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SAN JOSE, Calif. — Serena Williams walked off the court offering waves to a supportive Bay Area crowd that certainly didn't expect to see the 23-time Grand Slam champion's early exit.
In the most lopsided defeat of her career, Williams' disappointing night ended in less than an hour as she lost her opening match of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic on Tuesday night to Johanna Konta, 6-1, 6-0.
When the 52-minute match ended on Williams' forehand into the net, she quickly grabbed her gear and headed off the court. She had never won only one game — she won her serve for the initial game Tuesday then not another. She got two games at the 2014 WTA finals in Singapore, falling 6-0, 6-2 to Simona Halep.
"I know I can play a zillion times better so that kind of helps out, too. I have so many things on my mind I don't have time to be shocked about a loss that clearly wasn't at my best right now," Williams said. "When I was out there, was fighting. That's the only thing I can say, I wasn't just like giving it away and I was moving a lot better. So I'm just trying to take the positives out of it."
While Williams was encouraged by her court coverage, she hardly looked like herself on a cool summer evening. She double-faulted and landed drop shots in the net. Williams missed returns and sprayed her groundstrokes long and wide.
Konta, who captured her first WTA title two years ago at Stanford, got on a roll with a quick first set and didn't take a chance in letting Williams get back in it. Konta closed the first game of the second with consecutive aces under 100 mph.
"I think she played well in the second set," Williams said. "I wasn't sharp at all in the first set and I think she got confident and clearly ran away with it."
The sixth-seeded Williams is a three-time champion in the Bay Area. This marked the fifth tournament for the 36-year-old Williams since giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia, last September. It's her first tournament since her straight-set Wimbledon loss to Angelique Kerber.
Williams shrugged in disbelief when things went well, and when they didn't. She gestured with her hand when the ball hit the lowest part of the net.
Williams had moments of brilliant shot-making to win long rallies, then would put a drop shot into the net and sigh in disappointment.
The good shots were to be celebrated.
She pumped her left arm and yelled "yes!" after winning the first point of the second game in the second. Williams then outlasted Konta for a long third point but was unable to hold serve.
"It's difficult, I guess. It's not I guess, for sure," she said of trying to find that consistency again.
Williams, wearing a long-sleeved red dress and headband and cheered by the pro-Williams crowd, lost her second service game in the initial set and Konta then held for 3-1 as Williams made unforced errors with her timing not quite consistently there on the serve and ground game.
In the sixth game of the first set, Konta hit a 101 mph ace for ad then Williams got it back to deuce before Konta held for 5-1.
Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, returned to the Bay Area event for what is the former Stanford WTA stop that moved to San Jose State University for the first time.
Big sister Venus is also playing here this week.
From here, Serena Williams goes to Montreal next week as she received a wild card into the Rogers Cup.
Following her loss in the Wimbledon final to Angelique Kerber, Williams said she had proven to herself that she could still compete to win Grand Slams.
Her next Grand Slam title would tie her with Margaret Court for the most with 24. She already has the most major trophies in the professional era.
Williams was treated for frightening blood clots after having her baby. At the All England Club, she wore special compression leggings as a precaution.
Jennifer Beals and Peter Gallagher have joined the cast of After, the movie based on Anna Todd's bestselling novels that started out as a blowout fan-fiction success on Wattpad. They join Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin who are toplining the pic, which Jenny Gage is directing from Susan McMartin's script.
Aviron Pictures acquired rights to the film this week and has set an April 12, 2019 release date. Production is underway now in Atlanta.
After is a story of self-discovery and sexual awakening that centers on Tessa (Langford), a dedicated student, dutiful daughter and loyal girlfriend to her high school sweetheart as she enters her first semester in college. Her guarded world opens up when she meets the dark and mysterious Hardin Scott (Tiffin), a magnetic, brooding rebel who makes her question all she thought she knew about herself and what she wants out of life.
Gallagher will play Ken Scott, Hardin's father and the chancellor of the university Hardin and Tessa attend. He and his son have a rocky relationship stemming from something traumatic that happened during Hardin's childhood. Beals will play Karen Gibson, the mother of Landon (Shane Paul McGhie), who marries Ken and develops a close relationship with Tessa, and who also wants to help Ken mend his relationship with Hardin.
Khadijha Red Thunder, Samuel Larsen, Inanna Sarkis, Pia Mia and Swen Temmel also star.
Beals, who most recently starred on NBC's Taken, also recurred on Amazon's The Last Tycoon which lasted one season. She also is executive producing and returning to the cast of The L Word, the sequel series in the works at Showtime. She is repped by APA and Felker Toczek.
