Entertainment
Harry Styles Releases T-Shirts to Support Coronavirus Relief Efforts. Here’s Why Some Fans Are Concerned
Published
10 months agoon

- Harry Styles is selling $26 dollar T-shirts that encourage social distancing, with 100% of the profits going to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
- Many argue that encouraging people to donate directly or doing so himself would be a better move, rather than losing some of that money to cover production expenses.
- Others took issue with him asking people to buy unnecessary items when so many are financially struggling and worried about those who now have to manufacture and deliver the shirts.
- But fans say this strategy gets people to donate who otherwise wouldn’t have since they’ll receive something in return.
Harry Announces “Stay Home. Stay Safe,” Merch
Singer Harry Styles revealed Tuesday that he was selling t-shirts to help raise funds for those fighting the coronavirus, but his plan was quickly met with some pushback online.
For $26, fans can get a white tee with a black slogan printed on the front and back. The front reads,“’Stay home. Stay safe. Protect each other,’ while the back reads,“’This T-shirt fights COVID-19 treat people with kindness.’
According to the official website where you can pre-order the item, 100% of profits will be donated to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization, powered by the UN Foundation.
“In times like these, it is more important than ever to remember the power of people,” Styles said in a statement to fans. “If you are able to help, please donate where you can. Stay home, self-isolate, and protect each other.”
Stay Home. Stay Safe. Protect Each Other. Now available in the Official Store: https://t.co/ViMWlk8TTD
— HSHQ (@HSHQ) April 7, 2020
100% of profits to be donated to the #COVID19 Solidarity Response Fund for the @WHO, powered by the @UN Foundation. #WorldHealthDay pic.twitter.com/e4TvBX1YaS
People Raise Concerns
While many were excited about the news and rushing to order their shirts, others raised several concerns.
Some argued that encouraging people to donate directly or doing so himself would be a better move, rather than losing some of that money to cover production expenses. Many were also concerned about those who would now have to make and deliver the shirts.
“Quick reminder that 100% of the profits does not = 100% of the cost,” a Twitter user wrote. “ It is more effective for you to donate directly to the charity. You do not need this merch. You do not need to be encouraging factory workers being comissioned to make this.”
Quick reminder that 100% of the profits does not = 100% of the cost. It is more effective for you to donate directly to the charity. You do not need this merch. You do not need to be encouraging factory workers being comissioned to make this.
— Emily Linka ♿️🏳️🌈 (@emilylinka) April 7, 2020
“How is making these t shirts safe? what about all the people making these and dispatching them? they’re clearly not ‘staying home’ and ‘staying safe,”’ one user asked, while another wrote, “Don’t people have to go out to work to manufacture these shirts? Isn’t that really contradictory?”
how is making these t shirts safe? what about all the people making these and dispatching them? they’re clearly not ‘staying home’ and ‘staying safe’
— A | (@finelineoverhs1) April 7, 2020
I love Harry, and this message, and I know a lot of money is going to be donated which is amazing… but I have to raise the question…don’t people have to go out to work to manufacture these shirts? Isn’t that really contradictory?
— aiden ✯ misses Louis (@ToBeSoLounly) April 7, 2020
Others took issue with Styles asking people to buy unnecessary products when so many have lost their jobs and are struggling to pay their bills.
Also, it’s incredibly tone deaf to ask fans to spend even more money now, when most of normal people are struggling to make rent right now. The US has had the biggest surge in unemployment in years, for example. A lot of my friends from the UK are losing their jobs as well.
— Leonie (@pinkisloudest) April 7, 2020
or you know as y’all are millionaires you could give the money yourself and not ask to people who might have lost their job to give even more money away.
— chloé. W△LLS (@chloe_ledx) April 7, 2020
Fans Defend Harry
But others hit back at the concerns and pointed out that the shirts are not expected to ship until 4-6 weeks after receiving a purchase confirmation, which might signal that manufacturers are holding off on production or slowing it down to ensure safety. However, no information about those details have actually been confirmed or explained.
The shirts are on preorder for 4-6 weeks, and even then it could be extended depending how things develop, so it’s highly likely that those workers ARE staying home right now and that’s why the shirts aren’t being manufacturered and shipped out as we speak
— g (@kangawhoo) April 8, 2020
Others supported the strategy, arguing that some people who would not have donated before might do so now because they’ll get something in return.
Why is Harry and his team getting so much hate for the Covid-19 Tshirts? At the end of the day he basically created a fundraiser. I can almost 100% guarantee that if he just tweeted a link and asked fans to donate. They wouldn’t. This way they are getting something in return —
— lin (@linxharry) April 7, 2020
It’s cause it could encourage people to indirectly donate who wouldn’t otherwise. The UN foundation still gets the money and the person purchasing the shirt feels like they’re getting something in return since people don’t like spending money and not getting something in return
— m🍉✨ (@hsmoons) April 8, 2020
The backlash is not completely unexpected since Rita Ora faced similar criticism last month after releasing her own merchandise to raise funds for the same organization.
But this move is also not surprising coming from Styles. Earlier this year, he launched the Treat People With Kindness (TPWK) movement and created a range of merchandise with profits distributed to local charities around the world.
Despite some criticism, most people online generally believe that the intentions behind these merch releases are good and are ultimately benefiting an important cause.
See what others are saying: (PopBuzz) (Forbes) (Independent)
Entertainment
Joe Rogan Says Grimes Did Not Give Dave Chappelle COVID-19
Published
13 hours agoon
January 22, 2021
- Comedian Dave Chappelle is under quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. He is asymptomatic and his remaining shows in Austin, Texas have been canceled.
