Latest news with #Dwayne
Perth Now
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Dwayne Johnson finally hugs Jelly Roll years after his music helped him through 'hard' time
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has thanked Jelly Roll for helping him through a "very hard" time. The WWE legend turned Hollywood megastar has shared a video of the moment he finally met and hugged the Only hitmaker, whose song "moved" him around 2017 when he was "struggling" with his mental health. Alongside a video of the pair hugging and saying they loved each other, The Rock wrote: "A brotherly hug almost 10 years in the making... "Several years ago (roughly 2017) I was going through a very hard thing at the time, I was struggling. "My mental wellness turned into my mental hellness. Many of you know the drill, you put on 'the face,' show up to work, smile and get through it. "Perhaps not the healthiest thing to do, but it's what I was used to doing at the time. "Then a song came on through my headphones one morning on a random shuffle playlist. 'Only' from Jelly Roll. The lyrics rocked me. Hard core." In the emotional song, Jelly - who is also a huge WWE fan - sings: "What if the darkness inside of me has finally taken my soul?/What if the angels in heaven were sent to take me home? "Would they fight through the demons that I have in my life?/Lord, I'm believing eventually see the light." The Fast and Furious actor recalled how he was moved "so much" that he got in touch with the singer at the time, and shared how "this song of yours is helping me through some stuff I'm dealing with". and that he "just called to say thank you". He continued: "Our bond was born." When the pair finally met in person recently, Dwayne gave Jelly a gift which he admitted might seem "insignificant to the world", but would mean a lot to Jelly. He gave the singer an old postcard of the former Alamo Plaza motel in South Nashville, where Jelly is from. Dwayne explained: "When I was 15yrs I was forced (family was evicted) to leave Hawaii and make it to Nashville to live with my dad. "That didn't work out so I wound up living with a stranger in this little spot on Murfreesboro Road that has since been torn down and no longer there. "Downtown Bruno was that stranger's name and to this day, he's one of my best and most special friends. Just like Jelly. A very special friend." In the Instagram video, Jelly admitted that the postcard - which was signed by The Rock - "is real old school Nashville history". Dwayne added in the caption: "Every once in a while we all get sliced up by life, but it's amazing to see what kind of blessings and people that God and the universe will put in our lives to help us heal through our pain."
News18
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Watch: Dwayne Johnson Shows What Being A Girl Dad Really Looks Like
Last Updated: Dwayne Johnson's daughters had covered his face with sparkly eyeshadows, bold red lipstick, pink blush and eyeliner. If there's anyone who has Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson completely wrapped around their finger, it's his two young daughters, Jasmine and Tiana. On Sunday, June 29, the actor and former wrestling superstar shared a heartwarming video on Instagram showcasing their latest antics. In the clip, Dwayne sits patiently with a serious yet amused expression as his daughters gleefully apply makeup, each taking charge of one half of his face. They had covered his face with sparkly eyeshadows, bold red lipstick, pink blush and eyeliner. One of his daughters was seen applying makeup on his head and breaking into a bout of laughter when she saw her face. The Rock sat with a straight face while one of his little 'tornadoes" continued with her job. Alongside the hilarious video, the 53-year-old actor and wrestler gave a full breakdown of the timeline of the 'torture" on him. '8:57 am, my two little tornadoes beg me to let them have a make-up party on my head. 8:59 am, I agree to the torture," he began the caption with. Sharing that his daughters got into a fight over the makeup, Dwayne continued, '9:04 am they get into a huge fight over 'the kind" of make up they're going to give me so they decide to split my face down the middle and each one of them can do whatever they want to 'their side" of daddy's face." After the makeup session was over, when Dwayne decided to take a shower, he realised that it was extremely hard to wash them off. '10:17 am I'm in the shower, realising this s–t takes forever to wash off. 11 am zoom meeting, realising I still have nail polish on," he added. He concluded the note saying that he would do anything to make his little girls laugh and smile. He said, 'But in the end, when it's time to tuck 'em in to bed, and kiss 'em goodnight – you remember quick that they're only little once and you'd do anything to make 'em laugh and smile. Thanks for the classic Roy, Daddy needs a tequila or three." The Rock shared the video, set to Roy Orbison's song 'Only the Lonely." Dwayne Johnson shares his two youngest girls, Jasmine and Tiana, with his wife, Lauren Hashian. His eldest daughter, Simone Garcia Johnson, is from his previous marriage to Dany Garcia. First Published: June 30, 2025, 11:09 IST