Gallagher has been recurring on Netflix's Grace and Frankie and NBC's Law & Order: SVU. He is repped by Gersh and John Carrabino Management.
Chicago Fire has filled Gabby Dawson's vacant seat in the ambulance.
Annie Ilonzeh (Arrow,Charlie's Angels) will recur during Season 7 of the NBC drama as paramedic Emily Foster, our sister site Variety reports.
Emily is new to the Chicago Fire Department, and while she has a chip on her shoulder from previous bumps in the road, her easygoing and confident attitude allows her to take everything in stride. (Sounds like she and fellow medic/partner Sylvie Brett should get along like gangbusters.)
Ilonzeh's character fills the space left by the departure of original series star Monica Raymund, who announced in May that she was leaving the show after playing paramedic Gabby Dawson for six seasons. Ilonzeh's other TV credits include Person of Interest, Empire, Switched at Birth and General Hospital.
Additionally, Variety reports that Steven Boyer (Trial & Error) will recur as former firefighter-turned-CFD Assistant Deputy Commissioner Jerry Gorsch, who has his sights set on a cushier job at headquarters.
Chicago Fire Season 7 premieres Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 9/8c, sandwiched between Med and P.D. as part of NBC's new #OneChicago block.
Beyoncé will be on the cover of Vogue's September issue, fashion sources told Page Six.
The singer was on the cover of the vaunted September issue in 2015, and has been on the cover of other Vogue issues in 2009 and 2013.
In 2015, Mario Testino photographed Beyoncé, but Vogue did not interview the icon, who has increasingly controlled her image.
Meanwhile, rumors continue to swirl that the issue could be Anna Wintour's last.
Reported WWD this month: "Numerous industry sources have insisted in recent weeks that Wintour is indeed set to leave her 30-year post as editor-in-chief of American Vogue, with the reveal of a soft exit thought to be coming after the all-important September issue." Condé Nast has vehemently denied the rumors.
Emmy-winner Uzo Aduba, Naturi Naughton (Power), Tristan Mack Wilds (Shots Fired, 90210), Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing (OWN's Love Is_), and Jade Eshete (Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency) have signed on to join previously announced Kofi Siriboe in MACRO's romantic drama Really Love. Angel Kristi Williams is at the helm of the film, which is currently filming in Baltimore.
Written by Williams and Felicia A. Pride, the story follows the life of a starving artist (Siriboe) in gentrifying Washington D.C. who is struggling to find his place in the prestigious art world. When a young law student (Wong-Loi-Sing) unexpectedly comes into his life, he must choose between a whirlwind romance and his budding career as a successful painter.
Dear White People producer Mel Jones is producing the project alongside MACRO chief Charles D. King, Aaliyah Williams, Kim Roth, and Williams.
Exec Producers are MACRO's Poppy Hanks, Kim Coleman, Stephanie Allain, Latisha Fortune, Sanford Grimes, and Pride.
Wong-Loi-Sing is repped by Nummer19 in The Netherlands, Gersh, RKM and Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson LLP; Aduba by UTA, Management 360 and Schreck, Rose, Dapello, Adams; Wilds by ICM, MKSD Talent Management, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman; Naughton by Alchemy Entertainment and Bloom, Hergott, Diemer, Rosenthal; Eshete by Gersh.
Garcelle Beauvais has joined Season 2 of Freeform's mermaid thriller dramaSiren in a recurring role. Production on the sophomore season got underway today in Vancouver.
Based on a story by co-writers Eric Wald and Dean White, Siren is an epic tale about the coastal town of Bristol Cove, known for its legend of once being home to mermaids. The arrival of a mysterious girl, Ryn (Eline Powell), wreaks havoc on the small fishing town as she proves the folklore true. Using their resources, marine biologists Ben (Alex Roe) and Maddie (Fola Evans-Akingbola) must work together to find out who and what drove this primal hunter of the deep sea to land and if there are more like her. Xander (Ian Verdun) is a deep-sea fisherman looking to uncover the truth and Helen (Rena Owen), the town eccentric, knows more than she lets on.
Garcelle plays Susan Bishop, Maddie's (Evans-Akingbola) mom and Dale's (Gil Birmingham) wife, who abandoned her family for the past ten months. She is back in Bristol Cove and ready to make amends with her family.
Wald and White executive produce with Emily Whitesell, who also serves as showrunner. Brad Luff, Nate Hopper, RD Robb and Matt Hastings also serve as executive producers.
Beauvais was most recently seen in a recurring role on E!'s The Arrangement and in a guest spot on Starz's Power. Her previous credits include The Jamie Foxx Show, NYPD Blue, The Magicians and a guest role on Chicago Med. On the big screen, she most recently appeared as Doris Toomes in Spider Man: Homecoming. Beauvais is repped by Gilbertson Entertainment and Innovative Artists.
