking firm. "You don't need to have a pity party, but you can use the day as a wake-up call to reflect on your personal life."
Here, Adler shared her recommended strategies for singles on Valentine's Day:
Don't Sulk at Home "Sometimes you need to give fate a nudge," Adler told ABC News. "Rather than spending time with other single girlfriends who are negative and sulking, host a party where everyone brings someone else that is unattached. Get the word out, pick a bar or another destination, and make sure you're not just spending time with your usual crew. This way it becomes something to look forward to."
If you don't like to drink, choose an alternate activity, such as renting a boat , she said. "You get everyone to cruise for an hour then have hot chocolate and desserts, and it's just as fun."
Do Treat Yourself "At the end of the day, everyone would prefer to be in love," said Adler, who added that single women are more likely to get upset by Valentine's Day than men, who tend to feel lonely around other holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"Whatever you do, don't be down on yourself. If being with other girls sounds depressing, go get a blowout or take a great yoga class. Buy yourself a treat--anything that will make you feel good." The point, Adler said, is to show self-love and stay positive.
Do Feel Free to Re interpret the Holiday Shift the focus of Valentine's Day from romantic love to celebrating all forms of love, recommends Adler.
"Reach out to friends and family to wish them well," said Adler. "If you show them a happy, positive spirit, not making the day about couple hood but about love, it's a great day to honour special people in your lives that way." And it's even more powerful to spread the love somewhere unexpected, by doing something philanthropic, she said.
"Taking your niece or nephew out for a meal or a fun frozen yogurt will not only get you points for being a good aunt or uncle," she said. "It will also show others that you're happy and in a good place, which will make other people want to set you up."
Don't Forget: It's Only One Day Above all else, Adler is adamant that true love does not hinge on a single holiday. "Remember that what we want is not about flowers and candy," she said. "What we really want is love and companionship and a lasting relationship. You're playing for keeps and it's worth waiting for."
*ABC*
5 tips for singles on Valentine's day
"There's so much societal pressure put on this Hallmark holiday that 'you should be with somebody,'" said relationship expert Barbie Adler, president and founder of Selective Search, a Chicago-based matchmaking firm. "You don't need to have a pity party, but you can use the day as a wake-up call to reflect on your personal life."
Here, Adler shared her recommended strategies for singles on Valentine's Day:
Don't Sulk at Home "Sometimes you need to give fate a nudge," Adler told ABC News. "Rather than spending time with other single girlfriends who are negative and sulking, host a party where everyone brings someone else that is unattached. Get the word out, pick a bar or another destination, and make sure you're not just spending time with your usual crew. This way it becomes something to look forward to."
If you don't like to drink, choose an alternate activity, such as renting a boat , she said. "You get everyone to cruise for an hour then have hot chocolate and desserts, and it's just as fun."
Do Treat Yourself "At the end of the day, everyone would prefer to be in love," said Adler, who added that single women are more likely to get upset by Valentine's Day than men, who tend to feel lonely around other holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"Whatever you do, don't be down on yourself. If being with other girls sounds depressing, go get a blowout or take a great yoga class. Buy yourself a treat--anything that will make you feel good." The point, Adler said, is to show self-love and stay positive.
Do Feel Free to Re interpret the Holiday Shift the focus of Valentine's Day from romantic love to celebrating all forms of love, recommends Adler.
"Reach out to friends and family to wish them well," said Adler. "If you show them a happy, positive spirit, not making the day about couple hood but about love, it's a great day to honour special people in your lives that way." And it's even more powerful to spread the love somewhere unexpected, by doing something philanthropic, she said.
"Taking your niece or nephew out for a meal or a fun frozen yogurt will not only get you points for being a good aunt or uncle," she said. "It will also show others that you're happy and in a good place, which will make other people want to set you up."
Don't Forget: It's Only One Day Above all else, Adler is adamant that true love does not hinge on a single holiday. "Remember that what we want is not about flowers and candy," she said. "What we really want is love and companionship and a lasting relationship. You're playing for keeps and it's worth waiting for."
*ABC*
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Friday, February 7, 2014
Ten Tips for valentine
Tip 2 #. Chocolates still do the trick. Yet to meet a lady who doesn't like chocolates. Box or Boxes. If not, she would love ice cream. Your choice
Tip 3 #. Women will never have enough purse/bag. Get her one or two. If you have the financial power for designers like Kenneth Cole, Channel etc.
