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Tag: Smokey Robinson

  • Natalie Cole: Family Releases Statement On Cause of Singer’s Death

    Natalie Cole died on January 31 at the age of 65. Now a statement released by her family explains what killed the internationally renown singer.

    The official cause of death for Natalie Cole was idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

    “This is a very serious and progressive disorder in which the small blood vessels of the lungs are markedly narrowed or obstructed,” the family’s statement read, adding that she was diagnosed with IPAH five years ago following her successful kidney transplant.

    “She responded well to PAH-specific agents over many years, during which she performed many concerts worldwide,” the statement continued. “[She] eventually succumbed to intractable right heart failure, an outcome that unfortunately commonly occurs in this progressive disorder, despite modern therapies.”

    Natalie Cole’s sisters, Timolin and Casey, spoke with Entertainment Tonight following their sister’s death, and expressed how grateful they were to have spent Christmas Eve together.

    “We were very blessed and thankful to spend that very special day with her that she loved. It was her favorite time of year,” they said.

    Legendary singer Smokey Robinson was concerned about Natalie Cole’s health in recent months.

    “About nine months or so ago, we did a concert together in Arizona, and when I saw her that day she didn’t look good to me,” he told ET. “She lost a lot of weight and stuff, and I could tell because I had known her for so long and [we were] so close.”

    Natalie Cole was the daughter of the late Nat King Cole. Her most famous recording was one done as a duet with her dad, although he had passed away many years prior.

    Natalie Cole suffered from hepatitis C and had battled drug addiction in the past.

    The music world will long mourn the passing of this amazing singer.

  • Julianne Hough on Derek Hough: Not Afraid to Judge ‘DWTS’ Moves

    Julianne Hough is back on Dancing With the Stars, but in a much different capacity these days. The two-time mirrorball trophy winner now sits at the judges’ desk and critiques the dance moves of season 19’s DWTS contestants. One of those contestants–YouTube sensation Bethany Mota–is partnered with dance pro Derek Hough–who just happens to be Julianne’s brother. How does this situation make her feel?

    “Everyone’s fair game at this point,” Julianne told Hollywood Life. “It’s not me judging my brother — it’s me judging the collaboration and connection that he has with his partner and the growth that I see her do. If I see something where I’m like, ‘Yo Derek, you didn’t up your game with your partner, she could have done better this week,’ then I will call him out for sure. I’m not afraid of that. But he knows and hopefully everybody else knows too, it’s never to diss anybody or call anybody out, it’s because I really do want to see the people improve.”

    Julianne Hough sits alongside longtime Dancing With the Stars judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Toniolo, and Len Goodman, and has her work cut out for her this season. Season 19 premiered on Monday evening, September 15th, to some amazing performances.

    “That’s where it all began for me so to be there with the judges on the other side of the panel is what is most exciting about returning,” she says. “Just being able to watch the celebrities grow and become better.”

    Tuesday night will see the first season 19 elimination from Dancing With the Stars, along with a special performance of Smokey Robinson with Aloe Blacc.

    Did you see the premiere of Dancing With the Stars on Monday evening? How do you think Julianne Hough did in the judges’ seat? And which of the dancing acts do you think will be eliminated on Tuesday’s show?