February 11th, 2009
Barry Manilow better get ready for the roast of a lifetime – the legendary singer is set to be inducted into the Friars Club on Feb. 14 (How romantic…?).
Naughty-mouthed comic Lisa Lampanelli will host the event, which hopefully will include Barry singing "Copacabana."
The Friars Club is over 100 years old, and boasts such members as Matt Lauer (who was memorably roasted by Tom Cruise), Jerry Lewis, Hugh Hefner, Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg. Induction into the club is always the perfect time for this group of comedians and newsmakers to get together and give the newest member a hard time before they’re allowed into the "monastery."
July 16th, 2008
A recent tabloid report claiming legendary singer/songwriter Barry Manilow is ill and dying is absolutely false, his rep told OK! exclusively on Wednesday.
In a statement to OK!, Manilow’s rep said:
"We just saw a pretty outrageous headline on one of the tabloids claiming that Barry is ill and down to 100 pounds. Granted, he’s pretty trim. But 1oo pounds? Give us a break. Even Mary Kate and Ashley [Olsen] weigh more than 100 pounds. And no… he’s not ill.
What he is…is rehearsing for his new show in Las Vegas, recording his new album, recording an original rock album. Putting together an arena show and sometimes even enjoying the beach.
By the way…we also saw a headline that said aliens had invaded Pomona. That headline, of course, is true."
June 5th, 2008
Jermaine Dupri better watch out!
The record producer has some serious competition when it comes to Janet Jackson’s heart. The R&B songstress has carried a torch for another music star and is most definitely a, um, fan-ilow of Barry Manilow.
"I used to kiss the screen when he was on TV!" she tells Entertainment Tonight of her childhood crush.
Unfortunately, a relationship doesn’t seem to be in the cards for the two. Janet has been dating Jermaine for six years, which naturally begs the question: Will they get married?
"I don’t know," Janet says. "We’re good where we are right now."
The 42-year-old has been twice-married, although only one was known for a while. Her second marriage to Rene Elizondo wasn’t made public until she announced their plans to divorce in 1999 after eight years of marriage. But if she and Jermaine do tie the knot, one thing’s for sure — it won’t stay a secret for long, if at all!
"If we were married, Jermaine would definitely let everyone know; it wouldn’t be a secret," she says.
For more on Janet, tune in to ET tonight!
April 9th, 2008 / Author: cwillett
Who knew Kylie Minogue was a fanilow?
The pint-sized Aussie singer’s upcoming tour, in support of her new album, X, is reportedly inspired by none other than Barry Manilow himself.
Kylie will do her best to bring to life the singer’s one and only Lola, the title character in his hit classic “Copacabana” — and she already has Barry’s seal of approval.
"I love her. She will make the perfect Lola,” Barry tells OK!.
Kylie’s tour kicks off in Paris in May and will, naturally, feature the 39-year-old crooning her take on “Copacabana.” The show-stopping performance will also include ostentatious trimmings and costumes, Britain’s Daily Star reports.
“It’s very theatrical," a source says. "It all ties in nicely with Kylie’s love of showgirls.”
Here’s hoping Barry makes an appearance!
November 5th, 2007
OK! has learned that the famed Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., recently returned Barry Manilow’s notorious “Copacabana” jacket (pictured) after the music legend poked fun at the museum complex.
“They asked me for it and they sent it back,” Barry explains to OK!. “I kinda made a wisecrack about it, saying, ‘I always knew the jacket would wind up in an institution,’ and they said, ‘You can’t make fun of the Smithsonian,’ and they sent the thing back. There’s no sense of humor at the Smithsonian.”
So what’s happened to the coat now? “We framed it and we have it in the Copacabana Bar at the Hilton hotel in Las Vegas,” Barry tells OK!.
