GRUNGECAKE

08/09/2025

The Weeknd announces 2026 tour dates

If you’re around with free time, you ought to witness it live.

08/09/2025

Watch Lady Gaga’s theatrical performances of ‘Abracadabra’ and ‘The Dead Dance’ at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards

We celebrate Lady Gaga endlessly, as her concern and support for the general public always seems to come first.

08/09/2025

: Nearly two months after a viral kiss-cam clip disrupted what should have been a normal Coldplay concert, the personal fallout continues to make headlines. Kristin Cabot, 52, whose embrace with Astronomer CEO Andy Byron was caught on camera, has filed for divorce from husband Andrew Cabot, 60.

The filing took place around August 13, 2025, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, hitting the spotlight less than a month after the footage made headlines.

Kristin was Andrew’s third wife. His second wife, Julia Cabot, aged 63, offered a predictably sarcastic response when interviewed by the Daily Mail.

“I got loads of texts from people who heard what happened, and 99% of them said the same word: Karma”, she remarked.

Julia emphasised that Andrew has always been primarily focused on money, and suggests he may dismiss the scandal as merely an embarrassing moment rather than a crisis.

Their relationship history adds further context. Andrew and Julia were married in 2014 but divorced four years later in a drawn-out legal battle over assets, which concluded in 2020. Julia walked away with roughly $1 million from the sale of their home, plus $600,000 in cash and a Jaguar.

Sources close to Andrew say he was overseas in Japan on business when the scandal broke—and only learned of it three days later. Whilst some insiders claim the couple had been experiencing issues for months and discussed separation, others assert that “just a month earlier, they were telling everyone how in love they were.”

Meanwhile, Andy Byron’s wife, Megan, reportedly left their shared home immediately after the scandal surfaced. Neither she nor Andy has filed for divorce, though their relationship’s future remains uncertain.

📸: /calebu2/TMX/Fox News

08/09/2025

Watch Doja Cat's sultry performance of 'Jealous Type' with Kenny G at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards

Giving the world an outstanding performance isn’t new for American superstar!

04/09/2025

: Veteran radio icon Howard Stern has unexpectedly postponed his much-anticipated return to The Howard Stern Show. Initially slated to resume on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the show’s social media accounts instead announced that Stern will now “speak Monday, September 8”.

Reports indicate the delay stems from a deeply personal “family emergency”, with insiders suggesting Stern’s advanced-age mother—who is reportedly around 97 years old—is facing serious health issues.

Whilst Stern has not addressed the matter publicly, previous broadcasts have shown he is emotionally affected by her declining condition, describing it as “deeply distressing”.

Concurrently, speculation is mounting over Stern’s future with SiriusXM. His current five-year contract, reportedly worth $500 million, is set to expire by the end of 2025. Multiple sources suggest that SiriusXM may be unwilling or unable to match such a lucrative deal in light of shifting industry economics and declining listenership.

Some insiders hint that SiriusXM could aim to retain access to Stern’s extensive show archives rather than renewing his costly on-air agreement.

There are also rumours that Stern’s delay may serve as a high-drama promotional stunt amid swirling cancellation talk. One source described it as “manufacturing drama” to rekindle interest, though whether that characterisation is accurate remains unclear.

As of now, no official statements have been issued by Stern or SiriusXM. Fans await his new return date—Monday, September 8—to see whether he will address both the family matter and the pressing questions surrounding his career’s next chapter.

📸: Jason Koerner/Getty Images

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04/09/2025

: In a moving conversation on The Oprah Podcast, Demi Moore—Bruce Willis’ ex-wife—shared heartfelt support for Emma Heming Willis, who is navigating the challenges of caring for her husband following his frontotemporal dementia (FTD) diagnosis. Moore praised Emma’s strength, describing her caregiving approach as “masterful”, and underscoring the need for caregivers to prioritise their own well-being: “If they don’t put that time into making sure that they’re okay, then they can’t show up for anyone else.”

Bruce Willis, who retired from acting in 2022 after being diagnosed with aphasia, received an FTD diagnosis in early 2023. As his condition progressed, the family made the difficult choice to move him into a nearby one-story home equipped with 24-hour professional care—creating a peaceful setting for him, whilst allowing Emma’s young daughters, Mabel (13) and Evelyn (11), to maintain a stable home life.

In a candid interview with People, Emma spoke about the toll of caregiving and how the new arrangement has eased family life: “It brought calm into all our lives—allowed me to return as a wife, and let our daughters just be kids again.”