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Learning app Praktika announces seven new languages as Gen Z flocks to immersive platform
AI Avatars are language students' new 'best friends' and are helping to unlock career growth, mobility and more LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, May 15, 2025 / / -- Praktika – the world's smartest language learning app built around personalised AI avatar tutors – is expanding its global reach with the launch of seven new languages. French, Japanese and Korean are available now, alongside existing courses in English and Spanish. Italian, German, French, Brazilian Portuguese, and European Portuguese will launch mid May. The expansion comes as Praktika surpasses 14 million downloads, doubles its team size, opens a new UK hub and recorded over 20x revenue growth in 2024 – marking the latest step in its mission to deliver language learning that doesn't just feel fun, but fuels careers, mobility and confidence in the real world. Praktika's voice-first AI avatars adapt to each user's pace, skill level and learning style. Students can even choose an accent to learn in – such as British English if they're planning to move to the UK. All courses are overseen by native language learning experts and the more the app is used, the more tailored the lessons become. Through its commitment to making learning fun, and by offering an authentically social experience, Praktika is built for a generation that values personalisation, connection and real results. More than half its user base (60%) is Gen Z and the app has made its mark in both the $98bn language learning market, as well as the $289bn games market, with competitors rushing to copy its avatar approach. What's more, with a growing number of learners using the app to advance their careers (28%), or preparing to move and study abroad (26%), Praktika is fast becoming a tool for professional as well as personal development. Helping learners build confidence and cultural nuance that translates in interviews and meetings in a way no other app on the market has managed. Praktika's power comes from the fact users don't just learn from avatars, they bond with them. Popular tutors like Dwayne, Raika and Xander are now counted as 'best friends', rather than just coaches and conversation partners according to users. As a result, more than two million people come back to the app each month, with in-app time accelerating by 80% over the last year. This in-app dwell time has increased due to emotionally resonant avatars – including three recently launched for the Asian markets – as well as a growing roster of mini-games and personalisation features. The seven new languages follow the launch of Spanish in late 2024 and are part of Praktika's plans to rapidly scale globally. Praktika's modular development approach and use of deep LLMs means it can roll out new languages in weeks – a major differentiator in a market dominated by slow-moving incumbents. It is also able to respond quickly to user feedback from its growing community and through extensive user interviews every week. Backed by Blossom Capital, Creator Ventures, and high-profile angels from the tech, AI and gaming sectors, Praktika has raised $35M to date. Its founding team includes Adam Turaev (CEO), Anton Marin (CTO), and Ilya Chernyakov (CPO), all of whom are pioneers in generative AI, having previously co-founded Cleverbots, a conversational AI platform used by industry giants including Coca-Cola, Kimberly-Clark, and AstraZeneca. 'Language is deeply personal and learning a new language should feel like unlocking a pathway to a new world,' said CEO and co-founder Adam Turaev. 'Our users don't just tell us they're improving, they show us. We hear stories every day of people landing jobs, relocating to new countries, or simply finding the confidence to speak in a new language for the first time. With these new languages, we're determined to help more people expand their lives and opportunities around the world.' Amelia Bennett email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Metro
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Man who paid $12,000 to be Gene Simmons's roadie says he's ‘going to die happy'
