Dwayne Johnson would run for US President if people want him

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - “Fast & Furious” star Dwayne Johnson said on Monday that he would run for US President if he felt he had enough support from Americans.

Johnson, 48, one of the highest-paid and most popular actors in the United States, has been flirting with a possible White House bid for several years.

“I do have that goal to unite our country and I also feel that if this is what the people want, then I will do that,” Johnson said when asked about his presidential ambitions in an interview broadcast on the “Today” show on Monday.

The former professional wrestler did not say which party he would represent or when he might launch any bid for the White House.

His remarks follow an online public opinion poll released last week by consumer trends company Piplsay that found some 46% of Americans would consider voting for Johnson.

Johnson, known as “The Rock,” said he was humbled by the poll.

“I don’t think our Founding Fathers EVER envisioned a six-four, bald, tattooed, half-Black, half-Samoan, tequila drinking, pick-up truck driving, fanny-pack wearing guy joining their club - but if it ever happens it’d be my honor to serve you, the people,” he said in an Instagram posting.

Johnson, whose work includes the rebooted “Jumanji” movie franchise and the TV show “Young Rock,” joins a long list of American celebrities who have run for political office, including former “Apprentice” star Donald Trump.

“Magic Mike” actor Matthew McConaughey and former Olympic champion Caitlyn Jenner are reported to be weighing potential runs for governor in Texas and California respectively.

Reporting by Jill Serjeant, Editing by Nick Zieminski

-reuters-

‘The Rock’ says, ‘I do’: Dwayne Johnson gets married

Hollywood actor and former WWE superstar Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson has tied the knot with his long-time partner, singer Lauren Hashian.

Johnson shared the milestone on Instagram Monday, with photos of him and Hashian just moments after exchanging “I do’s” in Hawaii.

“We do,” Johnson wrote in the caption.

Johnson, 47, and Hashian, 34, have reportedly been a couple since 2007. They have 2 daughters together: Jasmin, 3, and Tiana, 1.

The “Fast and the Furious” star has an 18-year-old daughter, Simone, from a previous marriage.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Caitlyn Jenner joins celebs mulling run for US political office

LOS ANGELES - Caitlyn Jenner has joined the list of celebrities who are considering running for political office in the United States following the election of former reality television star Donald Trump as president.

Jenner, who as former Olympic champion Bruce Jenner in 2015 became the highest-profile American to transition to a woman, said she would decide in the next six months or so whether to run for the US Senate in California.

Jenner told John Catsimatidis on his "CATS Roundtable" New York radio show on Sunday, that she is working with activist groups to improve the Republican Party's stance on lesbian, gay and transgender issues.

"Over the next six months or so I gotta find out where I can do a better job. Can I do a better job from the outside working the perimeter of the political scene, being open to talking to anybody, or are you better off from the inside?

"We are in the process of determining that. But yeah, I would look for a senatorial run," she said. Democratic US Senator Dianne Feinstein is up for re-election in California in 2018.

Jenner, 67, is a Republican but in February she criticized the Trump administration for reversing a federal directive that allowed transgender students to use public school bathrooms of their choice.

"From one Republican to another, this is a disaster," she said in a video message to Trump at the time.

The success of Trump, a businessman who found fame through TV reality show "The Apprentice," has encouraged others with no political experience to consider running for office.

Last week country-rock singer Kid Rock, a supporter of Trump, hinted he intends to run for the Senate in 2018 but he has yet to make any official announcement. He has not mentioned where he would run.

Actor and former wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has said he might run for the White House someday but has not mentioned a political affiliation.

Previous celebrities who made the transition to politics include action movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served two terms as California governor, and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura, who was elected Minnesota governor.

Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Who made it to Time's 100 Most Influential People 2016 list

Time magazine has released its 13th annual list of 100 most influential people in the world.

Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio, rapper Nicki Minaj, Indian actress Priyanka Chopra and Lin-Manuel Miranda of Broadway's "Hamilton" all made it to the list, gracing their individual covers.

Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan were also among this year's most influential people, long with Adele, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Caitlyn Jenner, and Idris Elba.

Time editor Nancy Gibbs said these people made the list for showing the world what they're capable of and for breaking boundaries.

-ANC's News Now, April 22, 2016

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'Star Wars' leads winners at MTV Movie Awards

LOS ANGELES -- A passionate kiss, Leonardo DiCaprio's "Revenant" bear encounter and a foul-mouthed hosting duo dominated Saturday's profanity-laden MTV Movie Awards, where "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" came away the top winner.

"The Force Awakens," the third-highest grossing film of all time, led with 11 nominations and beat out blockbusters such as "Jurassic World" and "Avengers: Age of Ultron" for movie of the year. Lead star Daisy Ridley won best breakthrough performance.

"It's especially amazing to be part of a film that represents all genders - two genders - and races and ages in such a positive and aspirational way," Ridley said.

It's all about the unpredictable and irreverent moments at Viacom Inc's fan-voted Movie Awards, which taped Saturday in Los Angeles and will air Sunday on the MTV network.

Hosts Kevin Hart and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson set the tone for the evening as they opened with curse words and insults, at one point dressing up as Batman and Superman to throw barbs at the A-list superhero actors in attendance.

They also rapped about Oscar-winner DiCaprio having sexual intercourse with a bear in "The Revenant."

"Pitch Perfect 2" stars Rebel Wilson and Adam Devine won best kiss and recreated their messy film smooch, passionately grabbing each other on stage.

Charlize Theron won best female performance for playing Imperator Furiosa in "Mad Max: Fury Road." She said the film was "in part a story of the power of women and the power to create our own destinies," dedicating her win to "all the Furoisas."

Halle Berry introduced actor-singer Will Smith as a "champion for diversity" when awarding him the MTV Generation Award. Smith joked the accolade was "the old ass dude award."

"I want to display love, play roles that have dignity and I just want to help in this world," the "Concussion" star said.

Other winners included hip hop biopic "Straight Outta Compton" for best true story, Ryan Reynolds for best comedic performance and best fight for "Deadpool," Amy Poehler for best virtual performance in "Inside Out" and Chris Pratt for best action performance for "Jurassic World."

Actress Melissa McCarthy crowd-surfed to the stage to accept the Comedic Genius award, saying "I'm the first woman to receive this award but I am certainly not the first one to deserve it."

"My mother taught me not to fear being the butt of the joke, not to worry about being likeable or perfect, and to lovingly go for the kill," she said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com