Taylor Swift's Apple letter update

Photo from: Haven Middleton's Pinterest account

Taylor Swift wrote an open letter to Apple on Sunday, which she posted on her Tumblr account. The letter outlined Swift's dissatisfaction with the way Apple Music conducts its free three month trial. Swift's issue is that "any writers, producers or artists involved with the music streamed won't be paid during that time period".

In the letter the pop starlet insists that this is not about her. "This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought the royalties would get them out of debt. Three months is a long time to go unpaid. We don't ask you for free iPhones. Please don't ask us to provide you with our music with no compensation" the 25-year-old wrote.

Swift's words seemed to have worked, because Apple's Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services, Eddy Cue took to Twitter to tell the Shake It Off singer that he understands her issues and that Apple has decided to change the way they pay and compensate artists. "#AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customers free trial period" Cue tweeted. Cue personally called Swift to let her know of the changes, so the singer tweeted a celebratory message to her fans and fellow artists "I am elated and relieved. Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us" she tweeted. 

Got any opinions, comments and thoughts on this story? Feel free to leave your comments in the comment box below!    

STARDUST News Bytes- June 5

Photo from: Jaclyn Kingsbury's Pinterest account

It's Friday, so that means it's time for STARDUST News Bytes! Here are some of the top entertainment news headlines from around the world this week...just in case you missed it!


Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are expecting baby number two. Kim slams twin and surrogacy rumours
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced the arrival of their second child this week. The reality TV star went on a Twitter rant in order to straighten out rumours that she is expecting twins and using a surrogate. "Can't wait til my website is active. I'm gonna do live video streaming so every time someone talks sh*t I can go blast the f**k outta them. People make up so much even people close who u think are legit. Truth time" Kardashian tweeted. 

Sam Smith can speak again
After three weeks of not being able to talk due to vocal chord surgery,  British singer Sam Smith can finally speak again! In April Smith was forced to postpone his Australian tour after being diagnosed with a hemorrhage on his vocal chords. By May things had gotten worse for the 23-year-old, as he had to undergo vocal chord surgery. Smith instagrammed a photo of Ariel from The Little Mermaid getting her voice back, with the caption I CAN SPEAK AGAIN !!!!!!!! Smith also announced the new dates for his Australian tour. "From all the bad news has come some good news!! Not only am I coming back to make up for the cancelled shows but I get to play bloody arenas!!!! So excited to sing for all of you and apologise personally for my bleeding throat xxxx" Smith wrote.

Kim Richards not to return to Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Kim Richards will not be returning for the next season of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,after her recent return to rehab. The reality television star may make a cameo appearance in an episode or two of season six, but she will not be a regular on the show. Richards entered rehab for a fourth time after being arrested for public intoxication at the Beverly Hills Hotel in April. The 50-year-old was recently let out of rehab to attend her daughter Brooke's wedding in Mexico, but is now back. No other official casting decisions have been announced for the new season.

Arnold Schwarzenegger wanted to be president
Arnold Scwarzenegger was in Sydney recently to promote his new film, Terminator Genisys, and he revealed that if he was eligible he would run for president. "Everyone knows that if I was American-born I would probably run for president. I could do a better job than these guys can, trust me" he said. The action star and former governor of California cannot run for the country's top job because of the US constitution's natural-born citizen clause for the offices of president and vice-president. 

Iggy Azalea abruptly cancels US tour
Australian rapper, Iggy Azalea already postponed some of her live dates earlier this year. At the time her team insisted that her act just needed 'more time in development'. On Friday however, all the dates for Azalea's US tour were cancelled. "There will be a new tour planned around Iggy's new record to be released in 2016" ticket holders were told. The 24-year-old was meant to kick off her tour on September 18.

Got any opinions or thoughts on any of this week's news bytes? Feel free to comment in the comment box below! 

Information compiled from: Entertainment Tonight and The Daily Telegraph      

Introducing Caitlyn Jenner

Photo from: Caitlyn Jenner's Twitter account

Believe it or not I was actually going to entitle this blog post Call me Caitlyn when I first heard the news about July's Vanity Fair cover (this was before I saw it of course), but in the interest of not being sued for copyright I decided to change the title.

It has been a big week of Kardashian news, with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announcing the impending arrival of their second child on Sunday, but what has really taken the world by storm is when Kardashian's step-father formerly known to everyone as Bruce Jenner unveiled 'her' new name and look in July's issue of Vanity Fair, so I'd like to introduce you to...Caitlyn Jenner everyone!

Many well-wishers have congratulated Jenner on the debut, including the White House, and of course the Kardashian clan. "I'm so happy after such a long struggle to be living my true self. Welcome to the world Caitlyn. Can't wait for you to get to know her/me" Jenner tweeted.  On the Vanity Fair cover the 65-year-old former Olympian is wearing a cream-coloured strapless bodysuit and has long brown hair. 

The reality TV star quickly broke President Obama's record of gaining one million Twitter followers in the shortest time, with her new @Caitlyn_Jenner account. "Caitlyn Jenner" and the hashtag #CallMeCaitlyn quickly skyrocketed to the top of Twitter's trending topics in the US and worldwide.

I think I've said it before but I will reiterate again, even though I'm an entertainment news blogger I actually can't stand the Kardashians. I think Caitlyn Jenner is just as attention-seeking as the rest of the family, that being said though I do wish her luck and all the best with this new chapter of life. I just hope that these changes are being done for the right reasons, and it's not some extreme publicity stunt to gain the most Twitter followers, compete with the Kardashian family phenomenon, or some other silly thing. 

I'd love to hear your opinions and thoughts on this one! So feel free to leave your comments in the comment box below!

 



  

Prince Jackson graduates high school

Photo from: La Toya Jackson's Twitter account

Michael Jackson's eldest child, Prince Jackson graduated from Buckley High School in Sherman Oaks, California on Saturday. The happy news was shared on social media by the King Of Pop's sister and Prince's aunt, La Toya Jackson. "So very proud of @princemjjjaxon YOU DID! And you did it with Honors!!! #buckleyclassof2015" Jackson tweeted. 

Of course, Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson was in attendance at her grandson's graduation ceremony, as well as Prince's sister, Paris Jackson and a few other relatives. Those silver tassels on Prince's graduation robes mean that he graduated with honours! So a huge congratulations goes out to Prince Jackson on this very important milestone in his life! The world is his oyster and so many opportunities await him I'm sure. It's just so sad that the King Of Pop couldn't be there himself to witness his son graduating high school, but I'm sure he would've been so proud just as any other parent would. Michael Jackson would have been shining down on his son yesterday for sure!