Latest news with #LesMisérables
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Melania Trump may get name on the Kennedy opera house. What has she done as first lady?
A House panel advanced a measure on July 22 that would rename part of the Kennedy Center after first lady Melania Trump. The measure was voted on as part of a larger amendment approved by the Appropriations Committee. The larger House and Senate still have to vote on the spending bill. If it passes, the opera house would be named the "First Lady Melania Trump Opera House." Currently, the theater is just designated as the "Opera House," located between the "Concert Hall" and the "Eisenhower Theater." Melania Trump is President Donald Trump's third wife. While the president's first six months back in office have been a whirlwind of news, the first lady has largely stayed out of the spotlight. Here is what to know about the first lady: What is the 'Take it Down Act?' Melania Trump made rare White House appearance to sign it What has Melania Trump done as first lady? Melania Trump played a key role in advocating for the Take it Down Act, which the president signed into law on May 19. The law criminalizes nonconsensual, explicit images created by artificial intelligence, often known as deepfakes. Outside of that advocacy, she has appeared in her official capacity sparingly since her husband returned to office. One of her appearances was actually at the Kennedy Center for a showing of "Les Misérables," where she stood alongside Trump as the crowd booed and cheered. Through the spring, she spoke at the International Women of Courage Awards, attended Pope Francis' funeral (on her 55th birthday), helped host the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, and hosted a celebration of military mothers and a stamp unveiling honoring former first lady Barbara Bush. She also attended the Army's 250th anniversary parade in D.C., which occurred on Trump's 79th birthday. Melania Trump visited a D.C.-area children's hospital ahead of the Fourth of July, and appeared with the president as he signed the "Big Beautiful Bill" on the holiday. The following week, she visited the flood-ravaged areas of Texas. Later, she attended FIFA Club World Cup final, where her husband went viral for staying on stage for the winning team's celebration. When did Donald Trump marry Melania? Donald Trump and model Melania Knauss got married in 2005. They met in 1998, two years after she moved to New York. Does Melania Trump have a college degree? No. According to the American Presidency Project, Melania Trump did not complete a degree but attended the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia for one year. Is Melania Trump an immigrant? Yes, she was born in Slovenia and moved to the U.S. in 1996. Slovenia is a country in Eastern Europe between Croatia and Austria. Melania Trump was born as Melanija Knavs but changed her name to Melania Knauss and later Melania Trump. She is the only first lady to become a naturalized citizen and the second first lady born outside the United States. (The first was Louisa Catherine Adams, married to John Quincy Adams, who was president from 1825-1829.) See photos of Melania Trump before she became first lady, when she met Trump as a young model Contributing: Bart Jansen, Jennifer Sangalang, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, Maria Francis, Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY Network Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@ Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What has first lady Melania Trump done? Kennedy Center may get her name
GMA Network
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
'Les Misérables' to return to Manila in 2026
"Les Misérables," one of the most celebrated musicals of all time, is set to make an epic return to Manila in 2026. Cameron Mackintosh, in partnership with Nick Grace Management and GMG Productions, has officially announced that Boublil and Schönberg's Les Misérables World Tour Spectacular will arrive in the Philippines in January at The Theatre at Solaire. The upcoming tour coincides with the 40th anniversary of the original production, promising a breathtaking reimagining of the musical "on a scale the Philippines has never seen before." According to a statement, the staging will boast a cast and crew of over 110 international talents, plus a live orchestra. It will also feature extraordinary new design elements and state-of-the-art technology that will give the musical a refreshed look while preserving the emotional depth that made it iconic. "This is not just a revival — it's a celebration of four decades of Les Misérables, brought to life by a world-class team," said GMG Productions. Additionally, the global tour will feature new design and staging by Matt Kinley, with costumes by Andreane Neofitou, Christine Rowland, and Paul Wills; lighting design by Paule Constable and Warren Letton; sound design by Mick Potter; and projections by Finn Ross. The production is directed by James Powell and Jean-Pierre Van Der Spuy, with orchestrations by Stephen Metcalfe, Christopher Jahnke, and Stephen Brooker, based on the original orchestrations by John Cameron. The music is supervised by Stephen Brooker and Alfonso Casado Trigo, and the live Les Misérables orchestra is conducted by Adrian Kirk. From the barricades of revolutionary France to the soulful introspection of Jean Valjean, "Les Misérables" delivers a timeless message about love, justice, and the human spirit. Tickets go on sale to the public on August 11 via TicketWorld, while a pre-sale period will run from August 4 to 7, open to UnionBank clients and to fans who join the waitlist at —Sherylin Untalan/JCB, GMA Integrated News
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Christine Ledbetter: Renaming the Kennedy Center Opera House for Donald Trump's wife? It's not a hotel.