Serena Williams has complained on social media that it's "test Serena" time again as she once more hit out at the frequency with which she is selected for anti-doping tests.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion took to Twitter on Tuesday night after she received another visit from a tester.
Williams tweeted: "And it's that time of the day to get 'randomly' drug tested and only test Serena. Out of all the players it's been proven I'm the one getting tested the most. Discrimination? I think so. At least I'll be keeping the sport clean."
In a second message, the 36-year-old American added: "But I'm ready to do whatever it takes to have a clean sport so bring it on. I'm excited."
Williams has complained before at being drug-tested more than other American tennis players this year.
"Just test everyone equally," Williams said on the eve of this year's Wimbledon, where she lost to Angelique Kerber in the final.
A report by Deadspin said Williams had been checked five times in 2018 by June, more than other U.S. women and men in the sport.
Williams returned to competition this season after missing more than a year as a result of pregnancy. She gave birth to a daughter last September.
As part of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's "intelligent" out-of-competition testing program, it is not unusual for top athletes — those who have had sustained success in their sport — to be tested more often than others.
Following her loss to Kerber, Williams said she had proven to herself that she could still compete to win Grand Slams. Her next Grand Slam title would tie her with Margaret Court for the most with 24. She already has the most major trophies in the professional era.
MONTREAL (AP) -- Serena Williams will play in the Rogers Cup next month at Montreal after she competes in next week's new Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose, California.
Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, is returning to the Bay Area for what is the former Stanford WTA stop that moved to San Jose State University for the first time. The event runs from July 30 to Aug. 5.
Rogers Cup tournament officials announced Tuesday that Williams received a wild card into that event, which begins Aug. 3.
Her ranking jumped from No. 181 to No. 28 after her run at Wimbledon. The 36-year-old has played in four tournaments this year after giving birth last year.
The Rogers Cup is a tuneup for the U.S. Open. Williams last played it in 2014, when she reached the semifinals. She won the event three times when it was played in Toronto.
Following her loss in the Wimbledon final to Angelique Kerber, Williams said she had proven to herself that she could still compete to win Grand Slams. Her next Grand Slam title would tie her with Margaret Court for the most with 24. She already has the most major trophies in the professional era.
Serena Williams has received a wild card to the Rogers Cup in Montreal.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion is ranked 28th in the world in the WTA rankings after taking over a year off from competitive tennis due to the birth of her child.
She's played in four tournaments in 2018, most recently at Wimbledon, in which she fell in the final to Angelique Kerber.
"We are, of course, very pleased to be able to announce the participation of Serena Williams as we have awarded her a wild card," said Rogers Cup tournament director Eugène Lapierre in a release. "After announcing our player list a few weeks ago, we were only missing Serena to complete our dream tournament. Serena has impressed everyone with the speed at which she was able to return to a high level of play. She has always been a fighter and she is proving it once again.
"I know that the fans will be happy to see her in action in Montreal. We are looking forward to welcoming her back."
The 36-year-old is a three-time winner of the Rogers Cup, with all of her Canadian titles coming in Toronto.
Williams will receive a wild card reserved for former world No. 1s, players who were ranked in the top 20 in 2017 or who have won a Grand Slam, WTA Finals, or Premier Mandatory title earlier in their careers. Victoria Azarenka was also given this entry back in June.
Eugenie Bouchard has also been given one of three wild cards reserved for Canadian players.
Alexis Ohanian took date night to another level Saturday by apparently whisking wife Serena Williams off to Italy for dinner.
"She wanted Italian for dinner, so …," the Reddit co-founder posted on Instagram.
Another of Ohanian's snaps from the romantic trip showed a scenic stroll.
"Venezia made a great first impression on the family. We'll certainly be back," Ohanian, 35, shared Sunday.
Williams, 36, recently competed in Wimbledon, losing the title to German tennis player Angelique Kerber. She gushed about her Italian getaway Saturday on social media.
"Loving family time in beautiful Italy. What an insane room I stayed in. I got to look at stars from my bed at night!! This week has been a dream! " she wrote.
Callie and Mariana will reunite with their moms on Good Trouble. The Fosters stars Teri Polo and Sherri Saum are set to appear on the upcoming spinoff series Good Trouble, toplined by Maia Mitchell and Cierra Ramirez. I hear Polo and Saum are booked for two episodes in the first half of Good Trouble's first season.
Good Trouble follows Callie (Mitchell) and Mariana (Ramirez) as they embark on the next phase of their young adult lives in Los Angeles.
