Episodes – Page 1365

Take it from Olympic athlete Adam Rippon: 'Don't put a limit on your dreams'

Adam Rippon and mom, Kelly, smile proudly as he displays his bronze medal from the 2018 Winter Olympics. (Courtesy Adam Rippon) (NEW YORK) — Adam Rippon has had quite a year.

In 2018 alone, the 29-year-old figure skater from Scranton, Pennsylvania, made history and became the first openly gay U.S. athlete to medal at the Olympic Games; competed and won ABC’s Dancing With The Stars; and became a role model to many for his ability to combine humor, grace and style — inside and outside the skating rink.

“There’s nothing like it,” Rippon told GMA about the feeling he gets when he skates. The athlete has burst into the pop culture scene after stealing the spotlight during the Olympics.

Even though Adam Rippon’s life may look picture-perfect now, it took a lot of hard work and dedication (and a couple of faux-pas) to get there.

We took a trip down memory lane with Rippon to learn more about his journey to success and the lessons he’s picked up along the way.

1. You stop growing when you stop learning

“I look like that one episode from Seinfeld where Jerry has to wear the puffy pirate shirt,” Rippon remarked. This photo is from one of his first skating competitions.

The Pennsylvania native picked up his first ice skates when he was 10 years old.

“I remember those feelings of it being new, it all being fresh and loving and enjoying what I was doing.”

Rippon urged others to embrace the feeling you get when you master a new skill.

“Don’t ever lose that, because you stop growing when you stop learning,” he said.

2. Fear is your secret weapon

Just this past year, Rippon was one of three male figure skaters selected to represent the United States at the Olympic Games in South Korea.

Rippon called the Olympic experience both “amazing” and “awful.”

“I was ready, I was prepared, but there’s always those moments of feeling so nervous,” he said.

He was filled with confidence and fear, adding that at one point he wanted to hide in the bathroom before a competitions and “lock the door … maybe [the judges] will move right past me and not even notice.”

“If you take that [fear], it can be sort of your secret weapon,” he added.

Rippon won a bronze medal with his team in figure skating, making history as the first openly gay U.S. athlete to medal at any Winter Olympics.

He announced his retirement from competitive skating in November after nearly 10 years on the ice.

“Looking back at this photo … it’s a way for me to reconnect with skating in a way where it’s just for pure enjoyment,” Rippon said.

3. Don’t put a limit on your dreams

Family is important to Rippon. His mother, Kelly, is the one who introduced him to skating and the two are still close to this day.

“The best lesson my mom ever taught me was to always dream big and always think big.”

Rippon said that his mom always encouraged him that no goal was too big to achieve.

“I never thought it would be impossible to go to the Olympics. I never thought it would be impossible to do any of the things I’ve gotten to do because my mom always taught me not to put a limit on what I was capable of,” he said.

4. Embrace holiday traditions

Rippon may be able to take a selfie like a pro now, but even he has a few “embarrassing” family photos from his childhood.

This particular one of 5-year-old Rippon with his younger brothers brings a smile to his face.

“This picture kind of shows one of the traditions we had growing up and that was we always wanted to take a holiday photo,” Rippon said.

As part of tradition, “everyone needs a matching outfit,” he said of this mall photo shoot.

Although getting the perfect shot could be “stressful” at times, Rippon remembers these moments with his family fondly.

“Looking back, it’s probably some of the most fun and funniest memories I have from the holidays,” he added.

5. Be grateful for your success

Since the Olympic Games, Rippon has embarked on many different adventures outside the rink — from winning Dancing With The Stars to sponsorship deals with brands like VapoCool.

“When I see this [photo], I see a businessman.”

Like any good businessman, Rippon said he makes sure to work with companies whose products he would use himself.

As an athlete who could rarely take a sick day and also had to deal with random drug tests, Rippon said VapoCool products were some of the only medicines he trusted to use throughout his career.

“Take all the things that helped make your success possible; be thankful and be grateful for them,” he said.

If you continue to have that mindset, “it will lead you to really great things in the future,” Rippon said.