- The news comes just days after Chappelle was photographed with Joe Rogan, Elon Musk, Grimes, and several others backstage at one of his Austin performances.
- “Because people are asking, I was not exposed to the person who had covid and I have tested negative every day this week,” Rogan wrote on Instagram Friday. “Also, the person that gave covid to Dave was NOT Elon’s partner @grimes.”
Chappelle Tests Positive
Comedian Dave Chappelle has tested positive for coronavirus and is currently under quarantine, according to one of his representatives.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, that rep also confirmed that he is currently asymptomatic and has canceled all of his remaining shows at Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheater in Austin, Texas.
“Chappelle has safely conducted socially-distanced shows in Ohio since June 2020 and he moved those shows to Austin during the winter,” the statement read.
“Chappelle implemented COVID-19 protocols which included rapid testing for the audience and daily testing for himself and his team. His diligent testing enabled him to immediately respond by quarantining, thus mitigating the spread of the virus,” it continued.
Joe Rogan Speaks Out After He Was Photographed With Chappelle
Two of the remaining Austin shows were supposed to include fellow comedian Joe Rogan. Rogan took to Instagram Friday morning to announce that they will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
Still, many fans had questions about Rogan’s current state of health. The news of Chappelle’s positive test comes just days after he was photographed maskless with Rogan, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, musician Grimes, and several others backstage at one of his Austin performances.
Since Grimes, who is also in a relationship with Musk, recently had COVID, many were concerned that she may have exposed the group. Others wondered if Chappelle may have spread it.
Rogan eventually updates his Instagram caption to dismiss the ideas.
“Because people are asking, I was not exposed to the person who had covid and I have tested negative every day this week,” he wrote.“Also, the person that gave covid to Dave was NOT Elon’s partner @grimes.”
See what others are saying: (The Hollywood Reporter) (CNN) (AP News)
Entertainment
Netflix Passes 200M Subscribers as Other Streamers Struggle With Retention
Published
3 days agoon
January 20, 2021
- In a letter to shareholders, Netflix said it has hit over 200 million subscribers following a successful year of growth.
- The pandemic gave Netflix a significant subscriber boost in March and April. The company continued to perform well even in its final quarter, gaining 8.5 million subscribers when it was only projected to add 6 million.
- The data also highlights how relatively unaffected Netflix has been by new streaming services entering the market. While companies like Disney+, HBO Max, and Peacock continue to grow, they also struggle to retain the subscribers that sign up.
Netflix Passes 200 Million Subscribers
Netflix has topped 200 million subscribers following a year of strong growth in 2020.
In its Tuesday letter to shareholders, Netflix announced that it added 8.5 million subscribers in its fourth quarter. This exceeds projections, which estimated the streaming giant would only add around 6 million. In total, Netflix gained 37 million new memberships throughout 2020, bringing the company to 203.6 million subscribers.
Pandemic lockdowns gave Netflix a substantial boost in March in April. In the company’s first two quarters, it added a combined 25.7 million subscribers. According to data from the letter, Netflix had added over 10 million more subscribers by May of 2020 than it had by May of 2019.
When it comes to the success of their fourth quarter, Netflix pointed to shows like “Bridgerton” and “The Crown.” The fourth season of “The Crown” hit the platform in November, prompting many to return to older seasons of the show. Netflix claims the series has been viewed by 100 million households since it first aired in 2016.
Success Amid Growth of Competition
The year 2020 could have been a difficult one for Netflix as new streaming services entered the market. Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Peacock and more have all made waves with their original programming or by taking some of their brand’s content from Netflix to host on their own site. User-based content on YouTube and TikTok also became increasingly popular throughout the pandemic, further posing as a threat to Netflix.
Still, it reached a massive milestone.
“Our strategy is simple: if we can continue to improve Netflix every day to better delight our members, we can be their first choice for streaming entertainment,” Netflix said in the letter. “This past year is a testament to this approach.”
Netflix potentially sees Disney+ as the biggest competitor among new platforms. In its letter, the company noted that the streamer added 87 million subscribers in its first year. In a Q&A, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings seemed enthusiastic about this competition.
“It’s super impressive what Disney’s done,” he said. “It’s going to be great for the world that Disney and Netflix are competing show-by-show, movie-by-movie. We’re very fired up about catching them in family animation, maybe eventually passing them, we’ll see. It’s a long way to go just to catch them, and maintaining our lead in general entertainment that’s so stimulating like ‘Bridgerton,’ which I don’t think you’re going to see on Disney anytime soon.”
Streamers Struggle with Retaining Subscribers
Even as new streamers have had impressive years, there is one hurdle that many are still struggling to jump over: retaining the subscribers who sign up. The Los Angeles Times named Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, and Apple TV+ in particular, writing that people create accounts with these services, watch the TV shows or movies they are interested in, and cancel once they are done.
An October survey from Deloitte said that 46% of respondents canceled at least one streaming service in the last 6 months, which is up 20% from January of last year. Most who had canceled said they did so because they had finished watching whatever programming it was that brought them to that service.
Places like Disney+ and HBO Max are really vulnerable to this because they have banked on drawing people in with exclusive marquis titles like “Hamilton” or “Wonder Woman 1984.” However, since they are newer, they are still building their original programming catalog, meaning that people can quickly burn through highlight titles.
See what others are saying: (Los Angeles Times) (Wall Street Journal) (The Hollywood Reporter)

