andPOP » dolly parton

Billy Elliot Leads In Tony Noms

Ilan Mester — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:22:16 +0000

The stage adaptation scored by Elton John of the Oscar nominated movie “Billy Elliot” danced away with 15 Tony Award nominations, leading in nods.

John and Dolly Parton compete for Best Original Score for “Billy Elliot” and “9 to 5.” The ballet-themed play will also go up against “Shrek The Musical,” “Next to Normal” and “Rock of Ages” for the Best Musical category.

Nominated stars include James Gandolfini, Jeff Daniels, Allison Janney, Geoffrey Rush, Martha Plimpton, Angela Lansbury, Jane Fonda, Hope Davis, Raúl Esparza, former “American Idol” finalist Constantine Maroulis among other performers.

“Hair” received a nod for Best Musical Revival and will compete against “Guys and Dolls,” the bilingual production of “West Side Story” and “Pal Joey” for the award.

This year, the Leading Actor in a Musical category has more names than usual due to the triple nomination for David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish who rotate playing the lead role in “Billy Elliot”.

For the complete list of nominees, visit: www.TonyAwards.com.

Dolly Parton: I Have A Happy Open Marriage

andPOP Staff — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 14:12:30 +0000

How do you make a marriage last for 41 years? When you’re Dolly Parton, you cheat!

According to DListed, while opening a children’s library in Rotherham, UK, Dolly made statements about having an open marriage. “If we cheat we don’t know it, so if we do cheat, it’s very good for both us. I don’t want to know it, if he’s cheating on me. If I’m cheating on him, he wouldn’t want to know it. And if we do, if that’s what’s making it work, then that’s fine too.”

That’s not the only pot Parton was stirring on her visit overseas. The Rotherham Council voted to postpone their meeting so they could meet her. An angry member of the council stated, “I am outraged that democracy is being put on hold for a celebrity.”

Jessica Simpson’s Dolly Tribute Axed

andPOP Staff — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 22:21:58 +0000

After realizing she’s made a bigger idiot of herself than even she thought possible, Jessica Simpson has requested her Dolly Parton tribute performance be removed from an upcoming broadcast.

Chestica screwed up the words to the classic Dolly ditty “9 to 5″ at this month’s Kennedy Center Honors. She mumbled something about being so nervous and performed the song once more in a version to be used in the broadcast.

It’s pretty hard to feel bad for you, Jess, when it’s your flippin’ job to perform in high-pressure situations (i.e. in front of people). I pulled out my Team Lachey t-shirt when I heard you apparently also messed up the words on your second try.

She’s now opted to have the whole she-bang axed, reports TMZ.com.

“She really wasn’t happy with her performance and she did want it to be perfect for Dolly, who she idolizes,” Jess’ publicist Cindi Berger said in a statement.

The Kennedy Center apparently had no problems cutting out Jess’ performance, saying in a statement: “… we respect the high standards she has for herself and that of the Kennedy Center Honors.”

The ceremony will be broadcast Dec. 26 on CBS, but J.Simps’ vocal faux pas can be easily viewed on YouTube.

Jessica Simpson Gets a Second Chance at a Dolly Parton Classic

andPOP Staff — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 18:58:23 +0000

Viewers won’t get to see Jessica Simpson’s erroneous performance during a tribute to Dolly Parton.

Simspon messed up Parton’s classic 9 to 5 despite the help of cue cards waving in front of her face.

She became noticeably distraught when she messed up a line ending the song saying, “Dolly, you make me so nervous. I can’t even sing the words right.”

Simpson’s rep Cindi Berger explained she put too much pressure on herself. “She wanted the song to be perfect and she was upset with herself when it wasn’t.”

The pop princess was at The Kennedy Centre paying homage to Dolly Parton, one of five honorees. Others included filmmaker Steven Spielberg, Motown great Smokey Robinson, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and conductor Zubin Mehta.

Simpson got a second go after asking organizers if she could sing the song again.

The error-less performance can be seen Dec. 26 on CBS.