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FANS OF THE LATE BELOVED, FASHION DESIGNER KATE SPADE, RUSH TO BUY OUT HER CURRENT ACCESSORIES COLLECTION, "FRANCES VALENTINE" ON NORDSTROM.COM - SOLD OUT IN MINUTES...

Gina Giordan

Bebeto Matthews/AP

Bebeto Matthews/AP

Uber successful fashion designer, Kate Spade, reportedly committed suicide this morning at age, 55.  Spade's Housekeeper apparently found Spade hanging by a scarf tied to the doorknob of her bedroom, with a note by her side.  Katherine Noel Frances Valentine Bresnahan is survived by her husband and business partner, Andy Spade and 13 year old daughter, Bea Spade.  

As soon as the horrible news made headlines this morning, fans of Spade immediately hit the internet and snatched up her latest fashion collection, "Frances Valentine."  FrancesValentine.com was so busy the site was shut down.  Nordstrom.com carries the online collection and every piece sold out in minutes.  

In 2016, Spade legally changed her name to "Frances Valentine" to help support her latest business venture.  It is surreal to watch this WSJ interview where Spade explains why she chose to change her name and shared, "I didn't want to confuse the customer with my name."  Spade went onto reveal how getting back into the fashion business after a hiatus to raise her daughter, was not easy, "I forget how hard it was."  

Spade's alleged suicide is a tragic reminder that despite success, fame and fortune anyone can suffer from depression and mental health issues.  WE all need to work towards making it easier for anyone suffering to get help and not feel alone.  The time is now to get rid of the negative stigma on mental health issues and make it easier for anyone to access the necessary care and resources to live a productive life.  

NAMI is a fantastic resource for loved ones in need or anyone suffering from anxiety, depression and mental illness.  

USA Today created a memorable look back at the fashion icon, mother and wife, Kate Spade.  RIP.

MALE DIRECTOR TELLS JESSICA CHASTAIN NOT TO TALK ABOUT "WOMEN STUFF" ON SET

Mike Rosenthal/American Way

Mike Rosenthal/American Way

Jessica Chastain, a constant advocate for gender equality in Hollywood, recently opened up about a past brush with sexism she faced while speaking to a male director.  Chastain told American Way in a new interview, “I had one male director say to me that I talk too much about all of this ‘women stuff.’  This is a person I love, and maybe he was concerned I would hurt my career.”  She continued, “I’m not attacking anyone.  I’m trying to create more inclusiveness, compassion and empathy, which in turn makes better movies, better art.”

Chastain founded the production company Freckle Films in order to combat Hollywood gender inequality.  When asked about the company, Chastain expressed her frustrations with gender issues today: “I just don’t know why it’s not changing…I’m doing my part to make the change, so why isn’t everyone else?”

Chastain has been outspoken about gender equality in the workplace, and addressed “gender imbalance” in Hollywood before.  Chastain wrote a letter for The Hollywood Reporter, where she addressed the issue of sexism on a film shoot: “When you have both genders represented, then you have a healthier point of view.  The energy is great, you all are working together as a community, and everyone is participating in the exchange of ideas.  You don't feel a hierarchy; you don't have anyone feeling like they are being left out or bullied or humiliated.  Sometimes being the only girl on a set, you can feel like a sexual object.”

Chastain has also spoken about the gender pay gap in Hollywood.  In a 2016 interview with Variety, Chastain said, “We’re supposed to be a mirror that’s held up to society and tells the story of what’s happening around us.  And sometimes the American film industry only tells the stories of a few and I don’t want my story to be erased.  I want to see women out there and I want them to be equally compensated for the work that they do.”

 

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JENNIFER GARNER WANTS TRUMP TO HELP AMERICA’S IMPOVERISHED CHILDREN

Larry French/Getty Images

Larry French/Getty Images

Jennifer Garner, a liberal-minded actress who supported Hillary Clinton in the last election, has voiced her desire to work with Donald Trump to help impoverished American children.  Garner has been a longtime early education advocate for poor children in places like the West Virginia community where she was raised.  Garner has been a board member of the Save the Children nonprofit organization for almost a decade, which has brought her to Washington, D.C. on many occasions to advocate for underprivileged rural areas.