- ViacomCBS is launching Paramount+ in the United States and Latin America on March 4 before rolling out to other markets internationally later this year.
- The streaming service will be a relaunch and expansion of CBS All Access. It will include content from Nickelodeon, MTV, and more on top of the CBS-focused selection.
Paramount+ Gets Launch Date
ViacomCBS will be launching its streaming service Paramount+ in the U.S. and Latin America on March 4 before rolling out in more countries throughout the year.
It will be an expansion and rebrand of CBS All Access, the service the company currently offers that is used by nearly 8 million subscribers. Paramount+ will go beyond the CBS-centric content promoted there, including works from brands like Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, and the Smithsonian Channel.
More details about their streaming strategy will be released during an investor event on February 24. Right now, ViacomCBS is boasting that the service will have over 30,000 episodes and movies in their catalog, which will also include live sports and breaking news.
Paramount+ is coming in 2021. #ViacomCBS’ global #streaming service will carry the iconic Paramount name into the streaming era. pic.twitter.com/ESysB7zZWP
— ViacomCBS (@ViacomCBS) September 15, 2020
“The Paramount brand is known and loved all around the world, and is synonymous with great entertainment. It’s always brought people together, which makes it a perfect fit for a streaming service that’s uniquely positioned to do the same,” Josh Line the chief brand officer of ViacomCBS said during a brand announcement in September. “The Paramount+ streaming service will elevate ViacomCBS’ iconic family of brands.”
State of the Streaming Wars
Paramount+ has already announced a slew of original projects including a revival of “iCarly” and a series about the making of “The Godfather” titled “The Offer.”
The service is entering an already crowded battlefield as the streaming wars wages on. It will have plenty of uphill battles to fight since brand recognition for Paramount is not nearly as strong as it is for studios like Disney or NBCUniversal. It will also have to compete with Netflix, which leads the pack in subscribers and unveils new content regularly; HBO Max, which will be home to Warner Media’s new theatrical releases; and Hulu, which hosts original content as well as shows currently airing on cable and network television.
ViacomCBS has not released information on pricing, but that will likely come during or before the February investor event.
See what others are saying: (Variety) (Deadline) (CNBC)

WOW! Joe Rogan COVID Controversy, National Guard Outrage, Megan Thee Stallion Fake News, & More News

House To Send Impeachment Article Monday, Starting Impeachment Trial Process

Russia Orders Social Media Sites To Block Calls for Navalny Protests

Joe Rogan Says Grimes Did Not Give Dave Chappelle COVID-19

Florida Cracks Down on “Vaccine Tourism”

Black Mirror or Reality? Microsoft Granted Patent for Tech That Lets It Create Chatbots of Dead People

Biden Signs 17 Executive Order During His First Day in Office. Here’s What You Need to Know

U.S. To Join WHO-led Vaccine Distribution Plan as Biden Implements a Flurry of COVID-19 Executive Orders

Accusations Against Chinese Actress Shine Light on the Nation’s Surrogacy Laws

JoJo Siwa Fans Caution Against Labeling the Star’s Sexuality

Amanda Gorman Wows the Nation With “The Hill We Climb”

Cosplay Instagram Star Belle Delphine Trolls Followers With PornHub Account

Mia Khalifa Shuts Down Death Rumors, Sparks Conversations About Plastic Surgery and Adult Film Industry

Instagram Users Tell Skai Jackson to Stop Posting About Cameron Boyce

Billie Eilish Fans Call Out Twitter User for Sexualizing the Underage Singer

Ace Family’s Austin McBroom and Team Accused of Rape

Joe Rogan Denies Spotify Censorship Rumors, According to Alex Jones

Man Kills 17-Year-Old Bianca Devins and Posts Photos Online

YouTuber MrBeast Responds to Criticism of Massive Tree Planting Project

Netflix Apologizes and Changes Marketing Materials for “Cuties” After Backlash

YouTuber Coffee Break Accuses Kurzgesagt of Being Untrustworthy, Founder Responds

The Onision Controversy Explained

WOW! Joe Rogan COVID Controversy, National Guard Outrage, Megan Thee Stallion Fake News, & More News

Trump OUT. Biden IN. What Happens Now? Inauguration 2021, Last Second Pardons, & More News

Dear Jamie, BE HONEST! ARE YOU KILLING THOSE CATS?! Also Barstool, Cody Ko, MrBeast, Navalny, &

Why Joe Rogan is Scared, Strange Armie Hammer Allegations, Justice League, Flint, UFOs, & More News

Banned From Youtube! Belle Delphine Outrage, PewDiePie, AOC, Trump Impeached Again, & More News

