Celeb superlatives: Royals take to the snow
Paste BN's Kelly Lawler digs through the latest celebrity news for highlights ... and lowlights. Think high school yearbook superlatives — if Duchess Kate and Lady Gaga were classmates.
Cutest family photo: The Royals
Everyone stop whatever you're doing, because Will and Kate have shared photos from their family ski trip. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge gifted the world with the most adorable snapshot of their royal family on vacation in the French Alps (as they do). Bonus: It's their first vacation as a family of four. Judging by the pictures, it looks like a great time was had by all, including Prince George and Princess Charlotte in the winter wonderland retreat. “This was their first holiday as a family of four and the first time either of the children have played in the snow,” the palace said in a statement. What lucky snow, right?
Most low-key awards announcement: Jimmy Kimmel
Hold on to your mean tweets, guys, because Kimmel is hosting the 2016 Emmy Awards. The pick makes sense, considering the ceremony is set to air on Kimmel's own network, ABC, on Sept. 18. (When it was on Fox last year, Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Andy Samberg hosted; when it was on NBC the year before, Seth Meyers hosted). But the host announced his own gig with considerably less fanfare than the awards themselves, making an appearance on Good Morning America and sending this simple tweet: "I am hosting the #Emmys on Sunday Sept 18. Until then, have a great summer." Have a great summer too, Jimmy.
Best anniversary celebration: Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris
Has it been a year already for one of our favorite celeb couples? Time sure flies when you're smooching at awards shows and riding pool swans bareback. But it's true, and the couple celebrated being together for 365 days in the cutest way possible. Tay shared an Instagram with her followers of what we're thinking is really thoughtful gift from her beau: a beautiful gold locket in a heart shape and engraved with the date of their anniversary. Thanks again, Ellie Goulding for setting them up.
Best advice: Lee Daniels to Jussie Smollett
Smollett, who plays Jamal Lyon on Fox’s hit drama series Empire, was at the ninth annual BET Honors to pay tribute to Empire co-creator Lee Daniels. Daniels received a golden statuette for his contributions to television and film and was treated to Smollett's stirring rendition of Empire's single, Powerful, as well as Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror. He also told Paste BN the best advice the showrunner ever gave him. “Just tell the truth,” Smollett said. “That’s it. You know, it’s so simple. The thought of it is so simple, but it’s so hard to do sometimes. That’s what Lee is about. That’s what his art is about. He represents that.”
Coldest date: Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney
After taking a dip in Chicago's icy Lake Michigan last year, Gaga and her fiancé went back into the frigid water for the annual Polar Plunge. Kinney, the Chicago Fire star, bravely faced the cold shirtless; Gaga, meanwhile, got carried into the water, like the superstar she is. The event — which at 40 degrees is slightly warmer this year than it has been in the past — raises money for the Special Olympics. Gaga posted to Instagram after the event: "We love the city of Chicago and the Polar Plunge for The Special Olympics. These men and women are brave and powerful. Me and Taylor love getting cold in your honor every year."