Bob Marley’s 80th, Lil Wayne’s Super Bowl Snub, Hailee Steinfeld’s Red Carpet, Record Store Day 2025, & More News

On what would have been Bob Marley’s 80th birthday, renowned photographer Kate Simon reflects on her cherished memories of working with the reggae legend. Simon, who had a close friendship with Marley, captured the iconic image used for his 1978 Kaya album. speaking to Independent, Simon recalls the weeks spent on the road with the Buffalo Soldier” star, who passed away in 1981 at just 36.Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Simon describes Marley as the best performer she had ever seen, blending normal moments with his rock star presence. her most memorable moment, however, was a visit to Marley home in Kingston, Jamaica, just after his one love peace concert, where he famously brought together political rivals Michael Manley and Edward Seaga during a time of unrest. Simon remembers how proud Marley felt after the concert, with his Coptic cross in hand, believing he had accomplished a Jah-inspired victory.

This year, as fans worldwide celebrate Bob Marley 80th birthday, the celebrations are especially significant. In Jamaica, Julian Marley, Bob son, will headline the annual musical tribute at Emancipation park in Kingston. Julian promises a powerful performance, blending his own music with his father’s timeless songs, aiming to bring the spirit of Bob Marley to life.

If you’re into celebrity sightings, Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans is delivering plenty in the days leading up to the big game. Just hours after attending Steve Gleason’s Game Changer Gala, actor Keegan-Michael Key was spotted with New Orleans icon Mr. Greg outside the Royal House Oyster Bar. the bar shared the moment on Instagram, saying, “Nothing beats having The Big Game in NOLA.” While it wasn’t revealed whether Key indulged in any oysters while visiting the French Quarter spot, he did share some good laughs with NFL legend Drew Brees the night before at Mardi Gras world. the two joked about playing pickleball together before introducing Gleason at the star-studded gala, adding a fun and light-hearted touch to the event. It’s clear that the Super Bowl festivities in New Orleans are just as much about the celebrations off the field as they are on it.

Record Store Day 2025 is shaping up to be a vinyl lover dream with a vast lineup of exclusives, featuring over 350 titles that will hit stores on April 12. While it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of releases, you’ve got time to explore the full list, and Variety is here to give you a quick rundown of some of the most highly anticipated titles.

Among the highlights, you’ll find a mix of classic rock, hip-hop, country, jazz, and contemporary pop. Some of the biggest names on the 2025 list include Taylor Swift, John Lennon, Prince, Wu-Tang Clan, Post Malone, Gracie Abrams, Charli XCX, and many more. Post Malone, who is also the official Record Store Day ambassador this year, is releasing a special Nirvana tribute album. The 14-track record includes covers of iconic Nirvana tracks like “Come as You Are,” “Lounge Act,” and “Heart-Shaped Box,” featuring Travis Barker on drums and Brian Lee on bass. This tribute album, which originally aired as a live stream in 2020, helped raise funds for COVID-19 relief, and now the profits will go toward musiCares’ Addiction Recovery/Mental Health division.

In addition to Post Malone’s tribute, there are plenty of vinyl gems for rock fans, including anniversary editions from bands like Deicide, Judas Priest (with a live album from 1982), and Black Sabbath’s special Tony Martin album. For metalheads, there’s also new material from Sunn O))) and classic releases from bands like Chevelle and Saxon.

This year Record Store Day lineup spans a variety of genres and offers something for every vinyl collector, whether you’re into rock, pop, hip-hop, or something more niche. With releases from legends like David Bowie, U2, George Harrison, Sam Smith, and more, the day promises to be packed with unforgettable, limited-edition treasures. Make sure to mark your calendars for April 12 and start building your shopping list!

Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld made their red carpet debut at the NFL Honors on February 6 in New Orleans, just months after announcing their engagement. The couple, both 28, attended the event amid the Super Bowl excitement, looking stunning as they showcased their love. Steinfeld dazzled in a strapless black velvet gown that flowed to her ankles, paired with black pointed-toe pumps. She accessorized with a diamond choker, stud earrings, and, of course, her sparkling engagement ring. Allen, who led the Buffalo Bills to the AFC championship before they were eliminated by the Kansas city Chiefs, looked sharp in a sleek black suit, white button-down shirt, and black tie.

Following the Bills’ Super Bowl exit, Steinfeld spoke to E! News about how proud she was of Allen’s season. “To say the least, I am so proud of that man,” she shared, adding, “he is the hardest working person I know.”

The couple announced their engagement on November 29, after Allen proposed on November 22. They shared a romantic moment on Instagram, with Allen on one knee in front of an arch of pink and red roses by the water, confirming their happy news with a caption marking the engagement date.