HOW ARE PEOPLE THIS STUPID?! New Arrests, Rumble, The Rock, Ryan Reynolds, TheGrefg, & More News

This is so Dumb & Scary! Zendaya, Corpse Husband, Bitcoin, 25th Amendment, Parler Sues, & More News

WOW! David Dobrik Scam Accusations, Horrifying Exposé Sparks Deletion, & More Cyberpunk 2077 Fallout

DISGUSTING! What They Aren’t Telling You About This New Ban & Today’s Ws and Ls: Valkyrae, SCOTUS, &

WHO IS LYING? Video Exposes Controversial Florida Raid & Olivia Jade Felony Scandal Redemption Tour

The Truth About Logan Paul: The Most Successful Loser Ever. Gal Gadot, HBO Max, Georgia Runoffs, &

Belle Delphine Responds To Outrage After Tweeting Out Graphic Photos

Capitol Officer Used Himself as a Distraction To Lead Mob Away From Elected Officials During Insurrection Attempt

FDA Recalls 11,000 Ice Cream Containers and Sportsmix Pet Food Products

Netflix Will Release a New Movie Every Week in 2021

Vogue Faces Backlash for Using Casual Photo of Kamala Harris on Print Cover

House Impeaches Trump By Largest Bipartisan Margin in History

Petition Calls for Ban on Sexualized Fanfiction in South Korea

Multiple Capitol Police Officers Have Been Suspended, Other Officers Now Under Investigation

Black Mirror or Reality? Microsoft Granted Patent for Tech That Lets It Create Chatbots of Dead People

Italy Begins Largest Mob Trial in Decades

Signal and Telegram Downloads Surge After WhatsApp Announces It Will Share Data With Facebook

WOW! Joe Rogan COVID Controversy, National Guard Outrage, Megan Thee Stallion Fake News, & More News

House To Send Impeachment Article Monday, Starting Impeachment Trial Process

Russia Orders Social Media Sites To Block Calls for Navalny Protests

Joe Rogan Says Grimes Did Not Give Dave Chappelle COVID-19

Florida Cracks Down on “Vaccine Tourism”

Black Mirror or Reality? Microsoft Granted Patent for Tech That Lets It Create Chatbots of Dead People

Biden Signs 17 Executive Order During His First Day in Office. Here’s What You Need to Know

U.S. To Join WHO-led Vaccine Distribution Plan as Biden Implements a Flurry of COVID-19 Executive Orders

Accusations Against Chinese Actress Shine Light on the Nation’s Surrogacy Laws

JoJo Siwa Fans Caution Against Labeling the Star’s Sexuality

Amanda Gorman Wows the Nation With “The Hill We Climb”

WOW! Joe Rogan COVID Controversy, National Guard Outrage, Megan Thee Stallion Fake News, & More News

Trump OUT. Biden IN. What Happens Now? Inauguration 2021, Last Second Pardons, & More News

Dear Jamie, BE HONEST! ARE YOU KILLING THOSE CATS?! Also Barstool, Cody Ko, MrBeast, Navalny, &

Why Joe Rogan is Scared, Strange Armie Hammer Allegations, Justice League, Flint, UFOs, & More News

Banned From Youtube! Belle Delphine Outrage, PewDiePie, AOC, Trump Impeached Again, & More News

HOW ARE PEOPLE THIS STUPID?! New Arrests, Rumble, The Rock, Ryan Reynolds, TheGrefg, & More News

This is so Dumb & Scary! Zendaya, Corpse Husband, Bitcoin, 25th Amendment, Parler Sues, & More News

WOW! David Dobrik Scam Accusations, Horrifying Exposé Sparks Deletion, & More Cyberpunk 2077 Fallout

DISGUSTING! What They Aren’t Telling You About This New Ban & Today’s Ws and Ls: Valkyrae, SCOTUS, &

WHO IS LYING? Video Exposes Controversial Florida Raid & Olivia Jade Felony Scandal Redemption Tour
