Becky FlukeMirandaLambert has always had a big heart for animals in need, and her MattNation Foundation is dedicated to helping and promoting the adoption of shelter pets.
The organization’s ‘Share the Love’ program allows animal welfare volunteers to enter their shelter for a chance to receive one of MuttNation’s 15 $1,000 grants. In 2020, due to the additional challenges of volunteering during a pandemic, the program expanded its parameters to also include people who adopted or fostered animals from shelters.
As a result, Miranda and the team at MuttNation were able to award grants to shelters all across the nation for the third year running. Participating organizations ranged from those in the singer’s home state of Texas to shelters everywhere, from California to Pennsylvania.
“Shelter pets and the people who care for them have the biggest hearts, and sharing the love for Valentine’s Day feels so right,” says Miranda, who has nine shelter dogs herself as well as a number of cats, horses and rabbits.
“It’s amazing to have such an amazing response to our program. The number of people who participated demonstrates the commitment and value that community members provide to their local shelters,” the singer points out. “And, especially given how difficult this year has been — it just means so much.”
Nearly 14,000 volunteers nominated their shelters to be included in this year’s Share the Love program. That’s up from 500 participants in the program’s first year.
Taylor Hill/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Game of Thrones actress Esmé Bianco has accused shock-rocker Marilyn Manson of abuse.
In an interview with ABC News, Bianco claims that Manson “psychologically, physically and sexually abused” her during their three-year relationship.
“I was coerced, I was defrauded, I was transported from the U.K. to the U.S., I was harbored, and then I was coerced into involuntarily servitude, which included sexual abuse and physical abuse,” says Bianco, who played Ros on Game of Thrones.
Bianco’s lawyer tells ABC News that she was interviewed by FBI agents in Los Angeles last week. The FBI did not confirm or deny that Manson himself was under active investigation.
Bianco’s allegations come after actress Evan Rachel Wood posted on February 1 that Manson had “horrifically abused [her] for years.” Several women have since followed with similar accusations.
Following Wood’s post, Manson, born Brian Warner, denied all claims as “horrible distortions of reality.” Manson’s attorney did not respond to ABC News’ multiple requests for comment.
Bianco first met Manson in 2005 through his then-fiancée, Dita Von Teese. “I was a big Marilyn Manson fan as a teenager,” Bianco says. “I just thought, wow, what a dream come true.”
They kept in touch after Manson’s relationship with Von Tesse ended. In 2009, Bianco says Manson invited her to Los Angeles to star in a video for his song “I Want to Kill You Like They Do in the Movies.” When Bianco arrived, she says she realized that there wasn’t any film crew present. Instead, Manson said they were going to make the video themselves.
“I was kept in his home for three days,” Bianco claimed. “I was given nothing to eat, he gave me drugs and alcohol, and I essentially was not allowed to leave.”
Bianco also alleges that Manson physically abused her during this time, including beating her with a whip and shocking her with a sex toy. She says that at the time, she thought they were making “art,” but has since come to realize that she was “so brainwashed into thinking that was anything but abuse.”
Their relationship continued for several years, during which Bianco alleges Manson would hide his abuse within sexual acts, such as non-consensual biting, and would parade her in front of his friends and show off the bruises he gave her.
The breaking point came when Manson allegedly started smashing the walls in their apartment with an ax. “I tried to calm him down, and then he started chasing me with the ax,” Bianco says. “At that point, I thought, he’s going to kill me.”
“I’ve been carrying this dark secret for so long. At the same time, it’s terrifying,” Bianco explains. “I’m still scared of him. I’m still scared of blackmail, of threats.”
Bianco adds that she hopes speaking up will “give strength” to other survivors of abuse.
“I want people who are in this situation right now to know they’re not alone and that it’s not their fault,” she says.
For anyone affected by abuse and needing support, call 1-800-799-7233, or if you’re unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 1-866-331-9474.
ABCCarrie Underwood has selected “How Great Thou Art,” “Amazing Grace” and other faith-filled classics for the 13-song track list of her gospel album, My Savior.