Steinfeld and Allen first became linked in May 2023, shortly after rumors surfaced about Allen split from his previous girlfriend, Brittany Williams. A source confirmed their relationship, saying they were “having fun.”

Steinfeld’s fans can look forward to seeing more of her soon, as her next movie, Sinners, is set to open in theaters on April 18.

When Ben Stiller was just 8 years old, he had a life-changing experience on the set of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. His father, Jerry Stiller, was playing a transit cop in the 1974 thriller alongside Walter Matthau. It was during a night shoot, with giant lights illuminating the slick city streets around the Triborough Bridge, that young Ben had his epiphany. “It was so cool, so cool,” he recalls. now 59, Stiller reflects on the moment from his red hour Productions office in the west village, looking out over the Hudson River, a view that takes him back to his childhood apartment on Riverside Drive.

Jerry Stiller and his wife, Anne Meara, were one of the most successful comedy duos in history, regularly appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show. But for Ben, it wasn’t just performing that captured his attention—it was the camera. As a teenager, he became a cinephile, subscribing to American Cinematographer, collecting making-of film books, and hanging a start-of-production announcement for the 1980 Blues Brothers movie on his bedroom wall. “Growing up, there was always performing going on in the house,” Stiller says, but for him, it was always about the behind-the-scenes magic.

Now, Stiller latest project executive producing and directing the majority of episodes of Severance on Apple TV+ marks the fulfillment of that childhood fascination with storytelling and film production. The show, which blends tension, drama, and humor, is a genre-straddling masterpiece reminiscent of the films of the 1970s. It reflects the kind of storytelling young Ben admired, though he took a detour into comedy stardom with films like There’s Something About Mary, Zoolander, and the Meet the Parents and Night at the Museum franchises before finally returning to his first love directing.

As Severance continues into its second season, the mysterious figure of Kier Eagan, founder of Lumon Industries, remains at the center of the plot. The latest episode of Season 2 delves deeper into Eagan’s enigmatic legacy, shedding new light on his book Compliance, which guides the culture of Lumon. The employees of the MDR team learn about a fourth appendix, dictated by Eagan in the final hours of his life, which is so sacred that it is forbidden on the severed floor. Milchick (played by Tramell Tillman) instructs the team to seek out this forbidden knowledge in Scissor Cave, the place where Eagan allegedly tamed his Four Tempers—Woe, Frolic, Dread, and Malice. In “Woe’s Hollow,” the team uncovers pivotal information about Eagan’s philosophy and his control over Lumon’s culture, leaving viewers with many more questions to unravel.

Ben Stiller journey from childhood fascination with filmmaking to the creation of Severance illustrates the power of following one’s passion, and how the blend of personal experience and creative evolution can bring about something extraordinary

Following Amanda Riley’s viral cancer-faking scheme, her husband, Cory Riley, has largely retreated from the public eye. As Amanda story unfolds in the Scamanda docuseries, many are left wondering about Cory whereabouts and whether he had any involvement in the scam.

In 2020, Amanda was charged with wire fraud after collecting over $100,000 in online donations from unsuspecting individuals who believed she was battling cancer. Her elaborate deception spanned years, as she claimed to be suffering from stage three Hodgkin’s lymphoma, even starting a blog, Lymphoma Can Suck It, to document her supposed journey. Her online presence garnered a loyal following, which she exploited to raise money for fake medical expenses.

The scam went undetected for years until 2019 when a close friend tipped off investigative producer Nancy Moscatiello. After a five-year investigation, Amanda’s lies were exposed. In 2022, Amanda pled guilty to wire fraud, was sentenced to five years in prison, and ordered to pay $105,000 in restitution to her victims.

As for Cory, the impact of Amanda’s scheme has been profound. While Amanda’s story has gained widespread attention through the Scamanda docuseries, cory has kept a low profile, and little is known about his current whereabouts.

Throughout the scandal, Amanda went to extreme lengths to keep up the ruse. she shaved her head, fabricated medical documents, and even convinced family members to support her claims. She also attacked anyone who questioned her story. Federal prosecutors identified at least 349 individuals who had donated over $100,000 in total to cover Amanda fabricated medical bills.

Cory role in the scheme is still unclear, with many wondering if he was complicit in the deception. the public curiosity surrounding his involvement continues to grow as the scamanda docuseries sheds more light on scandal. SEASION 2

Despite the public attention, Cory has remained out of the spotlight, perhaps in an effort to move past the trauma of the scandal that rocked his life and his family. His current whereabouts remain unknown, and it seems likely that he will continue to stay out of the public eye for the foreseeable future.