September 3, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Amanda Edwards/WireImage(LOS ANGELES) — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has tested positive for COVID-19.

In an 11-minute video shared on Instagram Wednesday, with the caption, “My message to all of you around the world,” Johnson confirmed that he, as well as his wife, Lauren, and two daughters, have all tested positive for the coronavirus.

“I wish it was only me that tested positive, but it wasn’t, it was my entire family,” said Johnson. “So this one was a real kick in the gut.”

The 48-year-old actor and retired professional wrestler revealed that he and his family contracted the disease from close family friends who, like his family, have been extremely disciplined during quarantine and “had no idea where they picked it up.”

“They’re devastated that it led to them infecting our family with it,” said Johnson, but said that because they were able to mitigate the disease, it didn’t spread out of control.

“I’ve gone through some doozies in the past… but testing positive for COVID-19 is much different than overcoming nasty injuries or being evicted or even being broke, which I have been more than a few times,” he shared. “The reason why I feel like this has been different is because my number one priority is to always protect my family, protect my children, my loved ones.”

Despite testing positive for the virus, Johnson assured his followers that he and his family members are on the mend and are “no longer contagious.” 

Johnson, who has put his health and wellness first over the years, ended his video update by sharing some advice with his fans and followers to help slow the spread of the disease and prevent infection, such as wearing a mask and not interacting with people who haven’t been tested.

By Angeline Jane Bernabe
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

September 3, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

David Becker/Getty Images for YouTube Originals(PAGE, Ariz.) — Magician David Blaine has made YouTube history after completing his first stunt in nearly a decade.  Hundreds of thousands turned into watch the daredevil soar over Arizona using only a bunch of balloons — yes, just like the animated Disney-Pixar film Up.

YouTube Originals aired David Blaine Ascension, a nearly three-hour long livestream where the 47-year-old used 52 helium balloons — 42 eight foot balloons and 10 smaller balloons — configured to carry his weight, which is 198 pounds.

Once Blaine went airborne, he soared as high as 25,000 feet — about 4.5 miles — where apparently oxygen levels at that height are half of that you breathe at sea level.

Fans were able to soak in the breathtaking views as Blaine ascended higher and higher thanks to the cameras equipped to his impressive balloon-carrying contraption.  However, they also watched in suspense when Blaine eventually had to let go and plummet back to earth. 

He safely planted his feet back on the ground after deploying his trusty parachute.  

Understandably, this stunt was a long time in the making due to the extreme danger Blaine willingly put himself through.  The magician said he trained for two years to complete his new trick — even securing a pilot’s license, a commercial balloon pilot’s license and skydiver certification to make sure he left no loose ends.

According to YouTube, the livestream broke all sorts of records on the site, such as becoming the most-watched YouTube Originals live event in website history.  At peak viewership, more than 770,000 people were watching at the same time.

So, what does Blaine have up his sleeve next?  Thanks to his YouTube channel, fans can now stay tuned.

September 2, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Disney+The Mandalorian has set a premiere date for season two. 

The new season of the Disney+ series will begin streaming on October 30. Episodes for season two had already completed shooting before the COVID-19 pandemic led to the shutdown of multiple studio productions in mid-March. 

The live-action series, which premiered on Disney+ in 2019, is set in the Star Wars universe and follows the journey of the Mandalorian, a bounty hunter named Din Djarin, set five years after The Return of the Jedi and 25 years before The Force Awakens. 

Among returning actors are Pedro Pascal in the lead role, plus Giancarlo Esposito and Gina Carano, along with the additions of Rosario Dawson as a former Jedi and Michael Biehn as a bounty hunter, with comedian Bill Burr reprising his season one single-episode role as fellow bounty hunter Mayfield.

The show is nominated for 15 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Special Visual Effects. 

Production on season 3 of The Mandalorian is already underway. 

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

September 2, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

L-R: Blu del Barrio (Photo Credit: Phil Sharp), Ian Alexander (Photo Credit: Jake Akita)(LOS ANGELES) — Star Trek has always been about inclusion and diversity, which is why CBS All Access series Star Trek: Discovery is going where no previous Trek has gone before.

Discovery, which already boasts Trek’s first-ever gay couple, will now introduce the franchise’s first non-binary and transgender characters.  The non-binary character, Adira, is played by Blu del Barrio, a non-binary actor who uses they/them.  After coming on board the U.S.S. Discovery, Adria will form a bond with Lt. Commander Stamets and his partner Dr. Hugh Culber, played by Anthony Rapp and Wilson Cruz, respectively.

The transgender character, played by Ian Alexander, is Gray, whose dream of becoming a Trill host gets upended when his life takes an unexpected turn.  In the Star Trek universe, Trills are symbiotic alien-looking creatures that live inside the bodies of humanoid “hosts.”

Alexander, who uses they/them and he/him pronouns, is best known for his role as Buck Vu on The OA.  They’re the first out transgender Asian-American person to act on TV.

In a statement, Discovery showrunner Michelle Paradise says, “Star Trek has always made a mission of giving visibility to underrepresented communities because it believes in showing people that a future without division on the basis of race, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation is entirely within our reach.”

The third season of Star Trek: Discovery premieres October 15 on CBS All Access.

By Andrea Dresdale
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

September 2, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Amy Sussman/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — A wide range of stars are banding together to encourage citiziens to vote on ABC’s upcoming VOMO: Vote or Miss Out special.

The non-partisan event will feature performances and appearances by a variety of comics, artists and activists in an effort to get people to the polls. 

Kevin Hart will host the show, with fellow comedians Will Ferrell, Whitney Cummings, Tim Allen and Jay Leno among those scheduled to perform, along with appearances by actors Tiffany Haddish, Jon Hamm, Scarlett Johansson and more.

On the music front, Jaden and Willow Smith will also perform, along with rappers Lil Baby and 2 Chainz, among others.

Politicial figures including Michelle Obama, Cindy McCain, Ann Romney and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will offer voter registration information, as well as insight into how to cast your vote amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  

VOMO airs on ABC on September 14 at 10:00 p.m. ET following the season 29 premiere of Dancing with the Stars.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.