Kelly Clarkson has addressed recent allegations of a toxic work environment on her daytime talk show.

The claims were made in a report by Rolling Stone last week (May 12), in which numerous staff members working on The Kelly Clarkson Show came forward — accusing the producers of “overworking” and “underpaying” employees.

In the report, one current employee and 10 former members of staff spoke anonymously about the workplace environment behind the scenes of the chat show. “I remember going up on the roof of the stage to cry,” one said, describing the emotional impact the job took on them. “[I was] being like, ‘Oh, my gosh, what am I doing? Why am I putting myself through this?’”

As per the statements, the staff collectively agreed that Clarkson herself was “fantastic” and stated that she must have “no clue how unhappy her staff is”.

Kelly Clarkson (CREDIT: Cooper Neill/Getty Images).

Following the report, the host has taken to social media to address the accusations. “In my 20 years in the entertainment industry, I’ve always led with my heart and what I believed to be right,” Clarkson wrote on Saturday (May 13). “I love my team at The Kelly Clarkson Show, and to find out that anyone is feeling unheard and or disrespected on this show is unacceptable.”

She also went on to explain how the team will be reinforcing a positive work environment going forward by introducing new leadership training for all current employees.

“I have always been, and will continue to be, committed to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment at The Kelly Clarkson Show. As we prepare for a move to the East Coast, I am more committed than ever to ensuring that not only our team that is moving, but also our new team in NY, is comprised of the best and kindest in the business,” she said.

“Part of that build will include leadership training for all of the senior staff, including myself. There is always room to grow and ensure we are all being/becoming the best version of ourselves in any business. Especially when it comes to leadership, to ensure that any notion of toxicity is eradicated.”

pic.twitter.com/DoYmJYMoyj

— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) May 13, 2023

A spokesperson for NBCUniversal also weighed in on the report, sharing a statement discussing how they have taken all accusations very seriously. “We are committed to a safe and respectful work environment and take workplace complaints very seriously and to insinuate otherwise is untrue,” they explained (via The Hollywood Reporter). “When issues are reported they are promptly reviewed, investigated and acted upon as appropriate.”

In other news, earlier this year Clarkson confirmed that new music will be coming “really soon”, and announced her new album ‘Chemistry’.

Reportedly in the works for over three years, she described the forthcoming LP as representing the “arc of an entire relationship”. “A whole relationship shouldn’t be brought down to just one thing. So there’s the good, the bad, and the ugly kinda thing going on it.”

A release date for the album has not yet been confirmed.

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PHNOM PEHN—Nobody came close to knocking off Vanessa Sarno from her perch. The former Asian champion removed the excitement and drama in the weightlifting competition on Monday, hardly breaking a sweat in retaining her women’s 71kg crown at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. Sarno, last year’s champion in Hanoi, Vietnam, erased her own standard of […]

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MANILA, Philippines — A year ago Bella Belen made history as the first-ever women’s volleyball player to win the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year, leading National University to a perfect Season 84 for the Lady Bulldogs’ first title in 65 years. When she capped her masterful season with a series sweep of […]

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Sam Levinson, director of the upcoming HBO series The Idol has revealed how The Weeknd – real name Abel Tesfaye – first pitched the idea of the show to him.

READ MORE: The Weeknd – ‘Dawn FM’ review: soulful star meets a new day with hope and hindsight

Speaking to W Magazine, Levinson recalled: “Abel came to us with a pitch. He said something that I’ll always remember: ‘If I wanted to start a cult, I could.’ What he meant is that his fans were so loyal and devoted that they would follow him anywhere. That was the germ of the idea for The Idol: what happens when a pop star falls for the wrong guy and no one speaks up.”

Levinson and The Weeknd had an outline for the show two days later, and approached HBO with a script for the series’ pilot episode later, with the network reportedly picking it up immediately.

Tesfaye and Levinson picked a fresh team to handle production on the show, led by director Amy Seimetz as Levinson was busy working on Euphoria at the time. However, Seimetz’ version of The Idol underwent an overhaul in April 2022 after a rough-cut was completed that led to various changes in the cast and crew, including the departure of Seimetz.

