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Attention true crime lovers: there’s a new TV series that might become your next obsession. The Truth About Pam, starring Renée Zellwellger, Josh Duhamel, Judy Free and Katy Mixon, premieres on NBC on Tuesday (March 8).
Zellwellger plays convicted killer, Pam Hupp, in the six-episode series which centers around the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria.
Hupp, Betsy’s former coworker, was accused in the deadly stabbing but has never been convicted of her murder. Betsy’s husband, Russ Faria, was wrongfully convicted and later freed for his wife’s murder. Meanwhile, Hupp is currently serving a life sentence for a separate murder.
According to St. Louis’ Fox 2 News, Hupp was a star witness for prosecutors at Russ’ trial. Hupp also drove Betsy home the night she died and was the sole beneficiary to her $150,000 life insurance policy, the report states.
How to Watch ‘The Thing About Pam’ Online
The Thing About Pam will air on NBC at 10 p.m. EST. If you already have cable, you can watch the series live or on-demand. If you don’t have cable (or an antenna) and happen to miss the live premiere, you can also stream The Thing About Pam on Peacock beginning Wednesday (March 9).
Peacock memberships starts at $4.99 a month for the Premium, ad-supported package that unlocks thousands of hours of movies and TV shows, including Peacock Originals like Joe vs. Carole and Bel-Air, along with daily news, sports and pop culture content, kid’s shows and movies, Spanish-language series, and live sporting events (including Premier League and WWE). The Thing About Pam will be available on Hulu as well.
Peacock Premium Plus will cost you $9.99 a month for everything in the Premium package, along with access to exclusive films like Mary Me, starring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson. With Peacock Premium Plus, subscribers can watch ad-free programs and download content to stream offline from your laptop, TV, smartphone or another compatible device.
For cable cutters looking for more variety, Sling TV has live channels and starts at $35 a month after a free three-day trial. Depending on which package you choose, Sling subscribers get at least 32 channels including NBC (in select markets) as well A&E, Bravo, Lifetime, MTV, BET, VH1, E!, Freeform, TLC and other cable channels, plus 50 hours of DVR storage.
Hulu + Live is a great choice for live television and a budget-friendly option for anyone ready to make the switch from cable. It costs $69.99 a month to watch live and on-demand programs including sports, news, hit movies and current episodes of network shows from NBC, ABC and other networks, in addition to everything on Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+.
You might say recording engineer Hill Kourkoutis got a head start on celebrating International Women’s Day.
Last week, when the nominations were announced for the 51st Juno Awards, Kourkoutis became the first woman to be nominated for recording engineer of the year. The award has been presented every year since 1976.
Kourkoutis is nominated for engineering Tania Joy’s “The Drought” and SATE’s “Howler,” which she also produced and co-wrote. In addition, SATE’s The Fool, which she also produced, is nominated for alternative album of the year.
“I feel deeply honoured and grateful to the Junos and those who nominated me in this category,” Kourkoutis said in a statement to Billboard. “I truly believe this is a turning point in our industry and as visibility and representation increases and more opportunities are presented, we will be seeing many more women being recognized for their incredible work in the technical fields. There is so much talent within our community and we have barely scratched the surface–this is an exciting time, and I am looking forward to what the future holds.”
Kourkoutis is competing for recording engineer of the year with Evan Miles, another first-time nominee; and three past winners of the award – Serban Ghenea, who won last year; George Seara, the 2012 winner; and John ‘Beetle’ Bailey, who won in both 2007 and 2020.
This breakthrough comes 23 years after Trina Shoemaker became the first female engineer to receive a Grammy nomination – and also a Grammy Award — for best engineered album, non-classical for her work on Sheryl Crow’s The Globe Sessions (1998).
Two more women have since also won Grammys in the category. Imogen Heap won for engineering her own album Ellipse (2009). Emily Lazar won as a mastering engineer on Beck’s Colors (2018).
Wendy Carlos was the first woman to receive a Grammy nomination – and also a Grammy Award — in the equivalent classical category, best engineered album, classical, for her work on her own hit album Switched-On Bach (1969).
Leslie Ann Jones is the only three-time winner for best engineered album, classical. She has won three times since 2010.
Kourkoutis is a producer, songwriter, composer, artist, musician, and director who works out of her Toronto studio, The Lair.