This past weekend, Garner went to the White House to continue her efforts.  Garner has decided to put politics aside in favor of asking Trump for help, she told The Washington Post, “If he’s willing to help the poor kids who got him elected, then let’s do it.  They certainly think he’s going to.”  Garner said, “I’m looking forward to helping him make good on what they saw as promises, a mandate from him, that he was going to make their lives better.”

Garner said many politicians she has met claim they will help with childhood funding, but don’t follow through: “Everyone’s nodding and couldn’t agree more, and shaking your hand and want their picture.  But when the vote is cast, nobody’s out there screaming and yelling for poor kids.”  Garner continued, “Send me a ticket to Mar-a-Lago.  I’m ready to go down and have a steak and a good chat.  I really think it’s great, if [Trump]’s willing to help the poor kids who got him elected.”

Cliff Owen/AP

Cliff Owen/AP

Garner’s work with Save the Children includes urging Congress and state governments to “fund reading and literacy programs that include all-day kindergarten.”  Garner said, “You just wouldn’t believe the number of kids who have never heard a nursery rhyme.”

The Washington Post reported Garner’s activities in D.C. over the weekend: “The 44-year-old actress spent the weekend lobbying the town’s pillars of power to support early education for poor rural children.  She spent Friday on Capitol Hill meeting dozens of top staff members.  On Saturday, she delivered the keynote address before the annual National Governors Association winter meeting here.”  Garner also had a planned sit-down with Ivanka Trump, but it was canceled due to scheduling conflicts.  The actress looks forward to making the meeting happen sometime in the future.

 

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CELEBRITY BREAKING NEWS: KATY PERRY AND ORLANDO BLOOM BREAK UP!

David M. Benett/VF17/WireImage

David M. Benett/VF17/WireImage

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom made the mutual decision to end their 10-month relationship with an amicable split.  On Tuesday, the duo released a joint statement: “Before rumors or falsifications get out of hand we can confirm that Orlando and Katy are taking respectful, loving space at this time.”

An E! News source revealed, “Katy pulled the plug.  It was a few events that happened over the past few months.  They both still love each other very much, though, and getting back together could happen once they have some space."

Perry and Bloom were photographed smiling together at the Vanity Fair Oscars after party on Sunday night.  An onlooker told People, “Katy didn’t spend much time with Orlando.  They got together for a photo, but that was about it.”  According to the source, Perry had grown close with Bloom’s son, Flynn.  The insider said, “They are still in contact and want to keep everything between them pretty private.  Katy has built a really strong connection with Flynn.  It's sad but it will work out how it's supposed to.”

Recently, Perry has been busy promoting her fourth studio album, while Bloom has been around the world for UNICEF outreach.

 

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OSCAR WINNER CASEY AFFLECK SPEAKS OUT ABOUT 2010 SEXUAL HARASSMENT ACCUSATIONS

Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Christopher Polk/Getty Images

On Tuesday, Casey Affleck spoke about his past sexual harassment allegations after he faced backlash for winning Best Actor at the 89th Academy Awards.  Affleck sat down for an interview with the Boston Globe, where he was asked about the widespread criticism of his Oscars win.  Affleck said, “I believe that any kind of mistreatment of anyone for any reason is unacceptable and abhorrent, and everyone deserves to be treated with respect in the workplace and anywhere else.  There’s really nothing I can do about it.  Other than live my life the way I know I live it and to speak to what my own values are and how I try to live by them all the time.”

In 2010, Affleck was sued for sexual harassment by producer Amanda White and cinematographer Magdalena Gorka, who both worked on “I’m Still Here” with him.  The women alleged that Affleck and other male crew members harangued them with unwanted sexual comments, advances and intimidation throughout filming.  Both lawsuits were settled out of court, and Affleck has continued to deny the claims.

After Affleck took home the Best Actor Academy Award on Sunday, many people on Twitter reacted with frustration.  Actor B.J. Novak tweeted:

One Twitter account called Feminist Frequency posted:

Writer and producer Gary Janetti chimed in:

 

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AMANDA SEYFRIED AND OTHER CELEBS REMEMBER THE “AMAZING” BILL PAXTON

Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

On Saturday, beloved actor and director Bill Paxton passed away at age 61.  A family statement was released: “It is with heavy hearts we share the news that Bill Paxton has passed away due to complications from surgery.  A loving husband and father, Bill began his career in Hollywood working on films in the art department and went on to have an illustrious career spanning four decades as a beloved and prolific actor and filmmaker.  Bill’s passion for the arts was felt by all who knew him, and his warmth and tireless energy were undeniable.  We ask to please respect the family’s wish for privacy as they mourn the loss of their adored husband and father.”

Paxton was known for playing roles in iconic 1980s and 90s films including Aliens, Apollo 13, The Terminator, Twister and Titanic.  More recently, Paxton starred in TV series such as Big Love, Texas Rising and Training Day.

Amanda Seyfried, who played Paxton’s daughter in HBO’s Big Love, released a touching statement on the actor’s passing: “He was an amazing and supportive father-figure to me in my early career.  Incredibly inspired and full of life at every turn, he made you feel like everything was possible.  This is a terrible loss.”

Many of Paxton’s co-stars and other celebs remember him as a “kind” and “talented” actor, who was “one of the nicest people in the industry.”  THE WANNA has gathered some of the most moving tributes to Paxton below.

 

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CELEBS REACT TO “AWKWARD” BEST PICTURE MISTAKE AT 2017 OSCARS

Reuters

Reuters

On Sunday night, the 89th Academy Awards were held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.  The night was full of memorable moments, from host Jimmy Kimmel’s teasing of Matt Damon, Viola Davis and Mahershala Ali’s important Oscar wins, to several political statements throughout the night.

But perhaps the most unforgettable moment came right at the tail end of the ceremony when “La La Land” was mistakenly named Best Picture instead of the real winner, “Moonlight.”  Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway took the stage to open the Best Picture envelope and read off the film’s name, during which Beatty seemed to pause for comic effect before announcing, “La La Land.”  The “La La Land” crew took the stage to accept the award and even started giving speeches before the mistake was realized.  “La La Land” producer Jordan Horowitz went up to the mic and said, “You guys, I’m sorry, no.  There’s a mistake.  ‘Moonlight,’ you guys won Best Picture.”  After a few moments, the “Moonlight” cast and crew ascended the stage where they exchanged hugs and words with the “La La Land” team.  Beatty chimed in later: “I want to tell you what happened.  I opened the envelope and it said, ‘Emma Stone, La La Land.’  That’s why I took such a long look at Faye, and at you.  I wasn’t trying to be funny.”

Watch the entire awkward moment below.

Moment where crew/cast of 'La La Land' realizes a mistake had been made and 'Moonlight' actually won Best Picture at The Academy Awards. #Oscarsabcnews.com/oscars SUBSCRIBE to ABC NEWS: https://www.youtube.com/ABCNews/ Watch More on http://abcnews.go.com/ LIKE ABC News on FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/abcnews FOLLOW ABC News on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/abc GOOD MORNING AMERICA'S HOMEPAGE: https://gma.yahoo.com/

Celebrities who tuned in to watch the ceremony reacted with shock and cracked jokes at the Best Picture flub on Twitter.  THE WANNA has gathered the best celeb reactions below.

WHO WILL TAKE HOME AN AWARD AT THE 2017 OSCARS?

Oscar.go.com

Oscar.go.com

On Sunday, the 89th Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.  Hollywood’s most elite actors, writers, directors and industry members will show up looking their best on the red carpet before heading in to watch the awards ceremony.  It’s anybody’s guess who will win the Academy Award for each category, but part of the fun is making Oscar win predictions beforehand.  THE WANNA has created our own list of which celebrities and films will take home the biggest prize of the industry on Sunday night.  Check it out below!

•Best Picture: La La Land

•Best Adapted Screenplay: Moonlight

•Original Screenplay: Manchester by the Sea

•Best Foreign Language Film: The Salesman

•Best Director: TIE between Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) and Damien Chazelle (La La Land)

•Best Actress: Emma Stone (La La Land)

•Best Actor: Casey Affleck (Mike's personal pick would be Denzel Washington Fences)

•Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis (Fences)

•Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali (Moonlight)

 

THE WANNA wants to hear from you!

How do your own Oscar predictions compare to THE WANNA's?

 

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HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS GET THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME ON THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW

ABC

ABC

On Thursday, students from the high school senior class of Summit Academy Charter School in Brooklyn, NY appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where they received a surprise gift.  The students opened up to Ellen DeGeneres about what Summit Academy meant to them and how it would affect their future.  One student said, “Coming to Summit, it made my dreams and goals more realistic, coming from a single-parent house.”  Summit Academy is located in a neighborhood where only 4 percent of adults attended college.  The senior class will be the school’s first ever graduating class.

At the end of the show, the entire senior class was overcome by emotion when Ellen announced they would each receive a 4-year college scholarship.  The students cried and laughed, while they embraced each other and buried Ellen in a group hug.

The scholarships, made possible by Walmart, will provide the students with tuition for any state university in New York.  Ellen told the students: "Last time you were here, Walmart wanted to give you $25,000.  We've never done anything this big before, we've reached out to the people at Walmart, and they want to give each one of you a four-year scholarship."  Ellen revealed the entire amount is worth $1.6 million.

Ellen posted on Instagram about the amazing moment:

You can watch the full inspiring video below.

Ellen DeGeneres just presented the entire senior class of the Summit Academy in Brooklyn, N.Y. with keys to their future: full four-year college scholarships. The school aims to send every student to college - and last year, 93% of the first graduating class achieved that goal, according to Campbell and Swift.

 

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CELEBS TWEET IN SUPPORT OF TRANSGENDERS AFTER TRUMP LIFTS BATHROOM PROTECTION LAWS

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

On Wednesday, the Donald Trump administration reversed Barack Obama’s federal protection laws that allowed transgender students to use whichever bathroom corresponds to their gender identity.  The White House explained Trump’s decision in a statement: "As President Trump has clearly stated, he believes policy regarding transgender bathrooms should be decided at the state level.  The joint decision made today by the Department of Justice and the Department of Education paves the way for an open and inclusive process to take place at the local level with input from parents, students, teachers and administrators."

The reversal sparked protests and angered several civil rights groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union.  The LGBT project director for the ACLU, James Esseks, said: "Revoking the guidance shows that the president's promise to protect LGBT rights was just empty rhetoric.  But the bottom line is that this does not undo legal protections for trans students, and school districts can and must continue to protect them and all students from discrimination.  School districts that recognize that should continue doing the right thing; for the rest, we'll see them in court."

Obama’s decision to protect transgender rights in the bathroom had previously been celebrated among civil rights groups, including the ACLU.  The group wrote about Obama’s move: “This is a BIG deal – the federal government just made history and set clear standards to protect transgender people!”

Several celebrities took to Twitter to express their outrage at Trump revoking the protections, and show their support of the transgender community.  THE WANNA has gathered the reaction tweets below.

 

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OSCARS SURVEY REVEALS AMERICANS DON’T WANT POLITICS AT THE ACADEMY AWARDS

Oscars.org

Oscars.org

On Tuesday, Pollfish conducted a survey to find out what Americans think about politics and diversity at the Academy Awards.  The survey asked 1,000 Oscar-watching Americans whether or not they want celebrities at the awards ceremony to share their political opinion.  The results found that 25% of Americans think celebrities at the Oscars should avoid political topics, including any mention of Donald Trump.

Below are the rest of the Pollfish Oscar Sunday Survey results:

MOST AMERICANS DON'T WANT TO HEAR HOLLYWOOD'S POLITICAL OPINIONS

45% of Americans think celebrities should be allowed to voice their opinions at the Oscars. Another 25% say Hollywood shouldn't use its platform to talk politics, 21% think celebrities should completely stay out of politics, and 10% say Hollywood is too liberal. 