Tesfaye was reportedly concerned the dynamic between his cult figure character and Jocelyn in the original cut was “not as complex” as they had initially envisioned, which led to a “pivot”. “Film and TV is a new creative muscle for me,” Tesfaye said. “I don’t release my music until I think it is great. Why would this be any different?”

In a report on Rolling Stone earlier this year, various anonymous sources alleged that Levinson’s rewrites and reshoots added more nudity and disturbing sexual content which changed the show’s message.

The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp in HBO’s ‘The Idol’. Credit: The Weeknd Official Twitter

In April 2022, Deadline reported that the show was getting a rehaul as Tesfaye was unhappy with the show’s creative direction, which at the time reportedly focused too much on “the female perspective” of Depp’s character, rather than his own.

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K-pop boyband U-KISS have announced an upcoming reunion and new music.

READ MORE: Tomorrow X Together live in New York: magic and mayhem at boyband’s first US arena tour

Today (May 15), South Korean music label Tango Music announced that second-generation K-pop boyband U-KISS would be making a comeback later this year, with former members of the group set to re-join the act. The as-yet-unnamed mini-album, due out in June, as part of U-KISS’ 15th anniversary project.

“To mark the boyband’s 15th anniversary, U-KISS have confirmed a six-member comeback with Soohyun, Hoon and Kiseop at the forefront,” said Tango Music, per Korea JoongAng Daily. The three members named the only U-KISS members currently part of the group.

The agency has yet to announce which former U-KISS members would re-join the trio for the upcoming release. Past members include Alexander Lee, Allen Kim (known as Kibum in U-KISS), Dongho, Siyoon (known as AJ in U-KISS), Kevin, Eli and Lee Jun-young.

UKISS 15TH ANNIVERSARY COMEBACK PROJECT

MAY HOON Digital Single
MAY SOOHYUN Digital Single
JUNE UKISS Mini Album
JULY UKISS Concert in JAPAN

COMING SOON#UKISS #유키스 #UKISS15THANNIVERSARYCOMEBACKPROJECT pic.twitter.com/NiAtt5OiSe

— UKISS__official (@__UKISS_) May 14, 2023

In addition to the reunion release, the group’s anniversary project will include solo releases from members Hoon and Soohyun later this month, followed by a concert in Japan in July. At the time of publishing, it is unclear if any of the former members will also be participating in the upcoming concerts.

U-KISS first debuted in August 2008 with the mini-album ‘New Generation’, and are best known for their 2009 single ‘Am I That Easy?’. Their last group release had been their 2018 Japanese studio album ‘LINK’, though several of the members had remained active in the music industry through solo and duo releases.

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(G)I-DLE have returned with their new mini-album ‘I Feel’ and a music video for its lead single ‘Queencard’.

READ MORE: The 10 best (G)I-DLE songs

On May 15 at 6pm KST, the five-member girl group made a comeback with their mini-album ‘I Feel’, led by the single ‘Queencard’. The new visual is a continuation of the group’s comeback trailer clip and music video for B-side track ‘Allergy’ which re-imagines each of the members as characters in a teen movie.

The ‘Queencard’ music video opens with leader Soyeon entering an operating suite for plastic surgery after having been singled out as the “ordinary” one in the group in the previous videos, while the rest of (G)I-DLE party and bask in their popularity.

During the party, the girl group also reference the dance-off scene from White Chicks. However, Soyeon ultimately decides not to carry on with the surgery and becomes well-loved on social media.

“Birthday cake prepared for this party / I’m thankful for being born every day / I don’t need them / Yes, even when I see it, I (Three, two),” they sing on the pre-chorus.

All the tracks on the album were co-written and co-composed either by leader Soyeon or vocalists Yuqi and Minnie. CUBE Entertainment labelmate Wooseok of boyband PENTAGON also helped co-write the song ‘All Night’ with Yuqi.

‘I Feel’ acts as the follow-up to (G)I-DLE’s October 2022 mini-album ‘I Love’, which featured the hit single ‘Nxde’. The record also included the song ‘DARK (X-File)’, which received a music video treatment.

Prior to this comeback, the members of (G)I-DLE had been focused on solo work. Miyeon and Yuqi previously released the song ‘Sweet Dream’, for Netflix K-drama Love to Hate You.