Polo and Saum are the first Fosters cast members confirmed to guests star on Good Trouble, which had been designed to maintain ties with the mothership show. "We plan to have all characters from the original series make guest appearances," Freeform EVP Karey Burke told Deadline at the time of the spinoff's announcement in January.
Good Trouble's producers had hinted that we likely will see Jude and Brandon from the original series the most as they also will live in Los Angeles.
The Fosters centered on the Foster clan: lesbian couple Stef (Polo) and Lena (Saum), who have built a close-knit, loving family with Brandon (David Lambert), Stef's biological son from a previous marriage; their adopted twins, Mariana (Ramirez) and Jesus (Noah Centineo); and adopted siblings Jude (Hayden Byerly) and his half-sister, Callie (Mitchell).
Good Trouble hails from The Fosters' three writing executive producers — Joanna Johnson, Peter Paige and Bradley Bredeweg — who exec produce alongside Gregory Gugliotta, Christine Sacani, Mitchell, Ramirez, Jennifer Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Benny Medina. The series is produced by Lopez's Nuyorican Productions in association with Freeform. Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) is director and executive producer of the first episode.
Production has begun in Los Angeles for premiere in 2019.
Jordan Peele's Us continues to beef up its cast, with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Anna Diop the latest to join the thriller starring The Handmaid's Tale's Elisabeth Moss, Black Panther stars Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke, and Tim Heidecker.
Peele is writing and directing the pic, the follow-up to his Oscar-nominated Get Out. The new pic is described as a social thriller and is based on Peele's original idea. It'll open in theaters March 15, 2019 via Universal.
Us is being produced via Peele's Monkeypaw Productions, the first film under its first-look deal with Universal. Peele is producer alongside Sean McKittrick and Jason Blum, as well as Monkeypaw's Ian Cooper.
Abdul-Mateen II's credits include The Greatest Showman, First Match and Netflix's The Get Down. He's next up in Warner Bros' upcoming DC tentpole Aquaman. He is repped by Gersh, Anonymous Content and Bloom Hergott.
Diop's credits include Amazon's Bosch, Fox's 24: Legacy and the upcoming DC Comics series Titans. She is with CAA, Stagecoach and Hansen, Jacobson.
We'll be seeing more of Gwen Garrett in the upcoming fourth season of NBC's Chicago Med.
Heather Headley, who was introduced as the character in the final episode last season, will return for Season 4 in a recurring role. Headley's Garrett is the new COO of Chicago Med. A Harvard graduate who has been hired to rein in costs, she finds herself quickly clashing with Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson).
From executive producer Dick Wolf, Chicago Med follows the day-to-day chaos of the city's newest state-of-the-art trauma center and look into the lives of the courageous doctors, nurses and staff who hold it all together. Nick Gehlfuss, Torrey DeVitto, Colin Donnell, Norma Kuhling, Oliver Platt, Rachel DiPillo, Brian Tee, S. Epatha Merkerson, Yaya DaCosta and Marlyne Barrett star.
Headley won a Tony Award for best actress in a musical for her performance in the title role of Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida. She had previously worked with John and Rice in their hit Tony-winning musical The Lion King in the role of Nala. As a singer, her debut album This Is Who I Am earned her Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. She followed that with her second solo album In My Mind and her first No. 1 hit for the opening title tune. She won the 2009 Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album for Audience of One. On TV, she recently recurred as Dr. Jamison in She's Gotta Have It for Netflix. Headley is repped by CAA and Azoff Music Management.
The MTV Video Music Awards nominations were announced Monday, with Cardi B leading the way with noms in 10 categories, including Video, Song and Artist of the Year. The Carters followed with eight, including Video of the Year, Best Collaboration and Best Hip Hop for their recent hit single "APES**T." Other top contenders include Drake, Bruno Mars and Childish Gambino (aka Atlanta's Donald Glover).
Beginning today, fans can vote in eight VMA categories, including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration, among others. Voting concludes Friday, August 10, except for the Best New Artist award, which will remain open until the VMA broadcast.
The VMAs will air live from Radio City Music Hall at 9 PM on Monday, August 20.
