NEWS
Robert De Niro has wished Billy Joel his “love and full support” on the opening night of the Tribeca Film Festival while reciting snippets of his songs.
The ‘Piano Man’ singer was due to appear at the premiere of his two-part documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes, screened on Tribeca’s opening night yesterday (June 4). However, amid his recent diagnosis of brain disorder normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), Joel was absent from the premiere.
Now, Tribeca co-founders Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal have spoken about the legendary musician in their opening remarks. Throughout their speech, they recited lines from hits like ‘Movin’ Out’, ‘Only the Good Die Young’, ‘New York State of Mind’ and ‘You May Be Right’, with De Niro then calling Joel “the poet laureate of New York”.
“Billy wanted to be with us tonight, but as you may have heard, he’s dealing with a health issue and had to postpone his performances – including this one tonight,” Rosenthal added. “We know you’ll join us in wishing him a speedy recovery.”
De Niro continued, saying of the documentary: “He’s our piano man, a wonderful, beautiful part of the heart of our city. Tonight, you get to see the man behind the music and behind the legend. You’re in for a real treat.”
Billy Joel: And So It Goes was screened at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, and was directed by Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin.
The documentary will air on HBO this summer, and is set to explore Joel’s life and music, “exploring the love, loss and personal struggles that fuel his songwriting”. The documentary will also feature access to never-before-seen performances, home movies, and personal photographs, along with one-on-one interviews.
Lacy told the audience at the premiere that Joel “will be back” soon, adding: “He said ‘getting old sucks, but it’s still preferable to getting cremated.’”
Meanwhile, Robert De Niro has said the world has to “stand up” to “bully” Donald Trump while accepting an honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival. He told The Guardian: “We have to stop what’s going on, it’s insane. We can’t have apathy and silence. You have to speak up and risk being harassed.”
During the festival, he also called for people to act “without violence, but with great passion and determination”, urging film fans and the audience to organise, protest, vote, and “show our strength”.
In other news, Billy Joel has insisted that “I’m not dying”.
NEWS
Sabrina Carpenter has secured a restraining order against a man accused of repeatedly trying to gain access to her home.
William Applegate, 31, has been instructed to stay away from the "Espresso" singer for the next five years after allegedly attempting to enter her property on numerous occasions, reportedly more than a dozen times, according to AP. Carpenter's lawyer, Blair Berk, told the court that the pop star was "in fear for her own personal safety and the safety of members of her family" because of Applegate's repeated efforts to reach her Los Angeles residence.
Court documents filed by Carpenter state that Applegate was taken into custody after allegedly assaulting a security guard while approaching the front entrance of her home. When he returned a few days later, the singer successfully obtained a temporary restraining order on May 29.
Applegate acknowledged the incidents involving the property but insisted that Carpenter had wanted him to come to her house. He claimed that he and the singer were involved in a secret military operation that required them to "be together as soon as possible".
He further argued that their meeting was necessary for "national and global security". However, he said he would be "more than willing" to stay away from Carpenter if she personally asked him to do so, alleging that law enforcement and those representing her were preventing direct communication.
In legal papers challenging the restraining order, Applegate alleged that Carpenter attempted to send him a message during her headlining appearance at Coachella by making eye contact with him from the audience. Carpenter, however, described Applegate as "a complete stranger" in her filing and said she has never had any contact with him and has no desire to do so.
Addressing Applegate during the hearing, Judge David L. Wasserman said: "I understand that it's your belief that in order to save the world, you and the petitioner must be together. I expect you to obey the order, not what you think is right, not what you think the military commands you."
In other news, Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter recently unveiled the polished music video for their collaboration "Bring Your Love". The track is set to feature on Madonna's forthcoming album, "Confessions II", which is scheduled for release on July 3.
