Jeriann Tripodi, Editor

Header Image: Complex.com

Welcome to the wonderful world of entertainment. The following news includes highlights of celebrities, television, movies and music this week.

Will Smith resigns from the Academy

            Actor Will Smith made headlines during the Academy Awards after he went onstage to slap comedian Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife’s struggles with hair loss. According to TMZ, Rock “didn’t know” Smith’s wife had alopecia. Later that night, Smith won an Oscar. He took home the award for Best Actor for his starring role in “King Richard.” According to Variety, the Academy is reviewing the incident and will make a decision later this month. Smith has since voluntarily left the organization, meaning he will lose membership perks.

Bruce Willis retires from acting amid aphasia diagnosis

            “Die Hard” star Bruce Willis will be retiring from his acting career due to health issues. The 67-year-old’s family made the announcement through Instagram. The collective statement mentioned how the action actor’s cognitive abilities have been impacted by aphasia, which he has recently been diagnosed with. Willis, who was one of the most notable movie stars of the late 1980s and 90s, is receiving ongoing support from his worldwide fan base. Emma Heming Willis, expressed gratitude for her husband’s fans’ love and kindness on her Instagram story.

Katy Perry hilariously covers up wardrobe malfunction during performance

            Pop singer and “American Idol” judge Katy Perry performed her 2010 hit song “Teenage Dream” for contestants on a recent episode of the hit ABC singing reality competition series. While singing the lyrics, “skin tight jeans,” the back of her pants literally ripped. The contestants in the audience were in shock. Country singer and fellow judge Luke Bryan laughed and told the crowd, “they busted.” Perry played the malfunction off as she humorously asked for some tape. She then allowed the crew to tape up the back of her pants in front of the audience.

John Carney to direct Bee Gees biopic

            “Sing Street” and “Once” director John Carney is set to direct Paramount Pictures’ upcoming Bee Gees biopic, according to Deadline. Carney is replacing “Belfast” director Kenneth Branagh, who backed out due to scheduling conflicts. The original screenwriter, Ben Elton, also departed from the project for similar reasons. Elton is being replaced by three-time Oscar nominee and playwright John Logan. This untitled film will follow the personal lives and musical success of the trio, which consisted of Australian brothers named Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. Throughout their active years, the Bee Gees encompassed different genres, such as pop, soul, R&B, soft rock and disco. They dominated the charts from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. The only surviving Gibb brother, Barry, will be an executive producer on this biopic.

Number one on the Billboard charts: week of April 9, 2022

            According to “The Hot 100” on the charts, the number one song in the U.S. is “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals. During its 63rd week on the charts, this pop song remains at the top spot for the fifth week in a row. According to the “Billboard 200,” the number one album in the U.S. is “Mainstream Sellout” by Machine Gun Kelly. This alternative album is at the top spot during its first week on the charts.

Thank you for reading this week’s “What’s Trending.” If you’ve enjoyed this article, be sure to watch La Salle Tv’s “Backstage Pass” for more celebrity and entertainment news and content. Check out the student-produced show on its YouTube channel, LaSalleTv Philly. You can also watch “Backstage Pass” twice a day on channel 56 on Comcast. The times are as follows: