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BLACKPINK’s Jennie on why she started her own label: “I wanted more freedom”

South Korean singer Jennie of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK has revealed why she started her own label. In December 2023, BLACKPINK’s Jennie announced that she had launched her own label, called Odd Atelier, to start her “solo journey in 2024”. Days later, YG Entertainment confirmed that Jennie, along with her fellow BLACKPINK bandmates, had not renewed their individual contracts with the agency. Earlier this week, Jennie appeared at the KBS Hall in Seoul, South Korea to record an episode for the fourth season of The Seasons, featuring new host Lee Hyo-ri. Advertisement During her appearance, Jennie told Lee Hyo-ri that while BLACKPINK’s group activities will still be “managed by the same agency I’ve worked with for the past seven years”, she decided to launch her own company as she wanted “more freedom and ease for my solo activities”, per SBS Star. “My long-time crew joined me on this journey. With them, I want to do all my future work without any limitations,” Jennie added. “The name shows my desire to do well in my future works, even if the path I take is odd or different.” Jennie later spoke about how she has “I learned a lot at YG Entertainment”, she… Read More →

03JANNews

Selena Gomez says she’s considering quitting music to focus on acting

Selena Gomez has opened up about quitting music in a new interview, saying she would prefer to eventually focus on her acting career instead. In an upcoming episode of the SmartLess podcast, Gomez, who has recently starred in the hit comedy series Only Murders In The Building, said she would prefer to “settle” on one area moving forward. Gomez explained: “I started having a lot of fun with music and then touring was really fun. But I was doing my TV show at the same time [Wizards Of Waverly Place] and I just found it really fun so I just kept going but the older I get, the more…I would like to find something to just settle on” (via Deadline). Advertisement She told hosts Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes: “I do feel like I have one more album in me but I would probably choose acting.” [embedded content] In the episode, which airs on January 8 but is available now to Wonder+ subscribers, Gomez went on to note that she never intended to be a singer, but after singing the theme song to Wizards Of Waverly Place, Disney asked her if she would record an album. “I wanted to be an… Read More →

03JANNews

Sharon Osbourne is open to reviving Ozzfest as a touring festival

Sharon Osbourne has opened up about the possibilities of bringing the Ozzfest festival back. READ MORE: Ozzy Osbourne: a rock’n’roll showman like no other Speaking on the latest episode of The Osbournes Podcast, Sharon – wife of former Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne – was asked if Ozzfest, which last took place in 2018, could ever make a return. [embedded content] Advertisement Ozzy brought up the topic of bringing the festival back, asking his wife: “Not just one [at] the fucking Forum, but a whole Ozzfest [tour]?” Sharon replied: “Yeah, sure. Of course.” Their daughter Kelly then commented that artist managers need to be “realistic” when it comes to booking fees. In response Sharon said: “Why is it when it comes to us that everybody thinks that we are trillionaires, and so that every manager who wants their band on our festival wants one of the fucking trillions they think we’ve got to put on the festival?” The last Ozzfest took place in 2018 and was headlined by none other than Ozzy himself, alongside Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Jonathan Davis of Korn and Body Count. Ozzy most recently shut down hoaxes claiming his death. Towards the end of the December 26 episode… Read More →

02JANNews

Eurovision tease that “The Caribbean is coming” to 2024 contest

The Eurovision Song Contest has teased that “The Caribbean is coming” to this year’s competition. Taking to their official Instagram page with 1.3 million followers to announce that the Caribbean – a subregion of North America with over 700 islands – will be taking part in the famous contest for the first time. The post showed a video clip of palm trees and clear beaches. The caption of the post read: “New Year! New News! We’re thrilled to confirm that the Caribbean is coming to the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Stay tuned, we can’t wait to tell you more.” Advertisement The 68th Eurovision will take place in Malmö, Sweden, with the Grand Final of the competition due to be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Potentially one of 13 independent countries – which include Jamaica, Barbados, The Bahamas and more – could be taking the stage as part of the 2024 musical extravaganza. This would not be the first time that a non-European country takes part in the singing contest. Israel, Cyprus, Armenia, Morocco and Australia have all been a part of Eurovision since 1973, 1981 and 2006 respectively, with Morocco in 1980 and Australia in 2015. Recently, Shaul Greenglick,… Read More →