One KISS fan has no regrets after paying Gene Simmons for the chance to act as his roadie for the day – at the cost of a cool $12,495 (£9,678). The I Was Made For Lovin' You hitmaker came under fire recently for the bizarre scheme, but it seems some are happily paying the price for the rock-and-roll experience. 'This is what I choose to spend my money on,' said Dwayne Rosado, a52-year-old retired corrections sergeant from Middletown, New York, who purchased the roadie experience with his 13-year-old son. Dwayne decided to pay for the experience after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. 'You only live once, and I want to experience life,' he told The New York Times. 'I'm not going to die with a lot of money. I'm going to die happy.' The package is an option for fans as a part of Simmons' American solo tour, the 'Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience.' It was advertsied as allowing a fan of the 70s rock icon to become a member of his road crew for the day. Posted on his website, the $12k package gave Dwayne and Zach extensive behind-the-scenes access to the KISS legend. But they also worked. Jobs included helping with 'arrive & load-in to the venue', 'go over the Band's Show day schedule' in the morning, and 'help the band set up.' It wasn't all work, though, as Dwayne and Zach got to have a meal with Gene, 75, and were brought out on stage and introduced to the crowd. They also sat in on soundcheck, 'hung out backstage' and of course had a unique view of the show, usually reserved for those in the business. They also walked away with an exclusive crew member shirt and hat, a signed set list, and a VIP laminate, as well as a signed bass guitar used in KISS 's rehearsals. In the end, when Dwayne was asked if it was worth $12k he replied: 'Absolutely.' 'You forgot the $500,' Simmons joked. '$12,495 to be exact,' said Dwayne. 'Nothing can beat tonight. It's cemented in Kisstory now, because it's going to be on YouTube and everything else. So I'll get to look back and see that moment forever.' There's only one ultimate experience available for sale per show date, with the purchaser allowed to bring a guest with them, as well as extra items for Gene to sign. As much as Dwayne seemingly loved the experience, the Shout It Out Loud singer originally left fans unimpressed by the offer, which was branded 'lame', 'sleazy' and a 'huge rip-off'. 'The stupidest thing I've ever heard,' fumed Mike Brown on social media platform X, while Jeff Franklin branded it 'a huge rip-off'. 'Lame. Seems like a sleazy way to generate income by Simmons,' observed Ed Tobin, as several fans made the same point about the pay. 'Wouldn't even give him the time of day if you paid me,' wrote Jett, while @mnmikebierman added: 'Gene is so lame. I'd need the $12k to do it.' For @63smithy that wasn't enough though, as they shared: 'I wouldn't do it if he paid me the 12,495.' 'Ego out of control,' chimed in Paul as another fan claimed that Simmons' act 'got stale in the 80s [and is] now completely irrelevant'. Some fans weren't averse to the possibility though, as @CeguyShi responded: 'Absolutely. The signed used rehearsal-Bass alone is worth the 12k.' @OccamRubberSpat suggested: 'Depending on the bass and the memorabilia, you might turn a profit… KISS fans are a little rabid, for decades now…' It's also worth noting that the ticket for the gig isn't included in the package, meaning you'd need to stump up for that separately. And if $12,495 (£9,678) is a stretch too far, Simmons is also offering the 'bass experience' for $6,500 (£5,034) on his website, which includes a signed and personalised non-stage played guitar and a meet and greet with the rocker after the show. The listing also notes that 'you will find that Gene Simmons is very down-to-earth, funny, and knowledgeable on almost any subject'. Gene kicked off his tour on April 3 at House of Blues Anaheim, California, before heading on the road to states including Florida, New Jersey, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, Georgia and Kentucky before May 24. KISS retired from performing live shows together in 2023, after first forming 50 years prior in New York City. The original line-up comprising Simmons (vocals, bass), Paul Stanley (vocals, rhythm guitar), Ace Frehley (lead guitar, vocals) and Peter Criss (drums, vocals) was inducted into the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. KISS sold more than 100 million records worldwide, with the I Was Made for Lovin' You rockers' final composition of Simmons, Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer hanging up their studded platform boots at New York's Madison Square Garden in December 2023, at the end of their postponed farewell tour. A version of this article was first published on March 9, 2025. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Metro
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Man who paid $12,000 to be Gene Simmons's roadie says he's 'going to die happy'
