Hillary Clinton, Jimmy Fallon join star-studded commencement podcast for sheltering graduates

(Reuters) - Hillary Clinton, Jimmy Fallon, John Legend and Eli Manning are among more than two dozen personalities who will offer words of wisdom via podcast to high school and college graduates sheltering at home due to the coronavirus outbreak, organizers said on Tuesday.

IHeart Media Inc said it will debut the podcast called “Commencement: Speeches for the Class of 2020” on May 15. Graduations that typically take place in May and June have been canceled as Americans stay home to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Many of the podcast speakers are people who normally would appear in person at commencement ceremonies to offer inspiration to graduates. The lineup includes entertainers Tim McGraw, Kesha and Pitbull; journalist Katie Couric; college basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski; and retired General Stanley McChrystal.

“High school and college seniors are always in need of inspiration, reassurance and life advice as they head into the next chapter of their lives, and that is especially true this year,” said Conal Byrne, President of the iHeartPodcast Network.

The commencement podcast “brings together some of the most experienced and inspiring people in the country today to celebrate the resilience, strength and accomplishments of this year’s graduates,” Byrne added.

IHeart Media also has announced a “virtual prom” on May 1 with Los Angeles radio station KIIS-FM for students who will miss that annual rite of passage. It will feature celebrity appearances including DJ sets by Joe Jonas, Dillon Francis and Loud Luxury.

Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Bill Berkrot

WATCH: Michael wows as Sam Smith, John Legend

MANILA - For the "Duet Yourself" challenge of the second season of "Your Face Sounds Familiar", Michael Pangilinan had to perform as both John Legend and Sam Smith.

On Saturday's episode, Pangilinan performed "Lay Me Down" from Smith's 2014 album, "In the Lonely Hour" -- a performance judge Gary Valenciano described as the crooner's best in the competition.

"To be frank with you, this is my most favorite performance of yours. Tonight I saw the Michael Pangilinan that's I've always believed was always here," he said.

For his part, Jed Madela added: "Vocally, those two performances were very flawless. Sobrang na-impress ako, you looked and felt like John Legend and Sam Smith onstage kaya job well done."

Hosted by Billy Crawford and Melai Cantiveros, "Your Face Sounds Familiar" airs Saturdays after "Maalala Mo Kaya" and Sundays after "Rated K."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

WATCH: Edgar Allan charms as John Legend

MANILA -- Edgar Allan Guzman’s impersonation of Grammy-winning artist John Legend may not be among the week’s best performances in “Your Face Sounds Familiar” but it was enough for him to land a spot in the grand finals of the celebrity competition.

Guzman sang the popular ballad “All Of Me” and both Sharon Cuneta and Gary Valenciano said they didn’t hear too much of Legend in his performance.

But despite this, both praised Guzman for showing off his singing talent.

“Vocally for me there was more of EA than John Legend,” Valenciano said, “but maganda ‘yung narinig ko. You have great potential in music na kailangan talaga marinig and makita ng tao.”

“Yung boses, hawig kayo ni John Legend,” Jed Madela acknowledged. “You’re a very well-rounded person. Whatever happens, manalo or matalo, you’re going to go far. Maybe in the acting scene, singing, even the dancing. You’ll be one of the faces na lagi naming Makita.”

Cuneta said she’s already looking forward to Guzman’s future projects.

“After this competition is over, I cannot wait to hear your CDs na ire-record mo as EA. I cannot wait to see you perform in your own concert dancing and singing. And I cannot wait to watch you in movies. Kahit ‘di ka pumasok sa Final 4, may career ka na na matagal,” she said.

Guzman made the cut for next week’s final showdown along with singers Nyoy Volante and Jay R and comedienne Melai Cantiveros.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com