On the other hand, Minnie collaborated with English singer Anne-Marie on ‘Expectations’. She also released ‘Making Waves’ for the Valorant esports tournament Champions Tour Pacific 2023.

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Indonesia’s men can restore pride to the country’s football when they contest a major regional final Tuesday, following a deadly stadium disaster and humiliation at losing the right to host the U-20 World Cup. The Indonesians booked their place in the gold-medal match against Thailand at the Southeast Asian Games with a pulsating 3-2 win […]

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Ryuichi Sakamoto‘s management has shared a playlist curated by the late musician and composer, titled ‘Funeral’.

READ MORE: Ryuichi Sakamoto, 1952-2023: an inimitable sonic innovator

Released today (May 15), his management wrote on social media: “We would like to share the playlist Ryuichi has been privately compiling to be played at his own funeral to accompany his passing. He truly was with music until the very end.”

Check out the post below.

Ryuichi’s Last Playlist.

We would like to share the playlist that Ryuichi had been privately compiling to be played at his own funeral to accompany his passing. He truly was with music until the very end.

– skmt managementhttps://t.co/QPeSnthq9p pic.twitter.com/lK7B2ltUM9

— ryuichi sakamoto (@ryuichisakamoto) May 15, 2023

The 33-track playlist features some of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s favourite music, including works from Back, Debussy and Ravel, and opens with an 11-minute piece ‘Haloid Xerrox Copy 3 (Paris)’ from Sakamoto’s frequent collaborator Alva Noto.

Listen to the playlist below.

Ryuichi Sakamoto’s ‘Funeral’ playlist comes shortly after Milan Records released a newly compiled collection of solo works by the late Ryuichi Sakamoto, titled ‘Travesía’. The album was curated by Oscar-winning Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu, with the album’s title translating to ‘journey’ in Spanish.

The pioneering composer died on March 28, aged 71 after being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2021 and throat cancer in 2014. In late December last year, the lauded composer and founder of the Yellow Magic Orchestra played his final show, a livestreamed concert titled ‘Ryuichi Sakamoto: Playing the Piano 2022’.

Johnny Marr, Massive Attack and David Bowie’s estate were among artists who lead tributes to the composer.

Following Ryuichi Sakamoto’s death, Daniel Peters wrote of Sakamoto’s legacy for NME: “Throughout his career, he restlessly bucked tradition, innovating within instrumentation, composition and technology. Over the decades, he remained fascinated with the pop song, testing the endurance of its form through different methods of musicianship – even while holding on to his earliest and dearest classical inspirations. In the wake of his departure, it’s hard to imagine that there will ever be another like Ryuichi Sakamoto.”

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BTS member Suga recently brought singer Halsey onstage as a surprise guest at the Los Angeles stop of his ongoing world tour.

READ MORE: Suga of BTS: “You have to find what makes you happy, what brings you joy”

On the final day of Suga’s three-day concert at the Kia Forum on May 14 in Los Angeles, as part of his ongoing ‘Suga Agust D’ world tour, the rapper surprised fans by inviting American singer-songwriter onstage as a guest.

As seen in a clip uploaded by the Kia Forum on Twitter, the pair teamed up for a performance of their 2020 track ‘Suga’s Interlude’, from Halsey’s third studio album ‘Manic’. This marks the first time the two artists have performed ‘Suga’s Interlude’ together.

“I’ve been trying all my life / To separate the time / In between the having it all and giving it up, yeah,” Halsey sings in the chorus. The pair later shared a laugh as the song ended, and hugged before the singer left the stage.

“SUGA’s Interlude” with surprise guest @Halsey! #SUGA_AgustD_TOUR_in_LA #D_DAY_TOUR #DDAY #SUGA #AgustD #슈가 #AgustD_SUGA_Tour_in_LA pic.twitter.com/Nx9z59ZCgz

— The Kia Forum (@thekiaforum) May 15, 2023

Halsey is now the second guest performer to appear on Suga’s world tour, after MAX joined the rapper on night two of his Los Angeles concerts. The latter had previously worked with Suga on the tracks ‘Blueberry Eyes’ and ‘Burn It’.

Suga first kicked off his solo tour in New York last month, and has since performed several concerts in New Jersey and Chicago. Following two upcoming shows in Oakland, the rapper will be heading to Jakarta, Singapore and more for the Asian leg later this month.