One KISS fan has no regrets after paying Gene Simmons for the chance to act as his roadie for the day – at the cost of a cool $12,495 (£9,678). The I Was Made For Lovin' You hitmaker came under fire recently for the bizarre scheme, but it seems some are happily paying the price for the rock-and-roll experience. 'This is what I choose to spend my money on,' said Dwayne Rosado, a52-year-old retired corrections sergeant from Middletown, New York, who purchased the roadie experience with his 13-year-old son. Dwayne decided to pay for the experience after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. 'You only live once, and I want to experience life,' he told The New York Times. 'I'm not going to die with a lot of money. I'm going to die happy.' The package is an option for fans as a part of Simmons' American solo tour, the 'Ultimate Gene Simmons Experience.' It was advertsied as allowing a fan of the 70s rock icon to become a member of his road crew for the day. Posted on his website, the $12k package gave Dwayne and Zach extensive behind-the-scenes access to the KISS legend. But they also worked. Jobs included helping with 'arrive & load-in to the venue', 'go over the Band's Show day schedule' in the morning, and 'help the band set up.' It wasn't all work, though, as Dwayne and Zach got to have a meal with Gene, 75, and were brought out on stage and introduced to the crowd. They also sat in on soundcheck, 'hung out backstage' and of course had a unique view of the show, usually reserved for those in the business. They also walked away with an exclusive crew member shirt and hat, a signed set list, and a VIP laminate, as well as a signed bass guitar used in KISS's rehearsals. In the end, when Dwayne was asked if it was worth $12k he replied: 'Absolutely.' 'You forgot the $500,' Simmons joked. '$12,495 to be exact,' said Dwayne. 'Nothing can beat tonight. It's cemented in Kisstory now, because it's going to be on YouTube and everything else. So I'll get to look back and see that moment forever.' There's only one ultimate experience available for sale per show date, with the purchaser allowed to bring a guest with them, as well as extra items for Gene to sign. As much as Dwayne seemingly loved the experience, the Shout It Out Loud singer originally left fans unimpressed by the offer, which was branded 'lame', 'sleazy' and a 'huge rip-off'. 'The stupidest thing I've ever heard,' fumed Mike Brown on social media platform X, while Jeff Franklin branded it 'a huge rip-off'. 'Lame. Seems like a sleazy way to generate income by Simmons,' observed Ed Tobin, as several fans made the same point about the pay. 'Wouldn't even give him the time of day if you paid me,' wrote Jett, while @mnmikebierman added: 'Gene is so lame. I'd need the $12k to do it.' For @63smithy that wasn't enough though, as they shared: 'I wouldn't do it if he paid me the 12,495.' 'Ego out of control,' chimed in Paul as another fan claimed that Simmons' act 'got stale in the 80s [and is] now completely irrelevant'. Some fans weren't averse to the possibility though, as @CeguyShi responded: 'Absolutely. The signed used rehearsal-Bass alone is worth the 12k.' @OccamRubberSpat suggested: 'Depending on the bass and the memorabilia, you might turn a profit… KISS fans are a little rabid, for decades now…' It's also worth noting that the ticket for the gig isn't included in the package, meaning you'd need to stump up for that separately. And if $12,495 (£9,678) is a stretch too far, Simmons is also offering the 'bass experience' for $6,500 (£5,034) on his website, which includes a signed and personalised non-stage played guitar and a meet and greet with the rocker after the show. The listing also notes that 'you will find that Gene Simmons is very down-to-earth, funny, and knowledgeable on almost any subject'. Gene kicked off his tour on April 3 at House of Blues Anaheim, California, before heading on the road to states including Florida, New Jersey, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, Georgia and Kentucky before May 24. More Trending KISS retired from performing live shows together in 2023, after first forming 50 years prior in New York City. The original line-up comprising Simmons (vocals, bass), Paul Stanley (vocals, rhythm guitar), Ace Frehley (lead guitar, vocals) and Peter Criss (drums, vocals) was inducted into the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. KISS sold more than 100 million records worldwide, with the I Was Made for Lovin' You rockers' final composition of Simmons, Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer hanging up their studded platform boots at New York's Madison Square Garden in December 2023, at the end of their postponed farewell tour. A version of this article was first published on March 9, 2025. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Killers of the Flower Moon star Samuel French dies aged 45 MORE: Rapper Tory Lanez rushed to hospital after being stabbed 14 times in prison attack MORE: 'Skunk Anansie wouldn't exist without Grassroot venues'