Kourkoutis played on, produced and mixed Leela Gilday’s North Star Calling, which won a Juno Award last year for contemporary roots album of the year.
Kourkoutis has also produced and engineered recordings by Royal Wood, Jules, POESY, Digging Roots, Cassie Dasilva, SATE, Madison Violet, Pavlo and Martha and the Muffins. She has done remixes for July Talk, Adam Cohen, Dear Rouge, Good Lovelies and Jill Barber.
As a musician, Kourkoutis has played with such artists as The Weeknd, Serena Ryder and Tara Slone. For two seasons, she performed as lead guitarist in the house band on the CTV series, The Launch.
Along with Ryder, she produced and co-wrote the theme song and the end title song for Universal Kids’ Remy and Boo, an animated children’s television show. Hill produced and co-wrote the theme song for Disney’s Dino Ranch, a pre-school children’s series. She is currently in the studio collaborating with Damhnait Doyle on songs for upcoming TV series.
Kourkoutis is managed by Joe D’Ambrosio. She is signed to Daytripper Music Publishing, the new music publishing division of CCS Rights Management. She inked her first worldwide deal with them last summer. Daytripper’s roster of songwriters, artists, musicians and producers also includes Tribe Friday, Featurette, POESY, Nuela Charles; CARYS, Yukon Blonde, Laurent Bourque, and Mikhail Laxton.
The Junos will be held May 15 at the Budweiser Stage in Toronto. Marvel star Simu Liu is set to host the show.
Sia has come out… as an avid NFT collector.
On Tuesday (March 8), the singer-songwriter revealed that she’s behind the NFT Twitter handle @BiancaMedici69, which trades and discusses NFTs with over 13,000 followers. The account owner had been teasing their identity for several days, tweeting on Monday, “It’s been a joy quietly collecting NFTs this last year supporting other artists & causes. And oh what fun being a secret Medici. But I think it may bring more attention to these artists & causes if I went ‘public.’ So Tuesday at 2pm PT, I will dox & reveal my true identity.”
Sia revealed her involvement with a tweet from her official account on Tuesday which read, “I am @BiancaMedici69.”
I am @BiancaMedici69
— sia (@Sia) March 8, 2022
The language echoed rapper Snoop Dogg’s own reveal last September that he was the owner of the NFT Twitter account @CozomoMedici, who happens to be tagged in @BiancaMedici69’s profile description, which states, “Granddaughter of @cozomomedici.” On March 1, Snoop Dogg – under the @CozomoMedici handle – also noted his affiliation with @BiancaMedici69 by tweeting that the two had “spent 35.58 ETH supporting emerging & Ukrainian artists” in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A nothing into Something update:
Over the last week, @BiancaMedici69 & I have spent 35.58 ETH supporting emerging & Ukrainian artists.
The Medici Emerging Collection is looking 🔥. We are grateful for all of your #artTANK recommendations, to to our amazing curation board…👇
— Cozomo de’ Medici (@CozomoMedici) March 2, 2022
In a tweet posted to @BiancaMedici69’s account on Tuesday, Sia wrote that she had been a fan of Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, but that “it wasn’t until I saw the birth of punks, kitties and the wave of art that followed that I truly fell in love. And I mean down the rabbit hole, total degen, multiple wallets, jpeg addict, kind of love.”
“I’m an artist and appreciate any medium that allows people to express who they are inside,” Sia continued. “I hope that you’ll allow me to keep supporting this ecosystem, sharing and creating things that can help move the genre forward,” before signing off with her own name.
Dear frens
Thanks for being so cool and letting me into your world.
I got into btc in 2016, picked up some alt coins in ’17 but was never much of a speculator. I became a fan of @VitalikButerin and his particular genius but it wasn’t until I saw the birth of punks, kitties…— Bianca ‘de Medici (@BiancaMedici69) March 8, 2022
The @BiancaMedici69 Twitter account was established in January and has tweeted nearly 400 times. The account currently owns over 560 NFTs on the OpenSea platform.
Though Sia’s involvement with @BiancaMedici69 is new information, she’s previously revealed her interest in the NFT/Web3 space. In December, the singer unveiled her very first official NFT collection on OpenSea in partnership with the cryptocurrency exchange FTX. In a video accompanying the announcement, Sia said that she was creating her “very own Siaverse” in Web3 that would allow her followers to vote on projects and even what songs she releases.