Here's the full list of nominees:
VIDEO OF THE YEAR Ariana Grande – "No Tears Left to Cry" – Republic Records Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – "Finesse (Remix)" – Atlantic Records Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – "Havana" – Syco Music/Epic Records The Carters – "APES**T" – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment Childish Gambino – "This Is America" – mcDJ / RCA Records Drake – "God's Plan" – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records
ARTIST OF THE YEAR Ariana Grande – Republic Records Bruno Mars – Atlantic Records Camila Cabello – Syco Music/Epic Records Cardi B – Atlantic Records Drake – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records Post Malone – Republic Records
SONG OF THE YEAR Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – "Finesse (Remix)" – Atlantic Records Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – "Havana" – Syco Music/Epic Records Drake – "God's Plan" – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records Dua Lipa – "New Rules" – Warner Bros. Records Ed Sheeran – "Perfect" – Atlantic Records Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – "rockstar" – Republic Records
BEST NEW ARTIST Bazzi – iamcosmic/Atlantic Records Cardi B – Atlantic Records Chloe x Halle – Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records Hayley Kiyoko – Atlantic Records Lil Pump – Warner Bros. Records Lil Uzi Vert – Atlantic Records
BEST COLLABORATION Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line – "Meant to Be" – Warner Bros. Records Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – "Finesse (Remix)" – Atlantic Records The Carters – "APES**T" – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment Jennifer Lopez ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B – "Dinero" – Epic Records/Nuyorican Productions Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid – "1-800-273-8255" – Def Jam Recordings N.E.R.D & Rihanna – "Lemon" – i am OTHER/Columbia Records
PUSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR JULY 2018 – Chloe x Halle – Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records JUNE 2018 – Sigrid – Island Records MAY 2018 – Lil Xan – Columbia Records APRIL 2018 – Hayley Kiyoko – Atlantic Records MARCH 2018 – Jessie Reyez – Island Records FEBRUARY 2018 – Tee Grizzley – 300 Entertainment JANUARY 2018 – Bishop Briggs – Island Records DECEMBER 2017 – Grace VanderWaal – Syco Music/Columbia Records NOVEMBER 2017 – Why Don't We – Atlantic Records OCTOBER 2017 – PRETTYMUCH – Syco Music/Columbia Records SEPTEMBER 2017 – SZA – TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records AUGUST 2017 – Kacy Hill – Def Jam Recordings JULY 2017 – Khalid – RCA Records JUNE 2017 – Kyle – Atlantic Records MAY 2017 – Noah Cyrus – Republic Records
BEST POP Ariana Grande – "No Tears Left to Cry" – Republic Records Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – "Havana" – Syco Music/Epic Records Demi Lovato – "Sorry Not Sorry" – Island Records Ed Sheeran – "Perfect" – Atlantic Records P!nk – "What About Us" – RCA Records Shawn Mendes – "In My Blood" – Island Records
BEST HIP HOP Cardi B ft. 21 Savage – "Bartier Cardi" – KSR/Atlantic Records The Carters – "APES**T" – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment Drake – "God's Plan" – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records J. Cole – "ATM" – Dreamville/Roc Nation/Interscope Records Migos ft. Drake – "Walk It Talk It" – Quality Control/Capitol Records Nicki Minaj – "Chun-Li" – Young Money/Cash Money Records
BEST LATIN Daddy Yankee – "Dura" – El Cartel Records/UMLE J Balvin, Willy William – "Mi Gente" – UMLE/Republic Records Jennifer Lopez ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B – "Dinero" – Epic Records/Nuyorican Productions Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato – "Échame La Culpa" – UMLE/Republic/Island/Universal Music Latino Maluma – "Felices los 4" – Sony Music Entertainment US Latin Shakira ft. Maluma – "Chantaje" – Sony Music Entertainment US Latin
BEST DANCE Avicii ft. Rita Ora – "Lonely Together" – Geffen Records Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa – "One Kiss" – Columbia Records The Chainsmokers – "Everybody Hates Me" – Disruptor Records/Columbia Records David Guetta & Sia – "Flames" – Atlantic Records Marshmello ft. Khalid – "Silence" – RCA Records/Ultra Records Zedd & Liam Payne – "Get Low (Street Video)" – Interscope Records
BEST ROCK Fall Out Boy – "Champion" – Island Records Foo Fighters – "The Sky Is A Neighborhood" – RCA Records Imagine Dragons – "Whatever It Takes" – KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records Linkin Park – "One More Light" – Warner Bros. Records Panic! At The Disco – "Say Amen (Saturday Night)" – Fueled By Ramen/Atlantic Records Thirty Seconds to Mars – "Walk On Water" – Interscope Records
VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE Childish Gambino – "This Is America" – mcDJ / RCA Records Dej Loaf and Leon Bridges – "Liberated" – Columbia Records Drake – 'God's Plan" – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records Janelle Monáe – "PYNK" – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records Jessie Reyez – "Gatekeeper" – Island Records Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid – "1-800-273-8255" – Def Jam Recordings
