Entertainment
Gloria Gaynor says her hit “I Will Survive” became a personal anthem of strength during one of her darkest times
Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” has been a motivational anthem for nearly five decades – but it didn’t just serve as inspiration for millions of fans. Gaynor told “CBS Mornings” the song gave her hope during one of the most difficult periods of her life.
After a fall on stage in 1978 at New York’s Beacon Theatre, Gaynor suffered a serious spinal injury and spent months in recovery. Many thought her career was over, but during that painful healing, she recorded what would become a smash hit, “I Will Survive.”
“I was living that song”
The song won a Grammy for best disco recording in 1980 – the only time that category existed. In 2016, it was inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry for its cultural significance. Now, Gaynor is a 2025 Kennedy Center honoree for her lifetime artistic achievements.
The track was supposed to be a B-side, but Gaynor immediately knew it was a winner. When she was recording it, standing in a back brace, she felt a deep connection to the music
“[I was] hoping I’d survive, you know, this trauma that I was going through, hoping that I survived the fact that my mother had just passed away a few years prior. Yeah, I was living that song and I was certain that I wouldn’t be the only one,” she said.
The song became her anthem – and the world’s – with over 200 covers in more than 20 different languages. And, of course, it sparked several trends on social media.
Just a girl from Jersey
Before becoming the “queen of disco,” Gaynor was just a girl from Newark, New Jersey. Her talent went unnoticed until a neighbor heard her sing and she was called up to the stage at a club one night to perform.
She eventually worked the nightclub circuit. Her big break came from a meeting with legendary record executive Clive Davis, who helped propel her to the center of disco. Her 1975 debut album, “Never Can Say Goodbye,” was one of the first disco albums to top the charts, cracking the top 25 on the Billboard 200.
Early in her career, Gaynor said she was singing R&B but decided she really wanted to give people music to dance to.
“I remember that discotheques were very, very new. There were just a couple and what they were was cabaret clubs where they’d just taken away the chairs,” she recalled.
Her profile continued to grow as she toured the world. As disco faded in the 1980s, Gaynor kept performing around the world. Years later, she found a new purpose through faith and gospel music. Her 2019 album, “Testimony,” earned her a Grammy, proving her voice still inspires.
Lessons for new artists
Now, nearly 50 years after her rise to fame, Gaynor is honored with one of the nation’s highest distinctions: the Kennedy Center Honor.
“I got a phone call from my manager and I was ecstatic,” said Gaynor as she learned about the award. “It was incredible to even think about being accepted as one who deserved that.”
Gaynor is now parting her wisdom to new artists. Her top takeaway: Don’t set out to seek rewards.
” I would say to them, be about doing the best you can with what God gave you,” she said. “All of that stuff is extra. I didn’t strive to get a Grammy. I strive to do the best song I could do at that time. I strive to touch people’s hearts. I strive to uplift, encourage, and power people And so, be about that.”
Cardi B had a relatable parenting moment after nearly wilting under the sun at her son Wave’s baseball game.
Over the weekend, the Grammy-rapper showed up to support her 4-year-old and even threw the first pitch, but later admitted the outdoor heat had her feeling like she was on the verge of collapse.
The mom-of-four opened up about the experience on Instagram Stories after videos of her walking onto the field with Wave and tossing the ceremonial pitch went viral online. While Cardi looked confident on the diamond as fans cheered her on, she quickly learned that surviving the weather was the real challenge.
“This is why I say I’m such a girls’ mom,” she joked. “A dance recital inside, I love it. I love a dance recital inside.”
“Being outside in this heat for a baseball game, urgh, I can’t handle it,” she continued, before adding, “I’m ready to pass out, I can’t handle it.”
The Bodack Yellow hitmaker shares daughter Kulture, son Wave and daughter Blossom with estranged husband Offset, and welcomed a son with NFL star Stefon Diggs in November 2025.
The outing also comes as Cardi and Diggs continue fuelling reconciliation rumours after recently being spotted together at his Mother’s Day wellness event.
That followed another viral sighting that appeared to show the pair in a heated exchange, which Cardi later joked about on X.
“Sometimes I forget I’m a celebrity… damn y’all ain’t never cuss your babydad out when you hungry?” she quipped.
- Shops and malls exempt from closure timings.
- Punjab, Sindh already eased business restrictions earlier.
- Energy conservation curbs imposed earlier now relaxed.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday approved the exemption of business closure timings across the country until May 31, effectively allowing commercial centres to operate without the previously imposed restrictions.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, all shops, departmental stores, bazaars, markets and shopping malls will remain open on all days of the week without restriction on closing hours.
The exemption also applies to bakeries, tandoors, restaurants and grocery stores, which have been allowed to continue operations beyond the earlier fixed timings.
The decision comes after provincial governments had already relaxed business-hour restrictions. The Punjab government had earlier extended relaxed operating hours for markets and commercial centres until June 1, while suspending the mandatory 8pm closure rule.
Similarly, the Sindh government had on May 16 announced relief for traders and citizens, exempting markets, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels and marriage halls from fixed closing times in a bid to support economic activity.
Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan governments also followed suit, announcing the end of smart lockdown measures across the province and lifting restrictions on market timings and business hours.
Business hours were curtailed across the country last month as part of energy conservation measures introduced amid a sharp increase in domestic fuel prices, triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.
The measures, which formed part of the federal government’s broader austerity and fuel-conservation plan, were aimed at reducing energy consumption following the surge in fuel prices.
The 2026 ACM Awards are officially in the books, celebrating the artists who delivered country music’s biggest moments this year.
The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards aired live from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, May 17, with Shania Twain hosting the star-studded event.
While Megan Moroney entered the night with the most nominations at nine, it was Ella Langley who emerged as the evening’s undeniable breakout star, sweeping all seven of her nominations, while Cody Johnson took home the night’s top honours, Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the year.
The ceremony featured performances from some of the genre’s biggest names, including Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Kacey Musgraves, Blake Shelton and Riley Green.
Here’s the complete winners list from the 2026 ACM Awards:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Jelly Roll
- Cody Johnson — WINNER
- Megan Moroney
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley — WINNER
- Megan Moroney
- Lainey Wilson
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Riley Green
- Cody Johnson — WINNER
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
GROUP OF THE YEAR
- 49 Winchester
- Flatland Cavalry
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Strays — WINNER
DUO OF THE YEAR
- Brooks & Dunn — WINNER
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Muscadine Bloodline
- Thelma & James
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Avery Anna — WINNER
- Mackenzie Carpenter
- Dasha
- Caroline Jones
- Emily Ann Roberts
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Gavin Adcock
- Vincent Mason
- Shaboozey
- Hudson Westbrook
- Tucker Wetmore — WINNER
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- Ain’t In It for My Health — Zach Top
- Producer: Carson Chamberlain
- Label: Leo33
- Cherry Valley — Carter Faith
- Producer: Tofer Brown
- Label: Gatsby Records / MCA
- Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) — Riley Green
- Producers: Dann Huff, Michael Knox
- Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
- I’m the Problem — Morgan Wallen
- Producers: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett
- Label: Big Loud Records
- Parker McCollum — WINNER
- Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse
- Label: MCA
SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
- “A Song to Sing” — Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
- Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure
- Publishers: I Wrote These Songs; Pink Dog Publishing; Songs for the Munch Music; Songs of Influence; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp
- “Am I Okay?” — Megan Moroney
- Songwriters: Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon
- Publishers: Big Ass Pile of Dimes Music; Big Music Machine
- “Choosin’ Texas” — WINNER
- Artist: Ella Langley
- Songwriters: Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor
- Publishers: Bada Bing & Bada Langley Publishing; Little Louder Songs; Sony Music Publishing
- “I Never Lie” — Zach Top
- Songwriters: Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols
- Publishers: Music and Magazine Publishing; Rio Bravo Music Inc; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Too Broke to Quit Music; Zach Top Music
- “Somewhere Over Laredo” — Lainey Wilson
- Songwriters: Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg
- Publishers: Concord Sounds; Dtown Boogie Music; Emi Feist Catalog Inc; Songs Of Riser House; Songs Of Wild Cat Well Music; Sony/ATV Countryside; Story Farmer; Tacklebox Music Publishing
SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- “6 Months Later” — Megan Moroney
- Producer: Kristian Bush
- Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
- “Choosin’ Texas” — WINNER
- Artist: Ella Langley
- Producers: Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Ben West
- Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records
- “I Never Lie” — Zach Top
- Producer: Carson Chamberlain
- Label: Leo33
- “Somewhere Over Laredo” — Lainey Wilson
- Producer: Jay Joyce
- Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville / Broken Bow Records
- “The Fall” — Cody Johnson
- Producer: Trent Willmon
- Label: CoJo Music / Warner Records Nashville
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- “A Song to Sing” — Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
- Producer: Dave Cobb
- Label: Republic Records
- “Amen” — Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
- Producers: Danny Majic, Nevin Sastry, Sean Cook
- Label: Empire
- “Don’t Mind If I Do” — WINNER
- Artists: Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
- Producers: Dann Huff, Michael Knox
- Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
- “Trailblazer” — Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
- Producers: Tony Brown, Reba McEntire
- Label: MCA
- “You Had to Be There” — Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
- Producer: Kristian Bush
- Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
- “6 Months Later” — Megan Moroney
- Producers: Christen Pinkston, Wesley Stebbins-Perry
- Directors: CeCe Dawson, Megan Moroney
- “A Song to Sing” — Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
- Producer: James Stratakis
- Directors: Alexa King Stone, Stephen Kinigopoulos
- “Cuckoo” — WINNER
- Artist: Stephen Wilson Jr.
- Producer: Tim Cofield
- Director: Tim Cofield
- “Somewhere Over Laredo” — Lainey Wilson
- Producer: Katie Babbage
- Director: TK McKamy
- “The Fall” — Cody Johnson
- Producers: Christen Pinkston, Wesley Stebbins-Perry
- Director: Dustin Haney
UK growth forecast upgraded by IMF but ‘risks’ remain
Cardi B nearly passes out during parenting moment: ‘I can’t handle it’
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