Despite facing criticism for this decision, Emma defended it firmly, reminding the public that caregiving dynamics are deeply personal.

“If they don’t have the experience … they don’t get a say”, she asserted in an Instagram post.
Emma’s forthcoming memoir, ‘The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path’, aims to offer guidance and solace for others in similar caregiving roles.
Moore’s compassionate remarks, Emma’s advocacy, and the family’s resilience all highlight the importance of empathy, adaptation, and unity when facing the profound uncertainties of dementia.

📸: IMDb, /emmahemingwillis

frontotemporal dementia

04/09/2025

: In a notable development for the music industry, Jack White is selling a stake in his catalogue to Sony Music, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Whilst specifics such as the size of the stake or financial terms were not disclosed, sources confirm that this transaction is limited in scope—implying White retains significant control over his work.

This move marks an intriguing turn for White, known for his fiercely independent approach to music ownership. Over the years, he’s steadfastly maintained ownership of his recordings, building his Third Man Records label to reinforce that control. The partial sale may signal a strategic shift—possibly aimed at unlocking value, boosting licensing capacity, or expanding his music’s reach without compromising his sovereignty as an artist.

The timing of this agreement positions it among several similar high-profile music catalogue deals in recent years. For reference, Queen’s catalogue commanded approximately $1.27 billion in 2024, whilst Bruce Springsteen’s deal with Sony rang in at half a billion. Pink Floyd’s catalogue also fetched around $400 million that same year. Though the details of White’s deal remain private, the growing trend underscores the escalating worth—and business relevance—of artist catalogues in the streaming era.

Fans and industry observers on Reddit have already been weighing in.

One commenter expressed surprise at White’s willingness to sell, writing, “The source says he still maintains control of his recordings so it wouldn’t have been a giant piece or all of the ownership”.

Others noted that such arrangements often bring windfalls whilst preserving legacy and simplifying future estate planning.

Whilst many await more clarity on what exactly was sold, the transaction highlights a broader shift: Music catalogue ownership is increasingly viewed not just as an artistic badge of honour, but also as a strategic asset. For Jack White, this appears to be a calculated balance—leveraging benefit from his musical empire whilst continuing to retain its core.

📸: /officialjackwhite

04/09/2025

: In a tantalising mixture of optimism and coy mystery, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently hinted that Pop megastar Taylor Swift could soon grace the Super Bowl halftime stage. During a September 3, 2025, appearance on NBC’s ‘Today’ show, Goodell remarked, “We would always love to have Taylor play. She is a special, special talent, and obviously, she would be welcome at any time.” However, when asked if plans were in motion, he side-stepped the question with a playful “It’s a maybe.”

Goodell also pointed to JAY Z—and his company Roc Nation—as holding the reins on the halftime show lineup. “I’m waiting on my friend JAY Z”, he quipped, referencing Roc Nation’s role since 2019 as the NFL’s live-music entertainment strategist.

Fan excitement has skyrocketed in the wake of Swift’s recent engagement announcement to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, which has further cemented her visibility in NFL circles. Compounding the buzz, Swift’s recent comments about baking sourdough during the ‘New Heights’ podcast have fuelled speculation. Fans suggest it was a clever Easter egg nodding both to the Super Bowl LX venue—Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, home of the 49ers—and the 60th Super Bowl (LX). “Sourdough Sam”, the stadium’s mascot, and the “60% of the time” remark—allegedly referencing Super Bowl LX—have only added to the excitement.

Whilst nothing is confirmed yet, the timing is intriguing. Swift is set to release her 12th studio album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl’, on October 3. An official announcement of her performing at the Super Bowl Halftime Show would deliver a blockbuster moment, blending Pop culture spectacle with football’s grandest stage.

📸: Getty Images for the Recording A

04/09/2025

: Legendary Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani has died at the age of 91. Today, September 4, 2025, the Armani Group confirmed that their visionary founder passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after a period of illness.

Armani—affectionately known as “Re Giorgio”—revolutionised modern fashion with his minimalist, deconstructed tailoring and unlined jackets, defining a timeless elegance beloved across the globe. His influence was felt from Hollywood’s red carpets to executive boardrooms.

The fashion house noted that Armani worked tirelessly up to his final days, remaining at the helm of his creative empire. A memorial chamber will be opened in Milan this weekend, with a private funeral to follow.

Armani’s legacy endures in the enduring simplicity and refined power of his designs—a testament to the enduring impact of one of fashion’s greatest pioneers.