01JANNews

Pulp bring in the New Year with Hogmanay show in Edinburgh

Pulp brought in the New Year in Edinburgh last night with a live show in front of thousands of revellers at the Princes Street Hogmanay concert. The Britpop legends played their first show in the Scottish capital in 20 years in a show that was organised by the City of Edinburgh Council, alongside UniqueAssembly. The band played two sets, one each side of midnight, separated by the traditional fireworks show at the stroke of 12. It was the 30th anniversary of the Princes Garden Street Party. Advertisement An unashamed joy to see Common People performed for the first ever time with a bagpipe accompaniment. And hearing Lipgloss, for the first time live this millennium, and Monday Morning. And all power to Jarvis for powering through at what must be a horrendous time for him ❤️ #Pulp https://t.co/S1bbK5fQ4D pic.twitter.com/uMjTHactqs — Ross Maclean (@ross_maclean) January 1, 2024 Well that was different seeing in New Year’s day watching peerless Pulp in Edinburgh, alongside spectacular firework displays. pic.twitter.com/f35baXxiSX — Mike Hunter (@MikeeDeedee) January 1, 2024 Writing about the show on their Instagram page, Pulp said: “Is this the light of a new age dawning? Let’s hope so.” “Thank you, people of Edinburgh, for celebrating… Read More →

01JANNews

What films are on TV this New Year’s Day?

Crazy Rich Asians and Harry Potter are among the film highlights on New Year’s Day. After wishing 2023 a boozy farewell, the TV schedules are loaded with films to help ease you into the new year. Highlights include Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, which is set to receive a sequel starring Paul Mescal later this year. For something lighter, there’s Crazy Rich Asians on BBC Three and Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone on ITV2. Advertisement Elsewhere, Liam Neeson action flick The Commuter is on Sky Showcase, while the 2020 remake of The Witches starring Anne Hathaway is on BBC One. Anne Hathaway in ‘The Witches’ (Credit: Warner Bros) See all the films airing on New Year’s Day below. Babe — ITV1, 10.30am Home Alone 2: Lost In New York — ITV2, 11.30am The Wizard Of Oz — Channel 5, 12pm Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid — BBC Two, 12.45pm PAW Patrol: The Movie — Channel 4, 12.55pm Matilda — ITV2, 1.55pm Singin’ In The Rain — Channel 5, 2.10pm Moana — BBC One, 2.20pm The Magnificent Seven (1960) — BBC Two, 2.30pm Mrs Doubtfire — Channel 4, 2.55pm Jumanji — ITV2, 3.55pm My Fair Lady — Channel 5, 4.15pm We… Read More →

30DECNews

Zoe Ball reveals she has been diagnosed with ADHD

Zoe Ball has revealed that she has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The BBC Radio 2 presenter opened up about the condition, which she says leaves her finding it difficult to complete certain tasks, in a new interview. She told The Mirror: “I make myself laugh sometimes, because if I’m in a small space and I’ve got loads of tasks to do, I can cover so many miles. Advertisement “My family, they laugh because they’ll find things of mine in certain places and they’re like, ‘If you follow this, you’ll see what Mum was trying to achieve’.” Ball added: “I have 18 pairs of glasses and I will still lose all of them… my brain is just all over the goddamn shop.” Taskmaster’s ‘New Year Treat’ CREDIT: Channel 4 Ball said she particularly felt the effects of ADHD, which can make those with the condition seem restless, have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse, while filming the forthcoming ‘New Year Treat’ episode of Taskmaster, which airs on January 2. She said: “So a particular task involved a bit of timing, which is maths, which is, again, not a strength, I physically started to melt down. That… Read More →

