Celebrity superlatives: Surprise songs, grad advice
Paste BN’s Carly Mallenbaum digs through the latest celebrity news for highlights ... and lowlights. Think high school yearbook superlatives — if J.K. Simmons and Christina Aguilera were classmates.
Best graduation adviser: J.K. Simmons
The Oscar winner gave the commencement speech at his alma mater, the University of Montana, last weekend. He used the opportunity to share some words of wisdom with graduates, including: eat your vegetables, use your turn signal, be on time, call your parents, live in the moment and stop saying "literally." "Dear God, please only use that word 'literally' when it actually makes sense," he said. "Seriously, if you take nothing else from my remarks today ..." he trailed off.
Most complimentary duo: Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro
Lawrence presented her Silver Linings Playbook and Joy co-star with the GLAAD Excellence in Media award last Saturday with a praise-filled speech about the actor. "As one of the greatest actors who's ever lived, I can learn a lot from him. But one of the most important things he's taught us, is acceptance," She said about De Niro. "Bob is the kindest person I've ever met. His heart is so giving... Bob, you are wise and you are loving, and the world is truly better because of you." When De Niro finally took the stage to accept his award, he complimented Lawrence on her activism, and said, "If I were a lesbian, I'd be all over you."
Unexpected celebrity performer: Justin Timberlake
Not only did Timberlake surprise Cannes Film Festival attendees with an acoustic performance of Cyndi Lauper's True Colors, but a few days later, he shocked Eurovision viewers by appearing on the international competition show to sing Rock Your Body and Can't Stop the Feeling last Saturday.
Biggest hair on tour: Sia
Many artists make costume changes at their shows. For Sia, we expect major wig swaps. The Australian pop artist who tends to hide her face behind giant hair in public, announced her first headlining arena tour this week. Miguel and AlunaGeorge will provide support on the 22-city North American tour, which kicks off on Sept. 29 in Seattle, WA. The tour name: Nostalgic for the Present.
MVP of game night: Christina Aguilera
During her appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Monday, Aguilera showed off her musical impressions in a round of Heads Up!, DeGeneres' addictive app game. "(The category is) female singers, and you are gonna sing, and I'm gonna try to guess who it is that the singer is," the talk show host told her guest. Some of the Voice coach's successful impersonations: Adele, Rihanna, Madonna, Katy Perry and Beyonce.