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Alessia Cara – "Growing Pains" – Def Jam Recordings – Cinematography by Pau Castejón Ariana Grande – "No Tears Left to Cry" – Republic Records – Cinematography by Scott Cunningham The Carters – "APES**T" – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Cinematography by Benoit Debie Childish Gambino – "This Is America" – mcDJ / RCA Records – Cinematography by Larkin Seiple Eminem ft. Ed Sheeran – "River" – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Cinematography by Frank Mobilio & Patrick Meller Shawn Mendes – "In My Blood" – Island Records – Cinematography by Jonathan Sela
BEST DIRECTION The Carters – "APES**T" – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Directed by Ricky Saix Childish Gambino – "This Is America" – mcDJ / RCA Records – Directed by Hiro Murai Drake – "God's Plan" – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records – Directed by Karena Evans Ed Sheeran – "Perfect" – Atlantic Records – Directed by Jason Koenig Justin Timberlake ft. Chris Stapleton – "Say Something" – RCA Records – Directed by Arturo Perez Jr. Shawn Mendes – "In My Blood" – Island Records – Directed by Jay Martin
BEST ART DIRECTION The Carters – "APES**T" – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Art Direction by Jan Houlevigue Childish Gambino – "This Is America" – mcDJ / RCA Records – Art Direction by Jason Kisvarday J. Cole – "ATM" – Dreamville/Roc Nation/Interscope Records – Art Direction by Miles Mullin Janelle Monáe – "Make Me Feel" – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records – Art Direction by Pepper Nguyen SZA – "The Weekend" – TDE/RCA Records – Art Direction by SZA and Solange Taylor Swift – "Look What You Made Me Do" – Big Machine Records – Art Direction by Brett Hess
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS Ariana Grande – "No Tears Left to Cry" – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Vidal and Loris Paillier for Buf Avicii ft. Rita Ora – "Lonely Together" – Geffen Records – Visual Effects by KPP Eminem ft. Beyoncé – "Walk On Water" – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Visual Effects Supervisor Rich Lee for Drive Studios Kendrick Lamar & SZA – "All The Stars" – TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Visual Effects by Loris Paillier for BUF Paris Maroon 5 – "Wait" – 222/Interscope Records – Visual Effects by TIMBER Taylor Swift – "Look What You Made Me Do" – Big Machine Records – Visual Effects by Ingenuity Studios
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – "Finesse (Remix)" – Atlantic Records – Choreography by Phil Tayag & Bruno Mars Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – "Havana" – Syco Music/Epic Records – Choreography by Calvit Hodge and Sara Bivens The Carters – "APES**T" – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Choreography by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Jaquel Knight Childish Gambino – "This Is America" – mcDJ / RCA Records – Choreography by Sherrie Silver Dua Lipa – "IDGAF" – Warner Bros. Records – Choreography by Marion Motin Justin Timberlake – "Filthy" – RCA Records – Choreography by Marty Kudelka, AJ Harpold, Tracy Phillips, and Ivan Koumaev
BEST EDITING Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – "Finesse (Remix)" – Atlantic Records – Editing by Jacquelyn London The Carters – "APES**T" – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Taylor Ward and Sam Ostrove Childish Gambino – "This Is America" – mcDJ / RCA Records – Editing by Ernie Gilbert Janelle Monáe – "Make Me Feel" – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records – Editing by Deji Laray N.E.R.D & Rihanna – "Lemon" – i am OTHER/Columbia Records – Editing by Taylor Ward Taylor Swift – "Look What You Made Me Do" – Big Machine Records – Editing by Chancler Haynes for Cosmo
LONDON — Serena Williams climbed 153 spots in the WTA rankings after her runner-up finish at Wimbledon, putting her back in the top 30.
Williams is ranked 28th in the list published Monday. At Wimbledon, the former No. 1 was playing only her fourth tournament after returning from childbirth, but still reached the final before losing to Angelique Kerber of Germany. Kerber climbed six spots to No. 4, with Simona Halep holding onto the top ranking despite going out in the third round at the All England Club.
Kevin Anderson climbed into the men's top 5 for the first time after his run to the Wimbledon final put him in fifth place, while champion Novak Djokovic jumped 11 spots to No. 10. Rafael Nadal, who lost to Djokovic in the semifinals, remains No. 1.
When General Hospital's Vinessa Antoine called her parents to tell them that she had been cast in a history-making role in CBC's upcoming legal drama Diggstown, they thought it was for a very different reason.
"My boyfriend (fellow General Hospital star Anthony Montgomery) was on the line first. So they thought he was going to propose," says Antoine. "Then I told them I was cast in a new CBC show."
At that point, like any good immigrant parents (Antoine's were originally from Trinidad before settling in Toronto), they were happy their daughter had a steady job. But this was not just any show. Antoine will make history as the first Black Canadian actress to star in a prime-time drama on legacy network television, according to the public broadcaster.
"I'm just very excited to be chosen to do this," says the Toronto-born actress, announcing the appointment to the Star in an exclusive interview. "I think it's something that's been long overdue. But everything is changing right now and it's definitely time."
In Diggstown, scheduled to air in the key CBC fall and winter season, Antoine will play Marcie Diggs, a top corporate lawyer who decides to dedicate herself to a legal aid office in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
"We were looking for someone who could be credible as a lawyer. She's also a very positive person; she leads from a place of optimism, not from a place of cynicism," says showrunner and creator Floyd Kane. "And we needed someone who could communicate the physicality of Marcie because, among other things, she's a big surfer. Vanessa embodied all of that."
Kane said he auditioned about 50 actresses for the coveted role.
"We saw so much talent. It was a tough decision and we saw so many incredible Canadian actresses. This will be the first time that a Black Canadian actress will be No. 1 on the call sheet. I think it's a big deal. Although at the end of the day, yes, we're just making TV. But from a pop culture perspective, I feel this is important."
Canada is catching up to the United States: Kerry Washington made history in the Shonda Rhimes-created drama Scandal in 2012 as the first Black American to lead a prime-time network drama in four decades.
However, it wasn't the first to feature a Black female star. That distinction belongs to Teresa Graves in Get Christie Love! which aired for one season in 1974.
Black Canadian actresses have starred in shows such as the Vision TV limited series Soul with Keshia Chante (also produced by Kane) and Global's half-hour comedy Da Kink in My Hair, but prime-time network drama remains the gold standard.
"When I first read the script I was really attracted to the notion that she was a corporate lawyer and she believed in the system," says Antoine. "And when that crashed for her, life nudged her to do something extraordinary. And because I'm a woman of colour, so many things connected. She's complex, not stereotypical, and that's refreshing."
The series will also look at an under-represented segment of Canada, the historic Black communities of Nova Scotia, which at one point represented 37 per cent of the total Black population.
"This is huge for me. I always knew about the Black communities out east, but this is something I really didn't learn about in school and I should have," says Antoine. "My experience was growing up in a Caribbean household and I thought that the majority of Blacks came from the West Indies. But there is a huge community with a rich history in Nova Scotia that is finally going to be spotlighted and I think it's time for their stories to be told."
There is some fallout though: General Hospital fans will not be happy to learn that Antoine, who has been with the show since 2014, will no longer be a series regular when she starts shooting Diggstown in August.
Her character, former DEA agent Jordan Ashford, was supposed to get married to fiancé Curtis on the show, which was also a historic first, a Black couple getting married on the long-running soap. That may no longer be the case.
"We were in the planning stages of the wedding and ABC hasn't announced what will happen. But it's a soap opera and something traumatic always happens at a wedding. But it would have been a first for a Black couple to be married on General Hospital, but we're not sure where the storyline is going," says Antoine.
Antoine is busy prepping for a different kind of history. On the phone from Los Angeles, where she lives and shoots General Hospital, she mentioned that she's taking surfing lessons. In fact, she was drying off a wetsuit after venturing out in the water earlier that day.
As for her parents? Well they got over any disappointment of not hearing about an engagement.
"I had to explain to them what it all meant," says Antoine. "And then they were screaming on the phone. It was awesome."
London (AFP) - Serena Williams was reduced to tears by her daughter Olympia's first steps at Wimbledon, but now the seven-time champion is planning a giant leap of her own in Saturday's final against Angelique Kerber.
Just 10 months after giving birth, Williams can complete an incredible comeback as she bids to become the first mother to win the tournament for 38 years.
Williams is playing only her fourth tournament since Olympia's arrival in September and is now just one win away from her eighth Wimbledon title.
That would make her the first mother to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish since Evonne Goolagong in 1980.
Serena can also equal Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles if she beats Kerber.
Court and Kim Clijsters are the other mothers to have won major titles -- making Serena's presence in the final even more incredible given the difficulties she has endured since she last played at Wimbledon in 2016.
The 36-year-old's pregnancy ended with a complicated delivery that left her needing several operations to prevent life-threatening blood clots.
Williams was forced to stay in bed for six weeks and could barely walk as she recovered from the traumatic experience.
"It's no secret I had a super tough delivery. I lost count after, like, four surgeries because I was in so many," she said.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion insists the pain was all worthwhile now she has memories like watching Olympia learning to walk for the first time at Wimbledon.
As for her own progress on the court, Serena claims she is still working her way back, but she believes the final provides a chance to hit peak form.
"I was expecting a few more baby steps from myself. I still feel like I'm in that place," Williams said.
"I've said it all week, this is only my fourth tournament back.
"I want to take a giant step forward, keep taking giant steps, keep improving."
If anyone would be able to return from such a debilitating experience, it would be Serena.