30DECNews

Paula Abdul files lawsuit against ‘American Idol’ producer Nigel Lythgoe over sexual assault claims

Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit against American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance producer Nigel Lythgoe alleging that he sexually assaulted her. Abdul has made a series of claims during her time hosting both shows in the suit, which was filed in Los Angeles yesterday (December 29), including sexual assault/battery, sexual harassment, gender violence and negligence. In a statement to NME, Lythgoe called Abdul’s claims “false” and “deeply offensive”. Advertisement “To say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement,” Lythgoe’s statement reads. “For more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear – and entirely platonic – friends and colleagues. Yesterday, however, out of the blue, I learned of these claims in the press and I want to be clear: not only are they false, they are deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for.” It continues: “While Paula’s history of erratic behavior is well known, I can’t pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit that she must know is untrue. But I can promise that I will fight this appalling smear with everything I have.” NME has… Read More →

29DECNews

Gypsy Rose Blanchard released early from prison

Gypsy Rose Blanchard, whose trial for the conspiracy to murder her abusive mother was the subject of documentaries on Hulu and HBO, has been released early from prison. She had pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Dee Dee Blanchard in Missouri in 2015. She plotted with her boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, to kill her mother following years of abuse. Godejohn had stabbed Dee Dee Blanchard to death with a knife her daughter had given him. They were later arrested in Godejohn’s home state of Wisconsin. He is serving a life sentence without parole. Advertisement Dee Dee Blanchard had Munchausen’s by proxy and forced Gypsy Rose Blanchard to pretend for years that she was suffering from leukaemia, muscular dystrophy and other serious illnesses, even forcing her to use a wheelchair and feeding tube. Gypsy Rose Blanchard was released on Thursday (December 28) after serving seven years of her 10-year sentence. While in prison, she gave a number of interviews detailing her mother’s abusive behaviour and wrote a memoir, Released: Conversations on the Eve of Freedom, which is due to be published in January. In a recent interview with People she said: “Nobody will ever hear me say I’m glad she’s dead… Read More →

29DECNews

Ariana Grande reflects on 2023: “I have never felt more pride or love while simultaneously feeling deeply misunderstood”

Ariana Grande has looked back on her 2023, admitting that while she has “never felt more pride or joy or love”, she has also felt “so deeply misunderstood by people who don’t know me”. Grande has largely been away from the spotlight for much of 2023 while she’s been working on the follow-up to 2020’s ‘Positions’ but earlier this year addressed fans’ “concerns” over her body by urging them to be kinder to others and remember that “healthy can look different”. In a new post on her Instagram story, Grande wrote that 2023 was “one of the most transformative, yet most challenging, and yet happiest and most special years of my life. there were so many beautiful and yet polarised feelings. Advertisement “I’ve never felt more at the mercy of and in acceptance of what life was screaming to teach me. I’ve never felt more fulfilled by or present in my work, being able to cherish every moment. I gave everything I could have possibly given of my heart and of myself to the projects I was fortunate enough to be a part of and learned so much from every brilliant, beautiful soul that I had the privilege of creating… Read More →

29DECNews

Meet the cast of ‘Single’s Inferno’ Season 3

Netflix’s South Korean reality dating show Single’s Inferno has finally returned with its highly-anticipated third season – here’s everything you need to know about the new cast. As with previous seasons of Single’s Inferno, the series sees a cast of attractive singles travelling to a remote island called “inferno” as they search for romantic connections. However, cast members are not allowed to share personal details like their ages and occupations with one another until they have successfully paired up with another contestant for a night’s stay in “paradise”. Here’s everyone that’s been introduced on Single’s Inferno season 3 so far: Kim Gyu-ri Advertisement The first cast member to be introduced is Kim Gyu-ri, who is a 28-year-old model who primarily works with fashion and beauty brands. According to posts on her Instagram account (@citruszl), Kim was also a participant in Miss Korea 2022. Choi Hye-seon The next cast member to be introduced is Choi Hye-seon, a 26-year-old college student at the prestigious Ewha Women’s University. She majors in bioinformatics in the Life Sciences department, and has previously attended Durham University. Per her Instagram account (@hazelchoiii), she has also modelled for fashion and beauty brands in Korea. Choi Min-woo The first… Read More →

