Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra organized by Met, Polish operas

The Eurovision Song Contest’s participants are officially banned from making any political statements from the stage, either verbally or in their lyrics, but that didn’t stop Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra.

Kalush Orchestra have shared a powerful video for ‘Stefania’, the song that won them last night’s (May 14) Eurovision Song Contest.The band triumphed over the UK’s Sam Ryder at the Turin ceremony, receiving a massive portion of the public vote.Following the performance, they have shared an official video for ‘Stefania’, which was shot in the cities of Bucha, Irpin, Borodyanka and Hostomel, all of which were bombed during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.At the end of the video, a message from the band reads:“This video was filmed in Bucha, Irpin, Borodyanka, Hostomel, cities near Kyiv that suffered the horrors of Russian occupation.“Dedicated to the brave Ukrainian people, to the mothers protecting their children, to all those who gave their lives for our freedom.“Every man, every woman, every innocent child.“The war in Ukraine has multiple faces, but it is our mother’s face that keeps our hearts alive in the darkest times.“Stand with Ukraine!”Watch the ‘Stefania’ video below:Speaking to NME this week, frontman Oleh Psiuk explained how their taking part was a “huge responsibility”, given the ongoing war with Russia.“To represent Ukraine in the international arena is always a responsibility, but to represent it during the war is just the highest responsibility possible,” he said.“The song [‘Stefania’] was composed and dedicated to my mother, but after the war the song has acquired lots of nuances because a lot of people are perceiving it as if Ukraine is my mother,” said Psiuk.

The results are in, and the winner of Eurovision 2022 has been revealed as Ukraine. Sam Ryder represented the United Kingdom, and it was clear from the off that he was going to score big as twelves were awarded continuously to the UK by countries across Europe. An elated Sam could be seen smiling as at the half way point of voting the UK were still leading with 195 points, but after all the votes were cast it was Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra who scooped the top prize.

posted to his social media pages Saturday as the competition got underway.“I believe that, in the end, this word will be ‘Victory!'” he added — urging viewers to cast their votes for Kalush Orchestra, Ukraine’s representative in the 66-year-old international competition.The hybrid folk-rap band is heavily favored to win for “Stefania,” a tribute to frontman Oleh Psiuk’s mother.The long-running musical extravaganza has pitted acts representing the countries of the European Broadcast Union in a head-to-head battle of the bands since 1956.This year’s show, in Turin, Italy, saw 40 nations fighting for the coveted glass microphone.The competition is known for its over-the-top staging — and for launching the careers of superstars like ABBA and Celine Dion.

Caroline Polachek has announced a UK and European headline tour for later this year – tickets will be available here.The former Chairlift frontwoman will hit the road in October in support of her debut solo album ‘Pang’, which came out in 2019.Kicking off on October 16 in Berlin, the stint will also include performances in Hamburg (October 17), Paris (21), Amsterdam (24) and other European cities before Polachek’s UK leg commences in Brighton on October 27.Further dates are scheduled for Leeds (28), Manchester (29) and Bristol on November 1. Additionally, Polachek will perform a Halloween show at the O2 Academy Brixton in London on October 31.French performer and producer Oklou – who remixed Polachek’s single ‘Door’ in 2020 – will appear as the opening support act.Tickets go on general sale at 10am BST next Friday (May 20) – you can purchase yours from here.

Billie Eilish and Cardi B don't have any bad blood, no matter how much the internet seems to want to believe otherwise.Following Monday's Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City — where both Cardi and Billie slayed in their stunning red carpet styles — both stars then attended a gala afterparty at The Standard hotel.It was at this afterparty where rumors of drama and shade-throwing were first sparked. While Cardi made a lively speech kicking off the big party and greeting attendees, an out-of-context video showed Billie mouthing the words «So weird,» which many presumed to indicate Billie was mocking Cardi.However, amid the clip going viral, Cardi took to Twitter to stomp out the speculation.«I hate the internet cause one, how do y’all turn one of the most lit parties into drama? Two, Ocean eyes is the song I cater to my daughter.

