Imagine being a kid watching an awards show, and thinking, “I have the talent, but I’ll NEVER be on that stage because I’m gay, and they won’t accept me.” That’s what T.J. OSBORNE went through every single time he tuned in. He talked about it at the CMAs. Quote, “For many years I would watch this show, year after year, and I always thought how incredible it’d be, and I’d dream of being here on this stage. There were so many things that were hurdles for me. “And I always truthfully felt like it would never be possible because of my sexuality to be here. And I just wish . . . I wish! . . . my younger me could see me now [being] so accepted and loved by my peers.” T.J. came out back in February, but still struggled with the idea of bringing his partner to the show. In the end, he knew he HAD to. “I was like, ‘I hope this doesn’t make anyone uncomfortable, but this is how I feel.’ I love this person, and I want to be open in every way. Hopefully [it can] show people that they also don’t need to hide or alter themselves in any way.”
How many people watched Wednesday’s CMAs? According to Nielsen, the show pulled in 6.83 million viewers, which was DOWN from last year’s 7.08 million. They did win their overall primetime spot, so there’s that. But this continues the trend of people avoiding awards shows.
LUKE COMBS forgot to thank his wife Nicole during his Entertainer of the Year acceptance speech on Wednesday. He made up for it later in an interview backstage. Quote, “I did forget to thank my wife out there which, babe, I love you, you know I love you. I don’t even have to say it, you know I love you.”
If you watched the commercials during Wednesday’s CMAs, you may have noticed the announcement that CARLY PEARCE and GABBY BARRETT are co-hosting this year’s “CMA Country Christmas”. The show airs November 29th on ABC.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD and JASON ALDEAN rocked their performance of “If I Didn’t Love You” on the CMAs. And they’re going to ride that momentum by performing it again on “The American Music Awards”. It’s going down November 21st on ABC.
WILLIE NELSON did a Quick Quiz on yesterday’s “Today Show”. It started with JENNA BUSH HAGER giving him this choice: A haircut or a new guitar. He said, “I’d cut the hair off, it’ll grow back.” Asked about his “surprise” musical choices he said he loves everything from bluegrass to classical. And if he wasn’t a musician, he would’ve gone into the martial arts.
JOSH TURNER cast “real life heroes” in his “Soldier’s Gift” video. He says, quote, “[It] gave me an even greater appreciation for all those that serve our country and the Wounded Warrior Project that serves our veterans. (“Soldier’s Gift” is on his Christmas album, “King Size Manger”.)
BLAKE SHELTON is opening an Ole Red location in Las Vegas in 2023.
In case you missed it, DUSTIN LYNCH and MACKENZIE PORTER performed “Thinking ‘Bout You” on Tuesday’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live”.
PARIS HILTON got married yesterday. Not much info is available yet, but we know celebrity attendees included Emma Roberts, Kyle Richards, Paula Abdul, Evan Ross, and Bebe Rexha.
CAM NEWTON is back with the Carolina Panthers . . . And ODELL BECKHAM JR. has signed with the L.A. Rams.
Anne Hathaway is 39.
Ryan Gosling is 41
Cote de Pablo is 42. Ziva David on “NCIS”.
Tonya Harding is 51.
Sammy Sosa is 53.
Nadia Comaneci is 60
Megan Mullally is 63. Karen on “Will & Grace”.
Neil Young is 76.
Al Michaels is 77. He also had the classic line during the 1980 Olympic hockey game, in which the U.S. beat the Soviets, quote, “Do you believe in miracles? YES!”
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