“For this album, I chose some of the familiar hymns I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember,” the singer said in a social media post announcing My Savior’s track list. “These songs set the foundation for me and I hope you love them as much as I do.”
Included in the project is an all-instrumental version of “Jesus Loves Me,” as well as a duet with gospel star CeCe Winans for “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” My Savior also features Carrie’s rendition of a long-standing country gospel favorite “The Old Rugged Cross,” which has previously been recorded by the likes of Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson and a slew of others.
Carrie co-produced My Savior alongside her Cry Pretty co-producer David Garcia. The project will be out in full on March 26, and she’ll also release it on vinyl on April 30.
Here’s the full track listing for My Savior:
“Jesus Loves Me” (Instrumental) “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus” “Blessed Assurance” “Just As I Am” “Victory in Jesus” “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” (feat. CeCe Winans) “O How I Love Jesus” “How Great Thou Art” “Because He Lives” “The Old Rugged Cross” “I Surrender All” “Softly and Tenderly” “Amazing Grace”
For this album, I chose some of the familiar hymns I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. These songs set the foundation for me and I hope you love them as much as I do. #MySavior ✨🙏 https://t.co/2zEYvLpkNnpic.twitter.com/fUimnH5d3O
ABC(LOS ANGELES) — Kevin Hart’s personal shopper did a little more than just shopping for the comedian — he also took an unauthorized cut to the tune of over $1 million dollars for himself.
According to TMZ, Kevin’s personal shopper, Dylan Syer, was arraigned on Wednesday for multiple charges including grand larceny after he allegedly used the star’s credit card to funnel money into his own personal account.
Syer reportedly built trust with the Jumanji actor after being hired in 2015 and then swindled nearly $1.2 million from him over the course of two years.
As for what he did with the money, Syer spent it lavishly, splurging on “pricey jewelry, watches, art, collectibles and luxury handbags,” the outlet reports. Among those items were 5 Patek Philippe watches worth more than $400k, a Sam Friedman painting, at least 16 Bearbrick collectible dolls, 5 KAWS collectible dolls and 2 Louis Vuitton bags — all of which prosecutors are trying to recover in order to get Kevin’s money back.
ABC/Todd Wawrychuck(LOS ANGELES) — Chris Harrison is walking back on the comments he made when defending Rachael Kirkconnell, who is competing on the newest season of The Bachelor for Matt James’ heart.
Harrison spoke with former Bachelorette star Rachel Lindsay for E! News on Tuesday regarding Kirkconnell’s alleged past racist behavior, specifically of the photos depicting the contestant attending an antebellum plantation-themed fraternity party in 2018.
During the interview, the Bachelor host expressed sympathy for the contestant and claimed she was potentially a victim of cancel culture.
“People are just tearing this girl’s life apart and diving into her and her parents’ voting record. It’s unbelievably alarming to watch this,” he said during the interview, adding that he wants to hear Rachael’s side before forming his own opinion.
His comments faced immediate backlash, with fans calling on Harrison to apologize for dismissing Rachel Lindsay’s concerns during the interview.
In a Instagram post on Wednesday, Harrison addressed Bachelor Nation in a public apology and agreed his past choice of words were “a mistake.”
“I have this incredible platform to speak about love, and yesterday I took a stance on topics about which I should have been better informed,” the statement read. “While I do not speak for Rachael Kirkconnell, my intentions were simply to ask for grace in offering her an opportunity to speak on her own behalf.”
“What I now realize I have done is cause harm by wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism, and for that I am so deeply sorry,” the statement continued. “I also apologize to my friend Rachel Lindsay for not listening to her better on a topic she has a first-hand understanding of, and humbly thank the members of Bachelor Nation who have reached out to me to hold me accountable. I promise to do better.”
Becky FlukeMiranda Lambert has always had a big heart for animals in need, and her MattNation Foundation is dedicated to helping and promoting the adoption of shelter pets. 