Scoreboard Roundup — 12/20/18

iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Thursday’s sports events:

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Miami 101 Houston 99
L.A. Clippers 125 Dallas 121

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Pittsburgh     2 Minnesota       1
Detroit        4 Carolina        1
Boston         3 Anaheim         1
Columbus       2 New Jersey      1
Toronto        6 Florida         1
Philadelphia   2 Nashville       1
Chicago        5 Dallas          2
Montreal       2 Arizona         1
SO Tampa Bay 5, Calgary 4
Vancouver 5, St. Louis 1
Vegas          4 N-Y Islanders   2
Winnipeg       5 San Jose        3

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
(2) Duke 69 (12) Texas Tech 58
(21) Houston 60 Utah St. 50

The-Dream is rallying behind Jacquees' “king of R&B” claim: “That's how you gotta talk”

Prince Williams/WireimageJacquees has found a supporter in veteran producer and songwriter The-Dream.

On Thursday, the highly-decorated R&B artist sat down with Apple Music’s Beats 1 to discuss his forthcoming project, Ménage à Trois: Sextape Vol. 1, 2, 3, as well offer up his thoughts on the heated “king of R&B” debate. Bottom line: The-Dream is backing Jacquees’ bold proclamation.

“[Jacquees] said he the king. You gotta be the king man, you know. That’s how you gotta talk, man. You gotta talk that way,” the “Love on Top” songwriter begins.

“I did the same thing before I wrote ‘Single Ladies.’ I walked in the studio and I was known for talking myself into a corner,” he continues. “I was like, ‘I have to have it.’ If it’s not like that, I won’t build up to the place. And everybody took that for as me being asinine at the time.”

He added, “That was..how I dealt with pressure and everything. So I walked into the studio, [and said] ‘I don’t know who got the single in here, but you ain’t got it no more.’ [And] I didn’t know what I was going to write!”

Despite The-Dream’s co-sign, Jacquees has faced extreme criticism over his statement from the likes of Trey Songz, Tank, Bobby Brown and more.

Social media goes wild after apparent Beyonce music leak on Spotify, Apple Music

Markus Klinko and Modern Rocks GalleryBeyonce fans went wild on Thursday amid rumors of a pair of surprise albums from the superstar, but the excitement quickly fizzled.

About 20 previously unreleased Beyonce tracks surfaced on Spotify and Apple Music under the pseudonym Queen Carter, but the songs were mostly b-sides and demos from previous albums.

The tracks were uploaded between Dec. 14 and Dec. 15 in the form of two albums: “Back Up, Rewind” and “Have Your Way.” The tracks came to light on Thursday when Twitter users began posting about new music from the queen.

Notably, the songs were not uploaded to JAY-Z’s Tidal platform.

Fans went crazy online as members of the Beyhive shared screenshots from the music platforms using the “Queen Carter” hashtag, but the excitement turned to heartbreak when users realized that they were all old songs.

One of the tracks, “Keep Giving Your Love to Me,” was featured on the Bad Boys II soundtrack, the film starring Martin Lawrence and Will Smith, in 2003. Another track, “Hollywood” featuring JAY-Z, appeared on the rapper’s ninth studio album, 2006’s Kingdom Come.

It’s not clear if Beyonce uploaded the songs herself. Queen Bey’s representatives didn’t immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.

JAY-Z denies he's trying to convince Travis Scott to drop out of Maroon 5 Super Bowl halftime show

ABC/Randy HolmesWhile neither the NFL, Maroon 5 nor Travis Scott have confirmed rumors that the group and the rapper will share the stage during halftime at the Super Bowl in Atlanta this February, JAY-Z is now responding to a report that he’s inserted himself into the story.

As previously reported, Variety claimed that Jay has been trying to talk Travis out of participating in the halftime show — ostensibly because Jay has been critical of the NFL’s treatment of Colin Kaepernick.

However, in a statement to ABC News, Jay says of Scott, “He deserves to headline [the Super Bowl]. I’m not trying to talk him out of it. He’s big enough to not be a side act. Rap/R&B aka black music is the biggest in the world!”

As for La Flame being a “side act,” Variety‘s report speculated that because Travis has never actually collaborated with Maroon 5, he’d likely perform at least one of his own hits during the event.

Variety also claims three other acts will join Scott and Maroon 5 during the show.

Layzie Bone rips into Migos on 'TMZ Live': “You have to show respect”

ABC/Randy HolmesLayzie Bone is continuing his tirade against Migos.

On Wednesday, the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony co-founder was a featured guest on TMZ Live, and he discussed his feud with the Atlanta trio. During the sit-down, Layzie expanded on his issues with Migos, and what he perceives as a lack of “homage” among this current generation of rap stars.

“I’m just here to set the record straight,” he begins. “Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, we did a lot and to be overlooked in the capacity of disrespect, it’s all around the board right now. It’s in R&B. It’s like the young guys against the old guys, but really, that’s not what it’s about, man. It’s about paying homage to the bricklayers, to the ones that came before us.”

The “Crossroads” songwriter continued, “You have to show respect. How would you know where you’re going if you don’t know where you came from? We one of the greatest. We gon’ kick they a** because that’s what we gonna do.”

“This ain’t about no fame or getting no pub, but if you claim the greatest, all I’m saying is, in hip-hop, we coming for your neck,” he added.

As previously reported, the veteran lyricist checked the Quality Control Music signees after catching wind of their recent comments in XXL‘s winter issue. In the feature story, Offset boldly claims that he and his “Walk It Talk It” cohorts are the “biggest group in the world to ever exist.”

The back-and-forth between Layzie and Migos has since turned into a war of memes and less-than-subtle jabs via social media.

Tamar Braxton reveals her sister Traci Braxton will be her opening act next week

WEtv

In spite of their previously strained relationship, Tamar Braxton and Traci Braxton are starting a new chapter as tour mates.

On Wednesday, the Calling All Lovers singer announced that she will be doing two concerts in New York City, along with her big sister. She took to Instagram to share the news, writing: “Guess what everybody!!!!…. I’ve asked my AMAZING sister @therealtracibraxton to open up for me in NYC. I’m so excited that we are working together!!”

She added, “Let’s see if she will join the #tamartian meet and greets too.”

The sisters are slated to hit center stage on December 28th and December 29 at New York’s Sony Hall. Fans can purchase tickets online at Ticketmaster.

The Queen of Rap: Fans think Nicki Minaj's latest Vogue cover look was inspired by Lil Kim

ABC/Image Group LA

Nicki Minaj‘s latest Vogue Japan cover has ruffled quite a few feathers, particularly those of Lil Kim‘s devout fans.

Wednesday night, upon the issue’s release, fans began to draw similarities between the Head Barb’s cover look and the Queen Bee’s eclectic style. In the cover photo, Nicki is seen rocking an auburn set of locks, lighter eyebrows and, most notably, a pronounced mole by her upper lip.

And, now fans are accusing the “Good Form” rapper of attempting to co-opt Kim’s signature look. Even Lil’ Kim’s stylist, Tim B., joined in on the conversation.

“If you never seen the movie single white female you need to go & watch it… because this is what this situation is! At this point I’m scared for my friend @lilkimthequeenbee,” he wrote on Instagram. “Shorty stole her style, management team and now her moles.”

Lil’ Kim apparently liked the post but hasn’t commented publicly on the matter otherwise.

Meek Mill on Travis Scott's rumored Super Bowl performance: “He don't need that”

Miller Mobley

With rumors swirling that Travis Scott will be performing during Super Bowl halftime with Maroon 5, Meek Mill is weighing in on the matter.

Early Thursday morning, after catching wind of the news, the Championships lyricist took to Twitter to share his thoughts. “[Travis Scott] don’t need that,” Meek wrote to his nearly 10 million followers. “He on fire already! Stay strong in this s***!”

The Philly native later added, “And don’t get it twisted I f*** with Travis too!”

As previously reported, TMZ claims that the NFL has managed to lock down Travis as a guest performer alongside Maroon 5. The group, led by Adam Levine, is allegedly having trouble finding artists who’ll agree to join them onstage at the coveted game February 3 in Atlanta due to their solidarity with Colin Kaepernick.

Meanwhile, Variety reports that Travis will be one of four acts in total who will be joining Maroon 5 onstage, but that JAY-Z is trying to talk La Flame out of performing.

However, Variety also notes that Maroon 5 and Scott are affiliated with the same management company, which would explain why the rapper entered the picture in the first place.

Report: Janet Jackson hit with $300K lawsuit by former tour manager

Solaiman Fazel

On the heels of her Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction announcement, Janet Jackson is reportedly facing a hefty lawsuit from her former tour manager, Danny O’Donovan.

In a report, from TMZ, O’Donovan claims he went months without pay after being hired in July 2016 to assist on Jackson’s State of the World Tour. O’Donovan asserts in court documents that he and the famed singer agreed upon a monthly payment of $25,000. However, he says he’s yet to receive a dime.

O’Donovan is now suing Jackson for $300,000, the amount he claims he’s owed for his 17-month long period of employment.

Miss Jackson has yet to comment on the matter.