When the Kennedy Center opened in 1971, the world premiere of Leonard Bernstein's 'Mass,' a theater piece for singers, dancers and musicians, was performed in the Opera House. Dignitaries included Rose Kennedy, Eunice Shriver, Sen. Edward Kennedy and his wife, Joan, along with artists such as Aaron Copland, Helen Hayes and Isaac Stern. It was a glittering event that would signal the beginning of the monumental importance of the nation's cultural center for the next 50-plus years. Founding Chairman Roger L. Stevens said the Kennedy Center 'more than any predecessor lent dignity to the role of the arts and its place in society.' The center, before its completion, was designated a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy after his assassination, to honor his contributions to the arts, which included launching a $30 million campaign to fund the center. Additionally, he and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy initiated a series of Concerts for Young People as well as regularly inviting artists and writers to the White House. Now comes news that Congress wants to name the Opera House after first lady Melania Trump, to acknowledge her 'support and commitment to the arts,' according to Idaho GOP Rep. Mike Simpson, who introduced the amendment. Wait, what commitment and support? The first lady has never been known for her arts contributions. Sure, she was named an honorary chair of the center, as were Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton. But she has rarely attended performances there. Last month, she did go to the opening night of 'Les Misérables,'' where she and the president were booed and which a dozen cast members boycotted. The former model is better known for her designer wardrobe. Vogue noted she was wearing a black Bottega Veneta gown and silver stilettos to the event. Naming the Opera House after her is as far-fetched as renaming the National Museum of African American History and Culture after Donald Trump, who has targeted that institution for its 'divisive narratives.' The Opera House is the second largest of the center's seven stages with 2,347 seats. It is home to the Kennedy Center Honors, which recognizes lifetime contributions to the arts, and which the Trumps famously skipped during his first term after honorees criticized him. Presently, the only theater at the Kennedy Center identified for an individual is the Eisenhower Theater, honoring former President Dwight D. Eisenhower who signed initial legislation creating an earlier-named National Cultural Center in 1958. Congress pandering to the president's ego and megalomaniac desire for branding is nothing new. Republicans have suggested Trump's face be carved into Mount Rushmore and that Dulles International Airport be named after him. The Kennedy Center should not be treated like a hotel with the Trump name plastered all over it. Statements about the first couple's contributions to the arts are simply not true. Indeed, the Trump administration's sweeping cuts to federal arts agencies such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and National Endowment for the Arts have caused states to scramble for funds, including 192 organizations in Illinois. Since Trump's hostile takeover of the performing arts center in which he fired top administrators and board members while anointing himself as chair, ticket subscription sales are down 36% over last year. Artistic advisers Ben Folds, Renee Fleming and Shonda Rhimes fled. Artists and productions such as 'Hamilton,' Rhiannon Gibbons and Issa Rae canceled their dates. Conversely, the Kennedy Center cut performances by the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington in an unsurprising move. Claiming the center has celebrated 'radical left lunatics' and 'woke culture,' Trump vows to make it great again by perhaps personally hosting the Honors and asking Congress for money to renovate the building. In Trump's Kennedy Center, there are 'NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA—ONLY THE BEST.' That sentiment is the antithesis of Kennedy's vision of the arts. 'If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth,' he said in October 1963, a mere month before he was killed. Sixty-one years later, truth is what Trump says it is: Art is funded only if it fits his vision, history is redacted, books are banned and diversity is discouraged. But the giant on the Potomac with its acres of red carpet, Hall of States and Nations displaying flags of 50 states and over 190 countries, and its Grand Foyer featuring 16 crystal chandeliers and an 8-foot-tall bronze bust of Kennedy, will likely stand for another generation. Because despite dwindling ticket sales and flailing artistic reputation, Trump's domestic policy bill provides over $250 million to the center, six times the amount normally allocated. Trump, always the developer, will not let the building fall.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anne Hathaway's 2025 net worth: How she's still ruling Hollywood -Check out
