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George Clooney and More Stars Match the Rock’s $1 Million SAG Donation on August 2, 2023 at 8:42 pm Us Weekly

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George Clooney, Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and Dwayne Johnson Shutterstock (4)

More Hollywood A-listers are matching Dwayne The Rock” Johnson’s $1 million donation to the SAG-AFTRA fund, more Hollywood A-listers are following suit. 

“The entertainment industry is in crisis and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation is currently processing more than 30 times our usual number of applications for emergency aid. We received 400 applications in the last week alone,”  SAG-AFTRA Foundation president Courtney B. Vance told Variety in a Wednesday, August 2, statement about the nonprofit’s successful fundraising efforts. “It’s a massive challenge, but we’re determined to meet this moment.”

Since the actors’ guild officially went on strike last month, the SAG Foundation has raised more than $15 million for its emergency financial assistance program — greatly in part to some of Hollywood’s top-earning actors. Among those who have donated are George and Amal Clooney, Luciana Barroso and Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, Julia Roberts, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Meryl Streep

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Celebrities are following in the footsteps of Johnson, 51, who recently contributed a seven-figure amount to the organization, which can deliver grants of up to $1,500 per member. (In other cases, a lifetime union member could receive up to $6,000 in emergency assistance if in serious jeopardy.) At the time, the foundation’s executive director, Cyd Wilson, told Variety that Johnson’s donation was the “largest single donation” the organization has ever received from one person. 

Celebrities Who’ve Joined the SAG-AFTRA Strike Picket Lines

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“I appealed to our community to remember how tough it was coming up, and the response to help their fellow performers has been incredible, immediate and heartwarming,” Vance continued in his statement on Wednesday, noting that Johnson, 51, “helped kick-start this campaign.” He also gave thanks to Streep, 74, and George, 62, who “stepped up with $1 million donations, emails and many calls-to-action rallying others to give generously.”

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Vance announced that thanks to the latest donations, the SAG Foundation has “crushed our initial goal” — but the work still isn’t done. “Our fundraising will continue in order to meet the overwhelming needs of our community now and in the future,” he concluded. 

“I remember my days as a waiter, cleaner, typist, even my time on the unemployment line,” Streep told Variety on Wednesday, detailing why it’s important for her to give back. “In this strike action, I am lucky to be able to support those who will struggle in a long action to sustain against Goliath. We will stand strong together against these powerful corporations who are bent on taking the humanity, the human dignity, even the human out of our profession. I am proudest of my fellow actors who have immediately offered to fund the Emergency Financial Assistance Program.”

George, for his part, released his own statement on July 13 before the strike began. “We stand ready to get back to the table and make a fair deal with the AMPTP,” he said. “Until then, I’m proud to be able to support the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and my fellow actors who may be struggling in this historic moment. We’ve stood on the shoulders of the likes of Bette Davis and Jimmy Cagney and it’s time for our generation to give something back.”

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He thanked Vance in particular for “his determination in putting this effort together by shedding light on the human toll happening right now, and how we can work together to alleviate some of the pain and suffering” from those currently struggling without work.

The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has been on strike since July 14 over an ongoing dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The guild’s issues are regarding fairer wages, streaming residuals, artificial intelligence and other topics that could not be agreed upon by the AMPTP when drawing up a new contract. 

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Every Cast Reunion at SAG-AFTRA Picket Line

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SAG members took to the picket lines two months after the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on its own strike over similar disputes with the AMPTP. It marks the first time that both the actors and writers unions have been on strike together since 1960. 

Beyond large donations, many celebrities have found their own ways to show their solidarity for both strikes, by either picketing outside New York City and Los Angeles-based studios or getting candid about their experiences in the industry. 

Mandy Moore, who starred as Rebecca Pearson for six seasons on the critically acclaimed show This Is Us, explained during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last month that actors could be surviving on residuals between projects if they are paid fairly — but that’s not typically the case. 

“We’re in incredibly fortunate positions as working actors having been on shows that found tremendous success in one way or another … but many actors in our position for years before us were able to live off of residuals or at least pay their bills,” she told the outlet, adding that she received “very tiny, like, 81-cent checks” for streaming residuals for the NBC hit. 

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1st TV Shows Impacted by 2023 Writers Guild of America Strike

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Robert Carradine, who starred on Lizzie McGuire alongside Hilary Duff, brought his own receipts in support of the strike, sharing a photo via Instagram last week that revealed he earned “$0.00” in residuals for the show in August 2019, despite the entire series being available to stream on Disney+

More Hollywood A-listers are matching Dwayne The Rock” Johnson’s $1 million donation to the SAG-AFTRA fund, more Hollywood A-listers are following suit.  “The entertainment industry is in crisis and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation is currently processing more than 30 times our usual number of applications for emergency aid. We received 400 applications in the last week 

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Entertainment

Ye’s Super Bowl Ad Followed by Swastika T-Shirt: Controversy Escalates

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Kanye West, now legally known as Ye, has sparked widespread outrage following a Super Bowl commercial promoting his website, which is currently selling a single item: a $20 white T-shirt featuring a black swastika. This move has drawn sharp criticism from organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and social media users, further escalating concerns over Ye’s recent behavior and statements.

Key Details of the Controversy:

The controversy underscores Ye’s increasingly erratic behavior and his ongoing alienation from fans and collaborators.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

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Taylor Swift Booed at Super Bowl

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At Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Taylor Swift, supporting her boyfriend Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, was met with boos when shown on the jumbotron at the Caesars Superdome. The crowd’s reaction, largely attributed to Philadelphia Eagles fans, occurred during the game between the Chiefs and the Eagles.

Swift, accompanied by friends like Ice Spice, seemed surprised but remained unbothered by the negative reception. She gave the crowd a side-eye as she shook off the negativity. Serena Williams quickly came to Swift’s defense, posting on X, “I love you @taylorswift 13 don’t listen to those boos!!!”.

The booing has been attributed to several factors:

  • Chiefs Fatigue: With the Chiefs making their fifth Super Bowl appearance in six years, some speculate that the public is growing weary of the team.

Following the incident, Donald Trump also commented on the situation, sharing a post mocking Swift on Truth Social and claiming that his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement was responsible for the boos. He contrasted the crowd’s reaction to Swift with the cheers he received when shown on the jumbotron.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

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Decoding Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Performance

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Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show was a groundbreaking performance that redefined expectations for the event. The Compton rapper delivered a complex, narrative-driven set that blended artistic expression with pointed social commentary.

Key Elements of the Performance

Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam: The show opened with Jackson dressed as Uncle Sam, representing traditional American expectations for the halftime show. This character served as a foil to Lamar’s performance throughout the set.

Musical Choices: Lamar surprised audiences by heavily featuring tracks from his recent album “GNX” rather than relying solely on older hits. He also performed an unreleased track called “Bodies” at the start of his set.

Visual Storytelling: The performance incorporated intricate choreography and visual elements, including dancers in red, white, and blue forming an American flag during “HUMBLE”.

Political Commentary: Lamar’s set included subtle and overt political messages, addressing themes of race and cultural divide. He referenced Gil Scott-Heron’s “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” flipping it to say, “The revolution ’bout to be televised”.

The Drake Feud

A significant focus of the performance was Lamar’s ongoing feud with Drake:

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Cultural Impact

Lamar’s performance was historic as the first solo rapper to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. His approach challenged the typical format of the event, prioritizing artistic expression and social commentary over a simple greatest hits medley.

The show demonstrated Lamar’s ability to balance complex narratives and challenging themes with mass appeal, solidifying his position as a leading figure in contemporary hip-hop and popular culture.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

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