28DECNews

Watch Miley Cyrus cover Journey’s ‘Faithfully’ at intimate show

Miley Cyrus has shared a video of her covering Journey‘s 80s hit ‘Faithfully’ at an intimate show held at the Chateau Marmont. The pop singer’s rendition of the rock classic – which appeared on Journey’s 1983 LP ‘Frontiers’ and was written by Jonathan Cain – was performed as part of an intimate friends and family performance at the West Hollywood legendary hotel for the holidays. In a black-and-white video posted by Cyrus herself on her official X/Twitter page, the singer is seen performing in front of a lit-up Christmas tree. She also joked around while singing and said: “Dave Grohl is coming out of the Christmas tree for the drums” after the first verse and “You know the words to this one – there are none. It’s ‘woah,’” before diving into the chorus. Faithfully: Live From Chateau Marmont pic.twitter.com/VHXseiUZxN — Miley Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) December 27, 2023 Advertisement This is not the first time Cyrus has held a small performance at the Chateau Marmont. Last month, she finally gave her smash hit ‘Flowers’ its live debut at a private performance at the hotel. She performed the Grammy-nominated track backed by a modest piano accompaniment before an intimate crowd in a dimly… Read More →

28DECNews

Watch Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy play ‘Pull Me Under’ for the first time in 13 years

Dream Theater‘s Mike Portnoy, who recently returned to the band following a 13-year absence, has played ‘Pull Me Under’ for the first time in 13 years on Drumeo. Portnoy was recently featured in a 14-minute video for the YouTube drum education resource, Drumeo, depicting him discussing and playing through the band’s iconic ‘Images And Words’ cut, ‘Pull Me Under’. The video begins with Portnoy speaking about the significance of the track to Dream Theater’s career, describing it as “the song that put Dream Theater on the map”. Advertisement “It’s pretty safe to say, if we didn’t write that song, I wouldn’t be sitting here today,” he said. Portnoy also pointed out that ‘Pull Me Under’ was a last-minute addition to their 1992 album, at the prompting of their A&R person, Derek Oliver, who wanted one more song that was “more concise” to be featured on ‘Images And Words’. Portnoy also expressed that playing the track for the first time since his departure in 2010 was not difficult. “For me to play this now, it’s kind of just like riding a bicycle,” Portnoy quipped. “The muscle memory is just there for life, you know? It will be there forever.” Following his… Read More →

27DECNews

Fan’s death at Taylor Swift Brazil gig caused by heat exhaustion, says forensics report

The death of a fan at a Taylor Swift show in Brazil last month was caused by heat exhaustion, a forensics report has concluded. Ana Clara Benevides, aged 23, had fainted during the show on November 17, which took place in 38-degree heat. She died hours later at a local hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest. Following news of her death, Swift took to social media to say that she was left “devastated” by the announcement, and later cancelled the following show in the city due to the extreme temperatures. It had been widely reported that fans hadn’t been allowed to bring water into the Nilton Santos Stadium. Advertisement The report by Rio’s Forensic Medical Institute, which was seen by The Associated Press (via The Independent) said Benevides’ heat exposure led to a cardio-respiratory arrest. It also said she did not have preexisting conditions or substance abuse that could have led to her death. The forensics expert who analysed her body said in the document she had “serious compromise of her lungs and sudden death” due to the heat. Taylor Swift: Credit: James Devaney/Getty Organisers T4F did not immediately respond a request for comment from the AP. CEO Serafim Abreu said in a… Read More →

27DECNews

Ozzy Osbourne shuts down death hoax: “I’m not going any-fucking-where”