Tip 4 # Take her to the spa, let her have her nails and fingers done. Wait patiently.
then take it from there.
Tip 5 # Like wise, women love shoes. get her favourite colour. Don't tell me you don't know her size?
Tip 6# Don't buy flowers. Majority don't appreciate flowers. If you must buy .let it be a bouquet and it should accompany the gifts.
Tip 7 # You know its a Friday. So there will be lot of gigs. If she's up for an outing, fine. If not, home made massage will do. With a low keyed music along with cake and ice-cream. Magical
Tip 8 #. If you have been dating her for a while, act as if you don't have money, let's see her reaction and what she will give to you this year .
Tip 9 # If its still boxers and singlets she can give again, the time has come for you to step her up. maybe she's not innovative or creative enough.
Tip 10 #. Look for a nice restaurant . Not too expensive. You don't wanna moan on your bank account the next day . Take her there and talk extensively and bond .
There's still more.....
Justin Bieber parties
*TMZ*
C.Ronaldo gets birthday gift from Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Expectedly, the Real Madrid forward was inundated with birthday messages from fans, colleagues and friends on various social media platforms. However, PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic's birthday message came as a surprise to not few people.
"Happy birthday @Cristiano!. I have sent your new favourite outfit in the post." The Swede wrote, adding a picture of a T-Shirt bearing #DareTo Zlatan slogan.
CR7 replied few hours later, "Thank you for the birthday present, @Ibra_official. It will look better on me than you though."
Pussy Riot tells fans not to watch the Sochi winter Olympics in Russia
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, two members of the punk feminist group who were jailed in Russia for 21 months after performing an anti-Putin protest in a cathedral, made their first concert appearance in America — a stop on their international tour to draw attention to the political problems in Russia. They've already done press with the Colbert Report and the New York Times in an effort to garner attention for a new human rights organization they aim to create, Zone of Law, which they will use to help those wrongfully imprisoned as they were.
Madonna introduced the group, telling the crowd that she received death threats for supporting Pussy Riot while on her own international tour; the Russian government also threatened to jail her in St. Petersburg for "promoting gay behavior" during her show. She was ultimately sued for $1 million for breaking Russian rules. (87 of her fans, she noted, were arrested for "gay behavior, whatever that is" at her concert in St. Petersburg.)
Though the audience swayed during the Fray, yelled during Blondie and "booed" Russia dutifully when Madonna told them to do so, they were really waiting for the only musical group that had truly suffered for their spot on stage.
Pussy Riot spent their short time in front of the microphone reading the statements made yesterday in court by people on trial in Russia for protesting Putin's election. (The protestors in Russia who Pussy Riot endorsed are expected to be sentenced to six years in prison.) Their somber tone broke with the lightheartedness of the rest of the evening — Madonna had thanked Pussy Riot earlier "for making pussy a 'sayable' word in my household." At the end Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina encouraged the crowd to yell, "Russia will be free!" with them.
The appearance of Pussy Riot certainly brought out big names and big bucks for Amnesty International, highlighting the organization's renewed relationship with music and celebrity. (Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz were sitting just a few feet from me during the concert. They left after Pussy Riot departed, even though Imagine Dragons was preparing to take the stage next.) Amnesty International's last "Human Rights" concerts were held between 1986 and 1988 and included the likes of Bruce Springsteen, U2 and Sting; other performers at this new iteration of the concert included Cake, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Bob Geldof, Tegan and Sara, Colbie Caillat and Cold War Kids.
Some tried to give their music a new meaning — Blondie said, "One Way, Or Another" felt especially appropriate for the event, and the Fray nodded towards the purpose of Amnesty International in ending their set with "How to Save a Life." Others simply sang their hits, like Imagine Dragons, whose performance of "Radioactive" made me miss their collaboration with Kendrick Lamar during the Grammys.
But the crowd petered out after Pussy Riot's appearance. Perhaps they would have stayed had Pussy Riot been allotted more time to just sit down and tell stories of their experiences on trial and in prison in Russia. They left the stage too quickly, and after all, fearless 20-something mothers battling Putin's oppressive regime are a tough act to follow