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NEWSMAKERS
NEWSMAKERS
‘SNL’ adds 6, names ‘Update’ co-anchor
NEW YORK
NBC says “Saturday Night Live” has added six featured players to its roster.
Beck Bennett, John Milhiser, Kyle Mooney, Mike O’Brien, Noel Wells and Brooks Wheelan will join the troupe as “SNL” enters its 39th season Sept. 28.
Meanwhile, “SNL” executive producer Lorne Michaels says longtime “Weekend Update” anchor Seth Meyers will be joined at the “Update” desk by Cecily Strong. Last season was Strong’s first as an “SNL” regular.
Michaels says the plan has Strong initially sharing the “Update” desk with Meyers, then going solo when he begins hosting “Late Night” in February. An alternative option might find Meyers remaining as “Update” co-anchor even after starting his “Late Night” duties.
Michaels’ remarks were first reported in The New York Times.
Cyrus, Hemsworth call off engagement
NEW YORK
A wrecking ball has hit Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth’s relationship.
Representatives for both celebrities confirmed Monday that the couple have called off their engagement.
The 23-year-old Hemsworth proposed to 20-year-old Cyrus last year.
They met on the set of the 2010 movie “The Last Song.”
Cyrus, whose hits include “We Can’t Stop” and “Wrecking Ball,” will release a new album called “Bangerz” on Oct. 8.
Australian-born Hemsworth was one of the stars of “The Hunger Games.”
He will appear in the sequel, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” that will be in theaters Nov. 22.
Billboard names Pink woman of the year
NEW YORK
Billboard has named Pink its woman of the year.
Billboard announced Monday that the pop singer will receive the honor at its annual Women in Music event Dec. 10 in New York City.
Pink’s sixth album, “The Truth About Love,” has sold 1.7 million albums since it was released last year.
It launched three Top 10 hits, including the No. 1 jam “Just Give Me a Reason.”
Past recipients of Billboard’s woman of the year award include Beyonce and Katy Perry.
Pink is on her inter-national “The Truth About Love Tour.”
Vindicator wire services