1 IN 4 AMERICANS DON'T WANT TO HEAR TRUMP'S NAME AT THE OSCARS

Asked which issues they don't want to hear about at the Oscars, 19% of Americans said they hope celebrities don't talk about Donald Trump. Other topics Americans don't want to hear about are immigration (14%), the refugee situation (12%), and racial inequality (12%). Only 12% of Americans wouldn't mind hearing about political topics during the Oscars.

HALF OF AMERICANS THINK THIS YEAR'S NOMINEES ARE MORE DIVERSE THAN USUAL

Asked whether they think this year's Oscar-nominated films are more diverse than in previous years, 49% of Americans said yes. Another 18% said no, and 13% think the Oscars have always been diverse. 1 in 5 Americans aren't sure.

MEN AND WOMEN DON'T SEE EYE-TO-EYE ON OSCAR DIVERSITY

54% of men and 47% of women think this year's Oscar-nominated movies are more diverse than in years past—a 7% difference.

 

THE WANNA wants to hear from you!

Do you think Hollywood celebs at the Academy Awards should voice their political opinions?

 

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MUSLIM COMMUNITY RAISES THOUSANDS TO REPAIR VANDALIZED JEWISH CEMETERY

Robert Cohen/AP

Robert Cohen/AP

On Tuesday, Muslim American activists Linda Sarsour and Tarek El-Messidi launched an online fundraiser to help repair a Jewish cemetery that was vandalized this week in St. Louis, Missouri.  The LaunchGood fundraiser, “Muslims Unite to Repair Jewish Cemetery,” has raised over $80,000 within 24 hours, which is four times the projected goal of $20,000 by the end of March.  The fundraiser page promoted a message of unity: “Through this campaign, we hope to send a united message from the Jewish and Muslim communities that there is no place for this type of hate, desecration, and violence in America.  We pray that this restores a sense of security and peace to the Jewish-American community who has undoubtedly been shaken by this event.”

On Monday morning, St. Louis police responded to a report of the Chesed Shel Emeth Society cemetery being vandalized and found over 170 of the headstones destroyed.  Phillip Weiss, the owner of a monument company helping to fix the cemetery said, "A lot of people are coming out—they're just interested to see, 'Was their loved one's monument affected by this?'”

Police are currently investigating security footage from the cemetery, but have turned up nothing solid yet.

Robert Cohen/AP

Robert Cohen/AP

Recently, there have been bomb threats to various Jewish community centers throughout the U.S., for which Muslim Americans have offered aid.  One Muslim American civil rights organization, The Council on American-Islamic Relations, offered a $5,000 reward for any information to help find the people behind the false bomb threats.

The Muslim Americans’ support of the Jewish community is in direct opposition to Rick Santorum’s comments to CNN’s Chris Cuomo on Tuesday: "If you look at the fact, the people who are responsible for a lot of this anti-Semitism that we're seeing, I hate to say it, a lot of it is coming from the pro-Palestinian or Muslim communities."

 

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EVA LONGORIA, DOMINIC THIEM AND MORE FAMOUS FACES WILL SOAK UP THE SUN AT MEXICO TENNIS OPEN

XSPOSURE via Daily Mail

XSPOSURE via Daily Mail

The annual Albierto Mexicano Telcel, also known as the Mexican Tennis Open, will be held from February 27th to March 4th in Acapulco, Mexico at the Acapulco Princess Mundo Imperial Hotel.

Several celebrities and tennis stars will make their way to Mexico to enjoy the tennis open in the warm weather.  Actress Eva Longoria will attend the event along with her husband Jose Baston, the President of Televisa, Latin America’s largest media company.  Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem (who claimed the Mexico Open title in 2016), and other tennis stars will also join the festivities.

This year players include: Dominic Thiem, Milos Raonic, Marin Cilic, Rafael Nadal, Juan Martin del Potro, David Goffin, John Isner and Alexander Zverev.

Pedro Haces Sordo, President of the Acapulco Destination Marketing Office, announced: “We are excited to host such great tennis icons in what is to be a spectacular tournament in Acapulco.  We will be welcoming visitors from Mexico and from throughout the world who are coming to see many of the top international tennis stars play during the Abierto Mexicano Telcel.  After an action-packed day, the destination’s selection of top-notch hotels, pristine beaches and adventure and culinary experiences create the perfect setting to unwind.”

Ober Delgado

Ober Delgado

Acapulco is a huge tourist destination, and the number of tourists making their way to the seaport has risen in 2017.  The city, located on the Pacific coast of Mexico, is known as Mexico’s original beach destination.  Special events and activities throughout the year include: the tennis open, surfing, a French film festival, scuba diving, snorkeling and even cliff-diving performances.

Acapulco is also known for being a Hollywood celebrity hotspot.  Famous faces spotted throughout the city in the past include: Brad Pitt, Denzel Washington, Madonna, John Travolta, Antonia Banderas, Salma Hayek, Melanie Griffith, and more.

Go here to find out how to watch the 2017 Albierto Mexicano Telcel live stream.

 

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THREE FORMER U.S. GYMNASTS ACCUSE LONGTIME DOCTOR OF SEXUAL ABUSE

Robert Killips/AP

Robert Killips/AP

On Sunday, three members of the U.S. women’s national gymnastics team, Jamie Dantzscher, Jeannette Antolin and Jessica Howard, accused Dr. Larry Nassar of sexual abuse on 60 Minutes.  The women alleged that starting in the 1990s when they were minors, Nassar, told them he needed to perform medical examinations on them “to improve their health and address their medical problems.”  They said as part of his exams, Nassar would insert ungloved fingers inside their private parts for long periods of time on several occasions.

Dantzscher told 60 Minutes, "He would put his fingers inside of me and move my leg around.  He would tell me I was going to feel a pop.  And that that would put my hips back and help my back pain."

Antolin said, “I remember being uncomfortable because of the area.  But in my mind, I was like, ‘If this helps, I’ll do anything.’  It was treatment.  You don’t complain about treatment.”

CBS News

CBS News

The three gymnasts are not the first to make allegations against Nassar.  Many others, including students from Michigan State University where Nassar served as a sports doctor, have accused him of abuse.  However, Nassar has not been charged for the MSU sexual abuse allegations yet.

Along with these accusations, Nassar has been charged with possessing child pornography.  In December 2016, FBI investigators found 37,000 child pornography images and videos at Nassar’s home, some which were found on hard drives he tried to get rid of in the garbage.  The FBI is also in possession of a GoPro video of Nassar apparently molesting young girls in a pool.

Nassar, who is licensed to practice osteopathic medicine in Michigan, served as the USA Gymnastics team doctor from 1996 to 2015 and at MSU from the 1990s to 2015.  Nassar pleaded not guilty to the child pornography charges.  Nassar also insists that the methods he used on the three U.S. gymnasts were the correct medical practice.

 

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SYRIAN REFUGEE, STAR OF OSCAR-NOMINATED SHORT, TAKES A STAND TO PROMOTE PEACE!

ITN Productions

ITN Productions

A Syrian refugee, Hala Kamil, who’s family was featured in an Oscar-nominated short plans to attend the awards ceremony to spread a message about the Syrian refugees’ plight.  The short documentary film, “Watani: My Homeland,” follows Kamil and her four children as they escape from Aleppo after her husband, Abu Ali Slaibeh, was captured by Islamic State militants in 2013.  The film, directed by Marcel Mettelsiefen, documents the family’s journey to a Turkish refugee camp and later, Germany.

Kamil was originally unable to attend the Oscars ceremony due to Donald Trump’s travel ban, which is currently halted.  Upon hearing the news that she can now go, Kamil wrote a statement in response.   Kamil stated: “When I heard that I might have the opportunity of attending the Oscars to represent ‘Watani: My Homeland,’ I felt incredibly proud and happy but bittersweet.”  Kamil said she and her husband used to enjoy the Academy Awards together: “Abu Ali and I would stay up late every year to watch the Oscars live on television.  Sipping coffee together as we always did, we’d try to recall the names of all the famous actors and actresses as they graced the red carpet, in complete awe of this huge event.”