The ‘Suga Agust D’ world tour is in support of the BTS rapper’s official debut album ‘D-DAY’, which arrived on April 21 along with a music video for its lead single ‘Haegeum’. The record also includes collaborations with South Korean singer-songwriter IU, the late Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto and The Rose singer Woosung.

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MANILA, Philippines–The Philippines came out of the gates hard to roll past Malaysia, 77-63, to salvage a silver medal on Monday in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games women’s basketball competition at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh. Janine Pontejos shot the basketball with deadly accuracy early on to set the tone for Gilas Pilipinas […]

The post Gilas Pilipinas Women salvage SEA Games 2023 silver appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

NCT member Johnny Suh has revealed that K-pop boyband NCT 127 are working on new music.

READ MORE: NCT 127 – ‘질주 (2 Baddies)’ review: genre experimentalists continue their chaotic streak

In a newly released video by the Associated Press, recorded on May 7, Johnny told the new agency that both NCT and its sub-group NCT 127 are in the midst of recording new albums.

“We are starting to record our new album for NCT 127, also the whole NCT, so you guys can look forward to that,” he said. “I don’t know how fast it’s going to come out, but we’re working on it.”

Elsewhere during the interview, Johnny also gave a shoutout to the new NCT sub-unit, NCT DOJAEJUNG: “Right now DOJAEJUNG is out so if you guys support us, hopefully you guys are supporting them.”

Last week, SM Entertainment released a preview of its upcoming music releases, up until the third quarter of 2023. In it, the agency said that NCT are set to drop a new studio album within that timeframe.

Other SM Entertainment acts set to release new music this year include boyband EXO, NCT Dream and SHINee. In addition, NCT’s Taeyong, SHINee’s Onew and Key, Red Velvet‘s Wendy, D.O. of EXO and Girls’ Generation‘s Taeyeon are also scheduled to drop new material.

Meanwhile, NCT DOJAEJUNG are the newest NCT sub-unit, following the rotational NCT U. NCT also feature three larger sub-groups, namely NCT 127, NCT Dream and the China-based WayV.

The trio made their debut in April with the mini-album ‘Perfume’, which featured a title track of the same name, as well as the track ‘Can We Go Back’, which the trio had previously performed at NCT 127’s ‘Neo City — The Link’ concert in Seoul last year.

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K-pop boyband WEi have cancelled the majority of their Latin America ‘Passion’ tour.

READ MORE: Tomorrow X Together live in New York: magic and mayhem at boyband’s first US arena tour

Over the weekend, WEi and their label OUI Entertainment announced that they have cancelled all dates on their upcoming Latin America ‘Passion’ tour, with the exception of the Mexico City stop on June 4.

“We requested visa issuance and other matters that had to be checked in advance to ensure smooth performance. Nevertheless, we were told to proceed with the concert without issuing a proper visa and to perform in an open-air venue,” OUI Entertainment said.

“Furthermore, some of the notices were not negotiated with OUI Entertainment before uploading,” the agency added. “Although we tried to proceed with the performance through continuous consultation, we have judged that it would be difficult to proceed with MC Entertainment for this tour.”

The dates on WEi’s tour that have been cancelled are: Merida (June 5) and Monterrey (June 7), San Salvador (June 9), San Jose (June 11), Caracas (June 13) and Caguas (June 15).

“If you purchased tickets for concerts listed above, please request refund and cancellation to the MC Entertainment,” OUI Entertainment noted, adding that it “does not have the authority to issue a refund but we will check to ensure refund and cancellation for all ticket holders”.

[NOTICE] WEi 2ND WORLD TOUR ＜PASSION＞ IN LATIN AMERICA 공연 관련 안내https://t.co/SPQkARsFn9#위아이 #WEi#WEi_2ND_WORLD_TOUR #PASSION

— 위아이(WEi)_OFFICIAL (@WEi__Official) May 14, 2023

In other touring news, K-pop girl group (G)I-DLE have announced their upcoming 2023 world tour, ‘I am FREE-TY’. The tour will take them to major cities through out Asia, including Bangkok and Hong Kong, before heading to the US for the six-city North American leg.

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