Susan Boyle Rises to the Top in Record Time
Scottish singer and television talent show runner-up Susan Boyle rocketed to the top of the U.K. charts last week, becoming the fastest-selling debut artist in U.K. history. Boyle’s album also recently broke the Amazon.com record for the site’s most pre-orders globally.
Boyle grabbed the attention of seemingly everyone when she entered the “Britain’s Got Talent” stage earlier this year. Despite what some describe as plain looks, she unleashed her beautiful voice in her now famous rendition of “Les Miserables,’” and “I Dreamed a Dream” (her album’s title track), surprising and delighting her audience. Within days of her performance, online videos of the newcomer had been watched over 100 million times—an Internet record.
“I Dreamed a Dream” is available now and features Boyle singing “Amazing Grace,” the Monkees’ “Daydream Believer,” the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses,” and an original called “Who I Was Born to Be.”
Chelsea Clinton Announces Engagement
Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton has announced that she will marry investment banker Marc Mezvinsky next summer. The 29-year-old daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced her engagement in an e-mail to friends that has been publicly released.
In it, Clinton says, “We wanted to wish everyone a belated Happy Thanksgiving! We also wanted to share that we are engaged! We didn’t get married this past summer despite the stories to the contrary, but we are looking toward next summer and hope you all will be there to celebrate with us.”
Mezvinsky, the son of former Rep. Ed Mezvinsky (D-Iowa) and former Rep. Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinksy (D-Pa.), met Ms. Clinton in Washington. The two both attended Stanford University. Clinton currently works in finance as a graduate student at Columbia University.
Churchill Downs to Host Music Festival
The famous site of the Kentucky Derby has announced the inception of a three-day event called the “HullabaLOU Music Festival.” This summer, more than 65 bands will play the festival, including headliners Dave Matthews, Kenny Chesney, and Bon Jovi. The event is part of a large-scale venture called Churchill Downs Entertainment Group, a new subsidiary of Churchill Downs, Inc.
President Steve Sexton announced at a news conference “Our goal will be to make this music festival to the music festival business what the Kentucky Derby is to horse racing.” The festival will be held over July 23-25 at Churchill Downs.
Kelsey Grammer Returning to Broadway
Award-winning actor Kelsey Grammer will once again grace the Broadway stage in Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein’s hit musical “La Cage aux Folles.” Grammer, who is most famous for his role as Dr. Frasier Crane in both hit television series “Cheers” and its spinoff “Frasier,” will play the role of nightclub owner George.
In a statement, Grammer said, “Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein’s wonderfully funny and touching show is about being true to yourself and the challenges you face as a parent, as a spouse, and as a family. I cannot wait to work with Douglas Hodge and to sing these magnificent songs every night.” “La Cage aux Folles” opens April 18 at the Longacre Theatre.
Compiled by Barbara Danza, Epoch Times Staff
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