Ozzy Osbourne has shut down hoaxes claiming his death on The Osbournes podcast, stating: “I’m not going any-fucking-where”. Towards the end of the boxing day (December 26) ‘New Year’s special’ episode of The Osbournes, the Prince of Darkness took a moment to address unverified claims that he had died. “The thing on YouTube, it’s got ‘Celebrities Who Died Today’, and there’s a picture of me,” he said, pointing out the phenomenon. With a reference to Monty Python, he humorously clarified: “I’m not dead! I’m not really dead, just a little flesh wound.” Later, his wife Sharon Osbourne poured in on the issue, calling the outlets that have spread this misinformation “sick fuckers”. Advertisement Wrapping up on the topic, the Osbournes’ son Jack praised fans who have called out such publications by commenting on their inaccurate reports, before Ozzy looks into the camera and says: “I’m not dead, I’m not going any-fucking-where. And I’m gonna go and do some more gigs before I’m finished, anyway.” Watch Ozzy Osbourne comment on false claims of his death on The Osbournes podcast below: [embedded content] Recently, the rock veteran has been going back and forth between expressing his desire to return to touring, and… Read More →

26DECNews

Todd Phillips shares new images from ‘Joker’ sequel

Todd Phillips has shared new images from the forthcoming sequel to his 2019 DC Comics movie, Joker. The sequel – titled Folie à Deux – will be released on October 4, 2024, the same date as the fifth anniversary of Joker. Phillips shared two new stills on his Instagram account yesterday (December 25). “Wishing everyone a happy holiday and a beautiful new year,” he captioned the post. “October 2024 #Joker2.” Advertisement The first photo shows Phoenix as the Joker, visible through a small window in a prison door. The second image, meanwhile, finds Lady Gaga in her role as Harley Quinn, looking at the Joker, who is wearing his infamous makeup. Gaga previously shared a preview of herself in the iconic role in April, as filming on Joker: Folie à Deux came to a close. “That’s a wrap X Harleen,” the singer and actor wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of her in a black dress and smudged black eye makeup. The actor’s co-star Zazie Beetz spoke about the “musical elements” of the sequel in June, suggesting viewers will be “surprised” by them. Beetz will reprise her role of Sophie Dumond in the next instalment of the story. “I think… Read More →

26DECNews

‘The Bear’ season 3 will return to a “functioning kitchen atmosphere”

The third season of the hit culinary drama series, The Bear, will see its return to “a functioning kitchen atmosphere”, according to lead actor Jeremy Allen White. READ MORE: The Bear season 2 review: another perfectly cooked course Speaking to Variety for a new interview, White was asked what he could share about The Bear, which was renewed for a third season in November. White told the publication that several scripts have been written, though he has yet to read them. However, the revealed that he will in January begin to work with several professional chefs to prepare for the show. Advertisement He said to Variety: “I do know in January I’m going to spend a fair amount of time getting together with some chefs. There’ll be a menu set, I believe, that’s going to be for the restaurant in the third season. And I know that I’m going to start putting together that menu with different chefs and cooking and just trying to get prepared to do more of that stuff on camera.” The Bear press image. CREDIT: Disney+ Jeremy Allen White continued: “We all did a lot of preparation before the first season. I went to culinary school and… Read More →

25DECNews

What films are on TV this Christmas Day?

Forrest Gump and Toy Story 4 are among the Christmas Day film highlights on TV. For the big day, TV channels are showing a range of festive, non-festive and family classics while people slump on the sofa. Highlights include the fourth Toy Story on BBC One and Home Alone on Channel 4. Elsewhere, Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands and animated musical sequel Sing 2 occupy the schedule. Advertisement Many networks have also pulled from the bank of Tom Hanks, with Forrest Gump, Big and The Green Mile all being shown. See all the films available to watch on Christmas Day below. Kung Fu Panda 2 — Channel 4, 10.25am The Addams Family 2 — BBC One, 12.55pm Ice Age — ITV2, 1.10pm Deck The Halls — ITV2, 2.50pm Death On The Nile — BBC Two, 3.10pm The Italian Job — Channel 4, 3.10pm The Wizard Of Oz — Channel 5, 3.10pm Toy Story 4 — BBC One, 3.30pm Sing 2 — ITV1, 4.30pm Jumanji — ITV2, 4.40pm Home Alone — Channel 4, 5.30pm Big — ITV2, 6.50pm Edward Scissorhands — BBC Three, 7.30pm Bridesmaids — ITV2, 9pm The Green Mile — ITV4, 9pm Ghost — Sky Showcase, 9.45pm Forrest Gump —… Read More →