1 2 Anne Hathaway isn't going anywhere. In 2025, she's sitting on a net worth of around 80 million, and that's no surprise, considering how she's been part of Hollywood's fabric for over 20 years. She didn't start out with blockbuster roles. In fact, one of her early gigs was on a short-lived TV show called 'Get Real'. But then came 'The Princess Diaries', and everything changed. Starring opposite Julie Andrews , she instantly became a household name. That role turned her into a star, and she's managed to stay at the top ever since. She's Done It All and Done It Well Anne Hathaway isn't the type to be boxed into one genre. She's done teen comedies, musicals, intense dramas, you name it. Films like Rachel Getting Married and Les Misérables showed just how deep her range runs. That latter role even earned her an Oscar. But let's not forget her in 'The Devil Wears Prada'. That performance is still talked about, and rightly so. It proved she could carry big commercial films while holding her own alongside industry heavyweights. As reported by Parade website, her movies have made over 6.8 billion worldwide. That kind of number doesn't just happen. It means people trust her. Studios do. Audiences do. She shows up and delivers, whether it's a small indie film or a big studio project. Still at the top of her game Even if she's not a billionaire, 80 million is no small feat. And it's not just from acting. On average, she earns about 12 million a year. Her per-film rate can go anywhere from 5 million to 15 million. On top of that, she's a favorite with luxury brands, which only boosts her income. What makes her stand out even more is her consistency. She doesn't chase trends. She's built a career on substance. She picks roles that challenge her, and that keeps audiences coming back. Anne may have started off playing a reluctant royal, but her real-life success story is just as magical, minus the tiara. Anne Hathaway is Vogue's cover girl
USA Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Melania Trump may get name on the Kennedy Opera house. What has she done as first lady?
A House panel advanced a measure on July 22 that would rename part of the Kennedy Center after first lady Melania Trump. The measure was voted on as part of a larger amendment approved by the Appropriations Committee. The larger House and Senate still have to vote on the spending bill. If it passes, the opera house would be named the "First Lady Melania Trump Opera House." Currently, the theater is just designated as the "Opera House," located between the "Concert Hall" and the "Eisenhower Theater." Melania Trump is President Donald Trump's third wife. While the president's first six months back in office have been a whirlwind of news, the first lady has largely stayed out of the spotlight. Here is what to know about the first lady: What is the 'Take it Down Act?' Melania Trump made rare White House appearance to sign it What has Melania Trump done as first lady? Melania Trump played a key role in advocating for the Take it Down Act, which the president signed into law on May 19. The law criminalizes nonconsensual, explicit images created by artificial intelligence, often known as deepfakes. Outside of that advocacy, she has appeared in her official capacity sparingly since her husband returned to office. One of her appearances was actually at the Kennedy Center for a showing of "Les Misérables," where she stood alongside Trump as the crowd booed and cheered. Through the spring, she spoke at the International Women of Courage Awards, attended Pope Francis' funeral (on her 55th birthday), helped host the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, and hosted a celebration of military mothers and a stamp unveiling honoring former first lady Barbara Bush. She also attended the Army's 250th anniversary parade in D.C., which occurred on Trump's 79th birthday. Melania Trump visited a D.C.-area children's hospital ahead of the Fourth of July, and appeared with the president as he signed the "Big Beautiful Bill" on the holiday. The following week, she visited the flood-ravaged areas of Texas the following week. Later, she attended FIFA Club World Cup final, where her husband went viral for staying on stage for the winning team's celebration. When did Donald Trump marry Melania? Donald Trump and model Melania Knauss got married in 2005. They met in 1998, two years after she moved to New York. Does Melania Trump have a college degree? No. According to the American Presidency Project, Melania Trump did not complete a degree but attended the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia for one year. Is Melania Trump an immigrant? Yes, she was born in Slovenia and moved to the U.S. in 1996. Slovenia is a country in Eastern Europe between Croatia and Austria. Melania Trump was born as Melanija Knavs but changed her name to Melania Knauss and later Melania Trump. She is the only first lady to become a naturalized citizen and the second first lady born outside the United States. (The first was Louisa Catherine Adams, married to John Quincy Adams, who was president from 1825-1829.) See photos of Melania Trump before she became first lady, when she met Trump as a young model Contributing: Bart Jansen, Jennifer Sangalang, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, Maria Francis, Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY Network Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@ Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @
