Month: November 2023

The ‘Hunger Games’ franchise prequel film, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, was the No. 1 movie in North America in its debut weekend, earning $44 million in receipts. The film, which received mixed reviews and a 61% score on Rotten Tomatoes, is the worst-reviewed installment in the ‘Hunger Games’ franchise.

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is set decades before the events of the Hunger Games franchise, and traces the origins of Coriolanus Snow, the primary antagonist of the series. Snow is played in the movie by Tom Blyth, who stars alongside Rachel Zegler — who plays a “tribute” chosen to compete in the titular annual games, in which teenagers compete against each other in a gladiatorial survival battles for the entertainment of the wealthy and the financial security of the oppressed.

Coming in at No. 2 was Trolls Band Together with $30.6 million, followed by The Marvels at No. 3 with $10.2 million, Thanksgiving at No. 4 with $10.2 million and Five Nights at Freddy’s at No. 5 with $3.5 million.

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The legendary Boy George will return to Broadway in Moulin Rouge! The Musical.  George will play Harold Zidler in the production, held at Al Hirschfeld Theatre in New York City.  Moulin Rouge! The Musical will mark George’s first Broadway role in 20 years; he last appeared in and wrote the music and lyrics for the musical Taboo.

The show announced on social media: “The ONE AND ONLY Boy George joins our Broadway company as Harold Zidler beginning February 6, 2024! Ticket link below, Chickens. You know what to do Tickets: https://moulinrougemusical.com/new-york/home/”

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is based on the 2001 film Moulin Rouge!, directed by Baz Luhrmann. The musical features a book by John Logan and first debuted on Broadway in 2019.

George will have a limited engagement from Feb. 6, 2024 through May 12; he replaces Eric Anderson, who will play Zidler from Dec. 19 through Feb. 4.  The character is currently played by Titus Burgess, with his last performance set for Dec. 17.

For tickets and other information, head to the official “Moulin Rouge” website: here.

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31-year-old singer, model and actress Suki Waterhouse announced her pregnancy, sharing that she is expecting her first child with her partner, actor Robert Pattinson. Speculation about Waterhouse’s pregnancy started earlier this month after the actress was spotted on a hike with Pattinson, 37, in Los Angeles.

Waterhouse confirmed the news Sunday during her performance at the Corona Capital Festival in Mexico, revealing her baby bump.  Waterhouse said in a fan-made video shared to social media: “I’m extra sparkly today because I thought it might distract you from something else that’s going on,” the star said before opening her coat to show her baby bump. “I’m not sure if it’s working,” she added.

Waterhouse and Pattinson were first romantically linked in July 2018 and reportedly started living together in London where Pattinson filmed The Batman. Waterhouse previously dated actors Bradley Cooper and Diego Luna, while Pattinson had relationships with actress Kristen Stewart and singer FKA twigs.

Waterhouse most recently starred in Daisy Jones & the Six, while Pattinson last appeared in The Batman.

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ABC’s celebrity dance competition “Dancing with the Stars” will feature a special “A Celebration of Taylor Swift” on Nov. 21. The show posted on X: “it’s been a long time coming…join us for A Celebration of Taylor Swift, live November 21 on @ABCNetwork and @DisneyPlus! Stream on @Hulu. #DWTSxTaylorSwift @taylorswift13”

A Celebration of Taylor Swift will see the six remaining couples perform to Swift’s music, while longtime DWTS choreographer (and lead ‘Eras’ tour choreographer) Mandy Moore appearing as a special guest judge.

Swift appeared as a musical performer on DWTS before, celebrating the release of her 2010 album “Speak Now” on the show with a performance of “Mine” and her “Fearless” track “White Horse.”

Fans will be able to vote live during the show. Live viewer votes are combined with judges’ scores to decide which couples are at risk of elimination. Dancing with the Stars Season 32 airs Tuesdays on ABC and is also available to stream on Disney+; episodes also stream the next day on Hulu.

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The 2023 Billboard Music Awards ceremony streamed on Sunday, November 19, at BBMAs.watch. The BBMAs awards trophies based on year-end performance metrics on the Billboard music charts.

Morgan Wallen taking home the most trophies of the night with 11 wins – including Top Male Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Hot 100 Song, and more.

Taylor Swift took home the coveted Top Artist award and a total of 10 trophies – bringing her career total to 39 wins, and tying Drake as the most awarded BBMA winner in history. Swift said in her acceptance speech: “The fact that you guys have given me 10 Billboard Awards… I’m talking to the fans specifically, none of this happens without you. Billboard base(s) everything off of what you are listening to and what you are passionate about, and I am so honored that this year you made “The Eras Tour” so magical. You went and saw the movie, you cared about my re-recordings…I love you so much, I feel like the luckiest person in the world to have you in my corner and caring about the music that I make, so thank you, thank you, thank you, 10 million times.”

Drake earned five awards, while Sza and Zach Bryan each earned four wins, and 21 Savage, Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, and Miley Cyrus each won three BBMAs.

Music icon Mariah Carey was honored with the Billboard Chart Achievement Award for the chart-topping holiday classic “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” which was presented to her by her children Roc and Roe.

For the full list of winners, head to the Billboard website.

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The Carter Center announced Sunday that former first lady Rosalynn Carter has died at the age of 96

The Carter Center shared in a statement that Mrs. Carter died “peacefully, with family by her side” at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 19, at her home in Plains, Georgia. Former President Jimmy Carter said in a statement: “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

The Carter family said last May that the former first lady had been diagnosed with dementia and continued to live at home in Plains, Georgia, with her husband; however just last week, they announced Mrs. Carter had entered home hospice care. President Carter has been in hospice care at home since February.

Son Chip Carter said in a statement: “Besides being a loving mother and extraordinary First Lady, my mother was a great humanitarian in her own right. Her life of service and compassion was an example for all Americans. She will be sorely missed not only by our family but by the many people who have better mental health care and access to resources for caregiving today.”

Born in Plains on August 18, 1927, the oldest of four children, Rosalynn Smith started dating Jimmy Carter when she was 18; the couple married a year later in 1946. When Jimmy Carter’s father died in 1953, they returned to Plains to run the family peanut business; years later, Mr. Carter was elected governor of Georgia in 1970; and later elected President from 1977-1981.

Rosalynn Carter played an active role in the White House as a close confidante and trusted adviser to her husband, and championed causes such as research into mental health. She used the power of the first lady’s office to promote better understanding of the mentally ill, one of her long-term causes. She served as the honorary chairperson of the President’s Commission on Mental Health. After leaving Washington in 1980, the Carters built the Carter Center in Atlanta, which promotes peace and conflict resolution. Projects via the Carter Center include breaking ground on new homes for the poor through Habitat for Humanity in the U.S. President Clinton awarded the Carters the Medal of Freedom in 1999.

Along with President Carter, Rosalynn Carter is survived by her children — Jack, Chip, Jeff and Amy; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, the Carter Center said.

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