The American's fiercely competitive streak fuelled her rise from the bullet-riddled courts of Compton in south-central Los Angeles, and she remains as driven as ever.
Making a mockery of Wimbledon's decision to seed her a lowly 25th, Williams has powered through the draw, getting stronger with each match.
She arrives in her 30th Grand Slam final -- her 10th at Wimbledon on a 20-match winning run on the lawns of south-west London.
That streak dates back to Williams' titles on her last two visits in 2016 and 2015 and she is the odds-on favourite to see off Kerber, who she beat in the All England Club title match two years ago.
"I can't say it's the one I'm most proud of. I can't say it's not. I'm so in a zone in terms of just wanting to keep playing," she said.
"Being here and having an opportunity to play is super great for me."
Asked about the historic dimensions of her potential triumph this weekend, Serena played down the implications to avoid giving her opponent even more motivation.
"To be perfectly honest, I haven't thought about that this tournament. Not even once actually," said Serena, who will be cheered on from the Royal Box by her friend the Duchess of Sussex.
"It's just a number. I want to get as many as I can. I still have a match to win, so I'm not even there yet."
For German 11th seed Kerber, winning Wimbledon for the first time -- at the expense of the woman who denied her in 2016 -- would be a sweet moment.
The 30-year-old has bounced back from a terrible 2017 and is close to the form that brought her the Australian and US Open titles two years ago.
"Wimbledon is a really special place. I think everybody knows this tournament. It would be really special to win," she said.
"With 2016, all the success, 2017, with a few up and downs, to coming back this year, I think I learned so many things about me."
London (AFP) - Just 10 months after giving birth, Serena Williams can complete her incredible comeback in Saturday's Wimbledon final against Angelique Kerber as she bids to become the first mother to win the tournament for 38 years.
Williams is playing only her fourth tournament since the arrival of baby daughter Olympia in September and is now just one win away from her eighth Wimbledon title.
That would make her the first mother to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish since Evonne Goolagong in 1980.
Serena can also equal Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles if she beats Kerber.
Court and Kim Clijsters are the other mothers to have won major titles -- making Serena's presence in the final even more incredible given the difficulties she has endured since she last played at Wimbledon in 2016.
The 36-year-old's pregnancy ended with an extremely difficult delivery that left her needing several operations to prevent life-threatening blood clots.
Williams was forced to stay in bed for six weeks and could barely walk as she recovered from the traumatic experience.
"It's no secret I had a super tough delivery. I lost count after, like, four surgeries because I was in so many," Williams said after beating Julia Goerges to reach her 10th Wimbledon final.
"Because of all the blood issues I have, I was really touch-and-go for a minute.
"In a way, it's by far the toughest year for me, but in a way it's by far the best.
"Because I have Olympia. For me, I only see joy out of it."
The 23-time Grand Slam champion insists the pain was all worthwhile now she has her first child with her at Wimbledon.
If anyone would be able to return from such a debilitating experience, it would be Serena.
The American's fiercely competitive streak fuelled her rise from the bullet-riddled courts of Compton in south-central Los Angeles, and she remains as driven as ever.
Making a mockery of Wimbledon's decision to seed her a lowly 25th, Williams has powered through the draw, getting stronger with each match.
She arrives in her 30th Grand Slam final -- her 10th at Wimbledon on a 20-match winning run on the lawns of south-west London.
That streak dates back to Williams' titles on her last two visits in 2016 and 2015 and she is the odds-on favourite to see off Kerber, who she beat in the All England Club title match two years ago.
"I can't say it's the one I'm most proud of. I can't say it's not. I'm so in a zone in terms of just wanting to keep playing," she said.
"Being here and having an opportunity to play is super great for me."
Asked about the historic dimensions of her potential triumph this weekend, Serena played down the implications to avoid giving her opponent even more motivation.
"To be perfectly honest, I haven't thought about that this tournament. Not even once actually," said Serena, who will be cheered on from the Royal Box by her friend the Duchess of Sussex.
"I think that's a good thing because, you know, I put so much pressure on myself when I was trying to get to 18 (major titles), then the rest, it was so much.
"It's just a number. I want to get as many as I can. I still have a match to win, so I'm not even there yet."
For German 11th seed Kerber, winning Wimbledon for the first time -- at the expense of the woman who denied her in 2016 -- would be a sweet moment.
The 30-year-old has bounced back from a terrible 2017 and is close to the form that brought her the Australian and US Open titles two years ago.
"Wimbledon is a really special place. I think everybody knows this tournament. It would be really special to win," she said.
"With 2016, all the success, 2017, with a few up and downs, to coming back this year, I think I learned so many things about me."
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