Kamil explained that she wants to use her time at the Oscars to help spread a message throughout the world about refugees, especially from Syria.  Kamil wrote:  “I want to tell the world about a small country called Syria, a country that has been burnt alive, its people torn up from the soil they once thrived on.  All this destruction and displacement needs the concerted effort of the whole world working together, to help these people back to their roots, the roots they hold so dear.  We need people to understand that we are not terrorists despite what the media and the politicians might say, all we are is human.”

You can read Kamil’s full statement here, and watch the moving trailer for “Watani: My Homeland” below.

A new film from director Marcel Mettelsiefen. The epic story of one family's escape from war torn Aleppo, and their attempt to make a new life in Germany.

 

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ASHTON KUTCHER SEEKS TO END HUMAN TRAFFICKING WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY

Getty Images

Getty Images

On Wednesday, Ashton Kutcher spoke in front of a Senate Foreign Relations Committee to seek funding for his anti-human trafficking organization, Thorn.  Thorn, which Kutcher co-founded, seeks to end the sexual exploitation, abuse and trafficking of children through technology.  Kutcher told the committee, “Technology can be used to enable slavery, but technology can also be used to disable slavery.  Can we build the tools that are better than their tools to fight what is happening?”

Kutcher explained how law enforcement agencies are understaffed and unequipped to deal with the sheer number of trafficking cases, but Thorn’s software, “Spotlight” can shorten the amount of time it takes ”from three years to three weeks.”  Spotlight, he said, was able to locate 6,000 victims in just six months.  Kutcher said, “The technology we're building is efficient, nimble, enduring, and it only gets smarter with time.”  He continued, “It's taking the internet, which is largely anonymous, and making it far less anonymous.”

One committee member, Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, brought up Trump’s travel ban and how it might affect human trafficking victims: “Could they have come in under that ban?  When we say we are going to protect these victims, we must look for every possible way to accomplish this goal.”

Kutcher agreed that refugees are the most exposed to traffickers: “When people are left out and not supported and not given love they need to grow, it becomes an incubator for trafficking.”

Kutcher shared a horrific example of human trafficking to hammer the point home: “I've seen video content of a child that's the same age as mine, being raped by an American man who was a sex tourist in Cambodia.  This child was so conditioned by her environment that she thought she was engaging in play.”

Kutcher spoke about his “other day job” of being a father to two children, whom he has with wife Mila Kunis.  Kutcher said, “It is my effort to defend their right to pursue happiness and to assure a society and government that defends it as well.”

Watch Kutcher’s full hearing below, and be sure to check out Thorn’s website as well.

 

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ENRAGED METALLICA FANS TWEET OUT AGAINST THE "HORRIBLE" LIVE PERFORMANCE AT 2017 GRAMMYS

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

On Sunday, the 59th annual Grammy Awards ceremony aired live on CBS from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  Beyonce, Adele, and Bruno Mars all performed live.  The evening had several live mishaps including Adele who had a meltdown center stage and pleaded with the audience to let her start over during her tribute performance to the late great George Michael.  Yet, the real train wreck of the night was the collaboration between Metallica and Lady Gaga.  Metallica’s performance was eagerly awaited by fans after the band announced their appearance back in January, saying they had “something very unique and special planned.”

Gaga and Metallica performed Moth Into Flame together, but lead singer James Hetfield’s microphone did not work initially.  Hetfield could be seen mouthing the lyrics, but the audience could not hear his voice.  The audio mishap led Lady Gaga to share her mic with Hetfield, and the two worked hard to make-up for the mishap.  By the song’s second verse, Hetfield’s mic was back in working condition.

Afterwards, Hetfield appeared visibly upset by the audio mess-up and threw his guitar off the stage, where someone on the side managed to catch it.  Twitter user Troy Hughes caught the moment on camera:

Actress and LGBTQ activist, Laverne Cox added to the mayhem when she initially introduced the highly anticipated rock performance and just threw it to Lady Gaga leaving out any mention of Metallica on stage.  Earlier today, Cox tweeted an apology:

Fans were outraged with how Metallica’s Grammys performance played out.  Many took to Twitter to express their disdain at the technical issue and show their support of Metallica.  Fans anticipated how someone would be “getting fired,” and others insisted the Grammys should “get it together.”  THE WANNA has gathered the most entertaining reaction tweets below!

 

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CELEBS TWEET OUT ABOUT THE LATEST TRAVEL BAN RULING!

Thomas Samson/AFP/Getty Images

Thomas Samson/AFP/Getty Images

On Thursday, a federal appeals court ruled against reinstating Donald Trump’s immigration ban.  The panel of three California-based judges refused to lift the block from a previous lower court ruling.  Trump’s executive order, signed in January, barred Syrian refugees and immigrants from the Muslim-majority countries of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the U.S.

The federal appeals court ruling did not sit well with Trump, who tweeted in response:

On Friday, Trump announced the White House will come up with new security measures next week and continue trying to lift the court's block on his order.  At a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Trump said, "We will be doing something very rapidly having to do with additional security for our country.  You will be seeing that sometime next week."

Hollywood celebrities took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the court’s decision and react to Trump’s response tweet.  THE WANNA has compiled a list of celeb tweets below.

Uzo Aduba

Stephen King

Trevor Noah

Stephen Colbert

Patton Oswalt

Chrissy Teigen

Cher

Seth Rogen

Josh Gad

Michael Moore

Debra Messing

 

Ya Know You Wanna!

UNITED TALENT AGENCY CANCELS ANNUAL OSCARS PARTY TO PROTEST TRUMP’S IMMIGRATION BAN

REX/Shutterstock

REX/Shutterstock

On Wednesday, the United Talent Agency announced they canceled their annual Academy Awards party to protest Trump’s travel ban.  Instead, the UTA will donate $250,000 to the American Civil Liberties Union and the International Rescue Committee, as well as host a rally to support immigration.  The rally will take place on February 24th, two days before the Oscars, to “express the creative communities' growing concern with anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States.”  The UTA said the rally will aim to combat the “potential chilling effect on the global exchange of ideas and freedom of expression.”

UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer said in a letter to agency employees: “This is a moment that demands our generosity, awareness, and restlessness.  Our world is a better place for the free exchange of artists, ideas, and creative expression.  If our nation ceases to be the place where artists the world over can come to express themselves freely, then we cease, in my opinion, to be America.”

Trump’s travel ban affected the UTA personally since they represent Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, who is nominated this year in the Best Foreign Language Film category for “The Salesman.”  Farhadi has chosen to boycott the Oscars this year in protest of Trump’s order.  When contacted by the UTA about their decision, he responded with a text saying he was “honored and in tears.”

 

Ya Know You Wanna!

TRUMP’S TRAVEL BAN HINGES ON FEDERAL APPEALS COURT RULING

AP

AP

On Wednesday, Donald Trump criticized the Federal Appeals Court judges who will decide whether to reinstate Trump’s executive order on immigration.  The three judges are Judge William Canby, Judge Richard Clifton and Judge Michelle Friedland, from the California-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Trump spoke in front of the Major Cities Chiefs Association in Washington, D.C., and said of the Federal Appeals Court: “I don’t want to call a court biased, so I won’t call it biased.  Courts seem to be so political and it would be so great for our justice system if they could read a statement and do what’s right.”

Trump also read out a section of U.S. immigration law that he felt backed his immigration order, and insisted that the President has the authority to decide who enters the country.  Trump said that even “a bad high school student” could understand the immigration language and agree to reinstate his travel ban.  Trump continued, “I think it’s sad, I think it’s a sad day.  I think our security is at risk today.  And it will be at risk until such time that we are entitled and get what we are entitled to as citizens of this country.  We want security.”

Last Friday, Trump’s travel ban, which bars refugees from entering the U.S., and stops immigration from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen was halted by US District Judge James Robart.  Trump tweeted over the weekend in response to the ruling:

 

Ya Know You Wanna!