Jennie Punter Last week Darya Bassel, the curator of Docudays UA’s industry platform, returned to her home in Kyiv and found herself smiling “like a crazy person” to be back at work and resuming something of a daily routine. “I’m still sitting 12 hours a day with my laptop,” she said during Slava Ukraini, an early morning session that kicked off Day 2 of Hot Docs’ Industry LIVE conference.“There are just some additional tasks on my to-do list,” she continued.

copying a classic look at the Met Gala.Social media users were pointing fingers at Ralph Lauren, angrily alleging that the designer ripped off the idea of Alicia Keys’ New York skyscraper cape from fellow high-fashion designer Zang Toi.Toi, the go-to designer favored by the fashionable society set, showed a white couture silk gazar floor-length cape with black hand-beaded New York skyscrapers in February 2020 during his Fall/Winter 2020 runway show at New York Fashion Week — much like Lauren’s design for the 2022 Met Gala.“My cape was inspired by my love for my adopted home, New York City,” Toi told The Post, noting his inbox has been flooded with fashion lovers pointing out the similarities to his original design. “I came here 41 years ago with $300 to study at Parsons School of Design and I wanted to show my love and appreciation for the city that embraced me — and allowed me to live the American Dream.”In fact, Toi debuted his black-and-white skyscraper cape many years ago during his Spring 2009 collection — later worn by Ling Tan at the 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards.“I decided to bring the iconic hand-beaded New York skyline cape out of the archive — timeless beauty never goes out of style — to pay tribute to my favorite city at my 2020 ‘New York, New York’ runway show,” he told The Post, which was attended by former mayor Rudy Giuliani.Eagle-eyed fashionistas couldn’t help but point out that it seems Lauren may have lifted the idea from the Malaysia-born designer’s “New York, New York” collection, which included a cape with similar NYC embellishments.“They copied Zang because they know Zang is the most creative unparalleled fashion designer,” one fan said.

Cara Delevingne had a freeing moment at the Met Gala! The 29-year-old model made a statement on Monday night when she arrived in a red suit by Dior Haute Couture. While ascending the steps at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art, she opted for a dramatic wardrobe change.  Delevingne took off her jacket, only to reveal her gold-painted torso adorned with gold chains.

the Met Gala is the biggest night in fashion, drawing in the more important names in the entertainment industry, there was another major celebration happening across the country at the same time: the Los Angeles premiere of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.Bad Bunny joins Marvel and becomes the newest Latino hero ‘El Muerto’Oscar Isaac wears skirt to ‘Moon Knight’ screening: See his look!Ryan Reynolds can’t explain his kissing scenes to his kidsStars from the latest Marvel film missed out on the New York City spectacle, showing up to the famous El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood to premiere the film. Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Rachel McAdams, and more put on their Monday best to promote the film, marking the 28th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.Still, some Marvel stars managed to make their way to the Met Gala, including some recently-announced stars who are expected to make their MCU debut very soon.Bad Bunny made his very first appearance at the Met Gala on Monday, which comes following the announcement that he’s joining the MCU with the lead role in The Dead, a character that exists within the Spider-Man universe.Another star who is set to join the popular franchise is Sydney Sweeney, who also made her first appearance at the event.

Wendy Williams is slowly but surely getting back into the New York City life, and the latest outing was a Met Gala after-party.The 57-year-old talk show host attended a star-studded affair at The Standard Hotel on Monday night with Jason Lee, the CEO and founder of Hollywood Unlocked, as her date. She wore a colorful layered dress with matching sneakers, and a diamond-encrusted «W» pendant and necklace to complete the look.

Cara Delevingne had a freeing moment at the Met Gala! The supermodel turned heads on Monday night when she arrived in a red suit by Dior Haute Couture. While ascending the steps at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art, the 29-year-old opted for a dramatic wardrobe change.  Delevingne took off her jacket, only to reveal her gold-painted torso adorned with gold chains.

Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler are making their debut as a couple in the most iconic way, walking together on the red carpet of the highly anticipated 2022 Met Gala in New York City on Monday.The supermodel did not disappoint, wearing a silver metallic gown by Alexander McQueen, looking like an absolute deity and evoking Hollywood glamor with big hair and jewels by Kwiat. The actor looked elegant wearing in Prada, at one point joined by Priscilla Presley, who recently gave her verdict on the long awaited ‘Elvis’ movie, with Austin playing the music legend.Dating rumors started in December, following Kaia’s split from Jacob Elordi after one year.

Forever an icon. With the first Monday in May past, many fans of the annual fundraiser ask: Did Rihanna go to the Met Gala? 

Met Gala, but he doesn’t mind when other people take their styles to the next level. During Monday’s gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the 60-year-old designer kept it classic and on theme. “Well, Gilded Age," Ford told ET’s Rachel Smith about adhering to the «gilded glamour and white tie» theme. “I’m wearing the classic men's from that period.” He added, “I love white tie.

Gilded Age!Laurie Cumbo, commissioner of New York City’s Department of Cultural Affairs, got proposed to by her partner — former NY State Assembly candidate Bobby Digi Olisa — at one of the most fashionable events of the year. The pair gave Kim Kardashian’s skin-tight Marilyn Monroe gown a run for its scene-stealing money as they made their way down the infamous Metropolitan Museum of Art steps at Monday evening’s 2022 Met Gala.Cumbo and Olisa, both 47, were at the bash when the latter got down on one knee and presented his love with an unmistakable robin’s egg-colored Tiffany’s ring box.Cumbo and Olisa — executive director and founder of Staten Island’s the Canvas institute — share a 5-year-old son and have been together for almost eight years.“I guess my fiancé just asked me to marry him and this is amazing, unexpected, wonderful.

Lori Harvey's beauty regularly takes our breath away, but her abs had partygoers stunned on the Met Gala carpet on Monday! The 25-year-old model arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in a stunning custom Michael Kors Collection gown that featured a criss-cross bodice, highlighting abs that even the model's hunky actor star boyfriend, Michael B. Jordan, would be jealous of. This year's Met Gala accompanies the second part of the Costume Institute's exhibition, «In America: An Anthology of Fashion,» with a concept paying homage to the United States' Gilded Age, an era of immense economic growth and major industrialization, as well as massive income inequality, political upheaval, and post-Civil War racism.Dressed in the elegant black number with a train that seemed to go on for miles, Harvey kept true to the general nature of the controversial theme, exuding lavishness and glamour with two giant diamond rings on each hand and a matching pair of dangling diamond earrings. Harvey met her debut at 2017's Met Gala as part of Dolce & Gabanna's new DG Millennials.

Priscilla Presley publicly praised Austin Butler for his performance as her late ex-husband, Elvis Presley, in the upcoming, Baz Luhrmann-directed biopic, the two posed together at the 2022 Met Gala in New York City.Presley looked rock-and-roll chic in head-to-toe black Prada, while Butler looked dapper in a matching black Prada suit. Priscilla took the opportunity to gush over the film with Butler by her side.«I love the movie,» she said during a red carpet interview with LaLa Anthony for livestream. «I think the young generation is gonna see and know what Elvis is all about, and learn a little more about him.»«Even the people who've heard stories about Elvis before, they're gonna learn something,» she added.Butler also opened up on the red carpet about his highly-anticipated role, saying the most important thing to him was «making all the people who loved Elvis so much proud and doing [him] justice.»«I just set out to find his humanity as much as I could and bring that out with as much life as much as I could,» he shared.Last week, Priscilla, who was married to Elvis from 1967 to 1973, got a first look at the biopic which is set to be released on June 24.

The Met Gala 2022 took place on Monday night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This year's event marked the first return to normal service since the pandemic, with the 2020 event axed and 2021's Met Gala happening in September, not the usual first Monday in May date.

video posted to Lee’s Instagram page — with the footage sure to please the TV queen’s concerned fans.Williams went off the air last summer and has not returned amid a battle with Graves’ disease and other undisclosed health issues.She has also been embroiled in a feud with Wells Fargo, who locked her out of her accounts back in January, claiming she was an “incapacitated person” who needs guardianship. Earlier this year, former “The View” star Sherri Shepherd took over hosting duties from Williams while she was on leave.