The convicted rapist had plenty to say before his sentence was handed down.
Coronavirus claims Coachella, Stagecoach and more star-studded events and we discuss Meghan Markle’s final royal fashion moments.
Here’s a closer look at today’s stories:
Whine-stein: Harvey bemoans his personal ‘hell on earth’
Before he was handed 23 years in prison, Harvey Weinstein begged for a light sentence Wednesday, telling the court he was going through “hell on earth” and was “really trying to be a better person.”
The 67-year-old played down his power and influence in Hollywood — while also bragging about the millions he has raised for New York following the likes of Hurricane Sandy and Sept. 11.
Admitting he was the spark for the whole #MeToo movement, Weinstein said he was just one of many men “totally confused” by the complaints against them — saying he even wanted to open a specialist clinic for men who had been accused.
“I really feel remorse for this situation. I feel it deeply in my heart,” he said in Manhattan Supreme Court.
“I’m really trying to be a better person.”
But ultimately, the convicted rapist relied on self-pity as he pleaded for a light term before he was sentenced to 23 years.
“I haven’t seen my three older children since the New York Times [and] the New Yorker articles came out,” he said of the original reports of his widespread abuse.
“That for me is hell on earth,” he whined, saying again later, “I may never see my children again.”
He admitted, “If I could do a lot of things over, I would care less about the movies and care more about my children and family.”
As well as remorse for his accusers, Weinstein apologized to his two wives — Eve Chilton Weinstein, and Georgina Chapman, who was with him when the scandal broke — who he said “knew nothing about this.”
SXSW refusing to issue refunds after being canceled due to coronavirus
This year’s music festival season is headed south, fast.
After Austin canceled its long-running annual South by Southwest (SXSW) festival due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus, the company behind the festival is refusing to refund thousands of ticket buyers for their purchases.
SXSW’s original terms and conditions of participation state, “Any and all payments made to SXSW are not refundable for any reason, including, without limitation, failure to use Credentials due to illness, acts of God, travel-related problems, acts of terrorism, loss of employment and/or duplicate purchases.”
According to a spokesperson, however, they will be honoring tickets for future festivals.
“We are allowing registrants to defer for up to three years — through the 2023 event. We are also working on other ways to add value to their deferred registration so not only will they be able to take advantage of a future SXSW but there will be extra benefits included, as well.”
Due to the cancellation, the festival also laid off a third of its employees, a decision referred to as “the only way to stop the bleeding” by a source to the Austin Chronicle.
Cardi B is ‘scared’ of coronavirus in expletive-filled rant
Cardi B is “deadass f—king scared” of contracting the coronavirus and is taking measures to prepare herself for the worst.
“I’m stocking up on food,” the “I Like It” rapper captioned a video of her ranting about the infectious disease on Tuesday.
In the expletive-filled message to the US government, Cardi said, “I don’t know what this f—k this coronavirus is about. I don’t know understand how this s—t was from Wuhan, China, now all of a sudden this s—t is on motherf—king tour.”
According to CNN, the coronavirus has infected more than 115,000 people worldwide, including 1,000 in the US. At least 4,200 people have died globally.
“I ain’t gonna front — a bitch is scared,” Cardi added in her video. “S—t got me panicking, and a lot of you motherf—kers think it’s a joke.”
The rapper pointed out to her fans that, though they may not get infected by the virus, they could still deal with the ramifications the pandemic has placed on the economy.
“If you’re wondering why your weave or your motherf—king Fashion Nova motherf—king packages haven’t arrived? Guess what, bitch? Coronavirus!” she said. “I’m telling you s—t is real. S—t is getting real. Ohh! Bitch, I’m scared.”
Meghan Markle sends a message with final royal fashion choices
Over the past week, Meghan Markle made her final official appearances as a senior member of the royal family, clad in a series of colorful outfits that couldn’t be missed.
During her return to the UK with Prince Harry, the 38-year-old Duchess of Sussex kicked off her fashionable farewell tour in a bright blue Victoria Beckham dress at the Endeavour Fund Awards, and later matched in head-to-toe red with her husband, 35, at the Mountbatten Music Festival.
And for her last official appearance alongside the rest of the royal family at the Commonwealth Day service, Markle chose a bold green Emilia Wickstead dress — complete with a cape and matching hat — that asserted her status as a style superhero.
These vibrant and vivid looks were a sharp departure from the typical neutral-toned outfits the Duchess has relied on throughout her time as a member of the monarchy and seemed to hint at her (literally) bright future.
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