📸: AFP via Getty Images

03/09/2025

: The long-awaited film adaptation of Britney Spears’ 2023 memoir, ‘The Woman in Me’, remains stalled amid concerns over the star’s emotional readiness to relive her past on screen. Acquired in a high-stakes auction by Universal Pictures and set to be directed by Jon M Chu of ‘Wicked’ fame, the project once sparked immense excitement among fans.

Insiders now reveal that the biopic is “grinding to a halt”. Whilst Universal is still on board, progress has slowed as Spears grapples with the emotional weight of revisiting deeply personal and traumatic events—including her conservatorship, battles with substance abuse, and a private abortion—on the big screen.

Jon M Chu, who is juggling other high-profile projects, acknowledged the delicate balance between honouring Spears’ story with empathy and moving forward with production. He emphasised Spears’ involvement in shaping the script and production to ensure the story is told compassionately.

The entire production remains in its earliest stages, with no cast or release date announced yet. Dreams of a gripping cinematic portrayal of Spears’ rise, struggles, conservatorship battle, and eventual triumph hang in the balance as creators and the star work toward a shared vision.
In the meantime, fans are left in anticipation—hopeful that the project, when it does move forward, will honour Britney’s story with the sensitivity, authenticity, and respect it profoundly deserves.

📸: /britneyspears

03/09/2025

: In a decision handed down on September 3, 2025, a federal judge in Boston declared that the Trump administration acted unlawfully when it revoked approximately $2.2 billion in research grants awarded to Harvard University.

Presiding over the case, US District Judge Allison Burroughs delivered a significant legal victory for the university, ruling that the administration can no longer terminate such funding—a move that could potentially bring an end to a prolonged dispute pitting national academic freedom against executive branch overreach.

Harvard had become a target in the administration’s broader campaign to pressure universities perceived to harbor antisemitic or “radical left” ideologies. The administration had singled out Harvard—alongside other Ivy League institutions—for action following pro-Palestinian protests sparked by the Israel–Gaza conflict.

Earlier, Columbia University settled with the administration by agreeing to pay $220 million to restore federal research funding that had been previously cut. In contrast, Harvard resisted similar demands, prompting the administration to escalate enforcement.

As part of its pressure tactics, the administration demanded sweeping changes from Harvard—including restructuring its governance and altering hiring and admissions policies to ensure ideological “balance”. These demands, Harvard argued, amounted to unconstitutional interference with the university’s academic autonomy and violated First Amendment protections.

Judge Burroughs noted that efforts to control funding based on institutional viewpoints and internal governance decisions go beyond permissible government oversight, reaffirming that such actions exceeded lawful authority.

This ruling underscores the judiciary’s role in upholding institutional independence amid politically charged attempts to influence higher education. It potentially sets a precedent for future cases involving executive-branch constraints on research institutions.

📸: Harvard University, EPA

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03/09/2025

: On September 3, 2025, Aylo—the operator of Pornhub.com and several affiliated adult websites—reached a significant settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the state of Utah over failing to adequately block child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and non-consensual material (NCM) on its platforms.

Under the proposed agreement, Aylo must create and maintain a comprehensive content safety programme to prevent the upload and distribution of CSAM and NCM. Additionally, the company is required to deliver a $5 million penalty to the state of Utah. The FTC emphasised that the settlement targets profound concerns around user protection and consent in adult content environments.

Details of the settlement underscore prior systemic failures by Aylo. The FTC and Utah charged that, despite marketing a “zero-tolerance” policy, the company failed to consistently review flagged content or block repeat offenders. Reports revealed that before December 2020, anyone could upload content—including materials featuring “young girl” themes—with minimal oversight. Audits from 2020 uncovered tens of thousands of CSAM and non-consensual videos on the platform.

As part of the agreement, Aylo must implement measures ensuring all individuals in its content are verified adults who have freely consented. The settlement also mandates independent third-party audits over the next ten years, with a potential additional $10 million fine looming if Aylo fails to comply.

The FTC framed this action as a heightened regulatory focus on protecting children online, illustrating a broader government commitment to internet safety. Aylo, in its defense, pointed to existing collaborations with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the use of video fingerprinting to curb reuploads—but acknowledged that strengthened safeguards remain essential.

As of now, the settlement remains under review—marking a pivotal moment in the fight against online exploitation and a warning signal to other platforms that fail to safeguard vulnerable users.

📸: Cath Virginia/The Verge