A representative for Sia did not immediately respond to Billboard‘s request for comment.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Cedella Marley – author, designer, recording artists and daughter of Bob Marley – is partnering with Fossil for a limited-edition collection released on Tuesday (March 8).
Inspired by her father’s timeless hit “One Love,” and her Jamaican heritage, the Cedella Marley x Fossil Collection boasts vibrant styles that embody the spirit of togetherness.
Included in the collection: a limited-edition Fossil watch with interchangeable wrist straps ($180), a gold-tone brass charm necklace that spells out “One Love” ($28), a leather backpack ($280) and a matching wallet, the latter of which will be released at a later date.
As part of Fossil’s ongoing effort to #MakeTimeForGood, 25% of proceeds from the limited-edition collection will be donated to World Pulse, a non-profit organization that utilizes social networking to drive social change by empowering women. Additionally, Fossil will donate $10,000 to the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation to support the activities of the Jamaica Women’s National Football Program. Cedella also serves as global ambassador for the organization.
See items from the Cedella Marley x Fossil Collection below.
Buy: Cedella Marley x Fossil International Women’s Day Limited-Edition Carlie Three-Hand Watch ($180)
This special edition of the Carlie Three-Hand watch has an interchangeable strap in rose gold strap, and a multicolor leather strap (pictured above).
Buy: Cedella Marley x Fossil International Women’s Day Limited Edition Gold-Tone Brass Chain ($85)
A blend of gold and brass, this exclusive charm necklace is a great way to spread a loving message.
Buy: Cedella Marley x Fossil International Women’s Day Limited Edition Parker Backpack ($280)
Need a versatile bag? The Cedella Marley x Fossil International Women’s Day Limited Edition Parker Backpack has a top handle, two adjustable and detachable backpack/crossbody straps, so you can wear it multiple ways. It’s made from eco-leather with polyurethane trim, and lined with recycled polyester.
The Hot Girl takes over the Hottie ranch!
Megan Thee Stallion launched a new Snap Originals series exclusively on Snapchat last month, in which the rapper gets back to her Texas roots to take some much deserved time off. In the aptly titled “Off Thee Leash” series, Meg hits the ranch in style with her celebrity friends including Taraji P. Henson, Nicole Richie, Normani and Kelly Rowland — plus their furry friends. The eight-episode series airs weekly until April 9.
“I was raised on the the South Side of Houston, so it was a completely different vibe compared to the Hottie ranch,” Megan Thee Stallion tells Billboard of her Texas upbringing. “It’s kind of similar, you might see someone riding a horse to the store. If you live in Texas you’ve definitely been on a ranch or on a farm before.”
As for her favorite episode, Megan admits she “can’t pick a favorite,” but “laughed the most with Titi [Kwaylon Rogers], because I got to trick her into eating dog food.”
While she couldn’t pick a favorite episode, the “Savage” rapper says having her dogs with her throughout her time at the Hottie ranch was the best part. “Sometimes, it didn’t even feel like work when I was with them on set,” she says, before adding, “I just have to make sure 4oe doesn’t turn into a little diva and get too big on me. He’s already a star, but by the end of the Snapchat series, he’ll be a superstar.”
“I know the relationships I have with my babies, so it was just fun to watch the dynamic between my friends and their pets,” she continues. “It’s just a special relationship that we have with our babies and you can feel it in each episode.”
That’s not all going on in the Snapchat world for Meg. To celebrate her upcoming “Sweetest Pie” collaboration with Dua Lipa, there’s a new Snapchat Lens that brings the song to life in augmented reality. Starting on Wednesday (Mar. 9), fans can unlock the location-based Snapchat Lens only by visiting Paul Smith’s iconic pink wall in Los Angeles. By scanning the Snapcode, fans can see the pink wall transform into a tasty cherry pie treat.
The custom Landmarker Lens was built by BLNK, a LA-based agency focused on creating AR experiences for the music industry.
When Javier Gomez testified in front of Florida’s lawmakers in Tallahassee last month, he said he was on the verge of a “panic attack.” But it was important lawmakers heard … Click to Continue »