24DECNews

Logan Paul reacts to being brutally mocked on ‘South Park’

Logan Paul has responded to South Park for mocking him and his energy drink brand Prime in its latest episode. The special sees character Clyde Donovan sit in front of his computer as he watches Logan LeDouche – an influencer who is clearly a parody of the YouTuber – promote his energy drink “Cred”, with packaging similar to Paul’s brand. “When I feel like I can’t be myself, that’s when I need a hydration drink that will pick me up. That’s when I need Cred,” says LeDouche as he promotes his product on a YouTube parody. Advertisement “It’s the coolest sports drink in the world! Cred is 100 per cent sugar free. Cred has electolytes so you can ride your bike. And also Cred has more vitamin A than your body can possibly ever use.” A young child who’s had the drink is then shown saying: “I can’t feel my face.” “Drink Cred or you’re a piece of shit,” LeDouche adds before jumping out of a plane in a stunt similar to Paul’s marketing techniques for Prime. The new ‘SOUTH PARK’ special parodys the PRIME hydration drink and Logan Paul. Now streaming on Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/BpoHtuSl5Q — DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) December 20, 2023… Read More →

24DECNews

Harry Hill shares Shane MacGowan’s festive cameo on ‘TV Burp’

Harry Hill has re-shared Shane MacGowan‘s festive cameo from the 2010 Christmas special of TV Burp. The late Pogues frontman appeared on the show to sing the Irish band’s Christmas classic ‘Fairytale Of New York’, but in a hilarious, quintessentially TV Burp twist, the performance ended up becoming a duet with a giant beluga whale who squeaked along in place of what would have been Kirsty MacColl‘s parts. Despite the audience being in hysterics, MacGowan plays it completely straight, carrying on with his performance as if it were nothing out of the ordinary. Advertisement Hill has been posting to his Instagram account every day of December in a series of posts called ‘Mattvent’, where he shares a photo each day of a rogue mattress found in an odd place alongside old clips from TV Burp, which aired on Saturday nights between 2001 and 2012. Check out the clip of MacGowan’s appearance below: In a further Instagram post, Hill shared some extracts from his memoir Fight! where he recounted the experience of having MacGowan on the show. Hill had come up with the idea of MacGowan singing ‘Fairytale Of New York’ with a beluga whale played by a runner, but had been told by his producer Spencer… Read More →

24DECNews

Last minute gift guide for gig lovers

A paid for ad feature with viagogo. It’s almost Christmas and for many, that means a last minute panic as they try and find the perfect present. Gift vouchers are fine, socks are useful but overdone and the less said about shower gel gift sets the better. Instead, why not give the present of a great night out this Christmas? From huge stadium gigs through the bombast of live theatre to the dizzying excitement of watching your favourite new band dominate the stage of a small venue, tickets really do make the best gifts. With that in mind, we’ve created the ultimate last minute gift guide to help see you through this festive period. And hey, there’s no harm in buying an extra ticket for yourself either. It is your Christmas too. The mosher Fall Out Boy perform on their ‘So Much (For) Stardust’ tour. CREDIT: Elliott Ingham Advertisement Rock & roll is back in the mainstream thanks to TikTok and a new generation of artists rediscovering the raw power of the electric guitar. Whether you’re buying for a lifelong rock fan, or someone who’s just discovered Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’, you can’t go wrong with a ticket to Download Festival…. Read More →