Madeline Merlo, Sacha, and Dallas Smith lined up as 2025 CCMA Awards performers
The Canadian Country Music Association announced the first wave of artists slated to play the televised music bash, which broadcasts live on Sept. 13 from Kelowna, B.C.
They'll be joined by Sacha, Cameron Whitcomb and Thelma & James, the stage name of husband-and-wife duo MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge.
Also set to appear are Nashville trio Restless Road and Illinois-based Alexandra Kay, who gained TikTok popularity for singing covers while brewing coffee in her kitchen.
Nominees for the CCMA Awards are set to be announced on July 17.
This year's show comes with a comedic twist as actor and funnyman Tom Green hosts the proceedings, which air live on CTV and its online platforms, and will be available to stream the next day on Crave.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2025.
Note to readers:This is a corrected story. A previous headline erroneously listed Dallas Green as a performer. In fact, it is Dallas Smith.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The London graphic designer creating fonts for Real Madrid and Revolut
In another life Mark Bloom might have become a comic-strip illustrator. But in a moment of self-realisation in his teens he knew he was just not quite good enough to make a living as an artist and stumbled into its career cousin, graphic design. Now, at 48, he is one of Britain's leading typeface designers and founder of the Woodford Green-based CoType Foundry. The company boasts an illustrious clients list that includes Real Madrid, Ajax Amsterdam, Tui, Revolut and Eurosport. Oh, and not forgetting The London Standard, which has been using his Orbikular typeface online and in print for two years. We often take typefaces for granted. But there are thousands, possibly millions of them out there if you include the bold, light and italic fonts of each Latin alphabet typeface, as well as those for languages using different lettering systems such as Thai or Arabic. Bloom recalls when he went on holiday to Menorca with his wife and two teenage children this summer and saw the Ambit typeface he designed everywhere on Tui's branding at Stansted airport. 'It was a really nice moment,' he says, although he was perhaps the only passenger to notice. We often take typefaces for granted. But there are thousands of them out there Bloom stumbled into typeface design 'almost by accident' after building a successful career in graphic design. As a teenager growing up in Winchmore Hill in north London, where he 'loved art at school', he won a book token. With it he bought a book at WHSmith about graphic design, 'not really knowing what it was'. But the impact was immediate. A placement at a local design agency followed 'and I fell in love with it and felt that this is what I wanted to do'. He studied visual communication design at Middlesex University before joining a local advertising agency. This was the late 1990s and one of Bloom's early jobs was designing flyers for some of the super-clubs of the era including Ministry of Sound. In 2009 he was made redundant and decided to set up his own agency called Mash Creative. The 'sliding doors' moment came when the design and architecture magazine Icon approached him to pen for its monthly feature Rethink, in which a guest writer is invited to give a pretend refresh to a well-established brand. Bloom recalls, 'I decided to do the Royal Mail logo, and off the back of that I started to design a typeface I called RM Regular. It was all fictional, I wanted to design a typeface that didn't exist for Royal Mail. I got lucky, before that I was not particularly well known in the industry, but that project featured on a lot of design blogs.' A stream of prestigious design work from global brands such as Coca-Cola, Beats by Dre, Pringles and Nike followed over the next few years. But that project designing a new font for Royal Mail stuck in the back of Bloom's head and would not go away. In 2019 he scratched the itch, dusted down his old RM Regular typeface, improved it and developed light and bold versions. What had been a hobby, a personal pet project, was about to become a career. A conversation with a fellow graphic designer Joe Leadbetter in 2019 quickly morphed into a quest to design an entirely new font, dubbed Aeonik. It is described, in the lingo of the industry, as 'neo-grotesque with a geometric skeleton' and used by the likes of Revolut, Euro Sport and Alipay. 'In my wildest dreams I wanted it to be the new Helvetica' Bloom says the newly created font was, in part, born out of frustration with the ubiquitous Helvetica, a 'go to' 68-year-old typeface seen everywhere from the New York Metro map to the BMW logo. Bloom says 'the idea was to design a typeface to be used in graphic design. In my wildest dreams I wanted it to be the new Helvetica.' Rather than sell his new creation through a typeface foundry — which normally take a 50 per cent commission — Bloom set up his own micro-site and went direct to punters with Aeonik. It is still his biggest-selling typeface. Other fonts quickly followed: Coanda, combining 'a technological aesthetic with subtle human touches'; Ambit, 'an eccentric and distinctive sans-serif font'; and yet another iteration of that old Royal Mail update called RM Neue. This quartet launched CoType Foundry in 2019 but now there is a family of 18 typefaces all produced from Bloom's small office — or, more accurately, from the computers of his working-from-home team of five. From the off, the typeface business 'skyrocketed' and quickly eclipsed the existing graphic design agency. Orders now come in from around the world, especially after Greek, Korean, Cyrillic, Vietnamese, Thai and Hebrew versions of Aeonik were developed. As Bloom explains, 'There are millions of typefaces out there, but probably only a few hundred that have that level of language support, maybe less than one per cent. We felt that this was a very successful typeface, let's make it accessible not just for western Europe but globally. Now only a fraction of our orders are from the UK.' Household-name overseas clients include Spanish football club Real Madrid which, serendipitously, chose an RM font for their branding. Another big football name, the Dutch club Ajax, commissioned their own exclusive typeface — called, appropriately, Ajax — from Bloom's foundry. Dutch club Ajax, commissioned their own exclusive typeface — called, appropriately, Ajax CoType makes money from selling licences to use fonts, both online to individual and small business customers, and offline to major corporate clients. Fees start from £45 for a single type, in a single 'weight' — the measure of thickness or boldness of the characters — for a desktop licence. But they can go up to the tens of thousands of pounds for a major company with a website receiving millions of views. Inspiration for the new typefaces can come from anywhere, says Bloom. One called Lock, for example, emerged from Bloom's fascination with the thick and thin ink strokes made by a calligraphy pen. Typically a new font will start with just a few letters, with the rest of the alphabet built up around it to create a consistent look. With so many typefaces already out there, keeping clear of existing fonts is always a challenge — as is keeping an eye out for any rip-offs of CoType's creations. Another hurdle is persuading potential clients to invest in a typeface 'that is going to be different and stand out from the competition' rather than go for one of the freely available fonts on Google used by hundreds of millions. Creating a new typeface can be done in as little as three months — as it was for Ajax, although the club only wanted upper case, which speeded things up. It all depends on the number of 'glyphs' — industry jargon for each individual character, whether a basic letter, number, punctuation, letter with accents, or symbol such as a percentage sign. A basic Latin font covering the main western languages has 120 glyphs. Broader coverage including characters only used by less widely read languages runs to 250 glyphs, while a genuine pan-European Latin font has 329 glyphs. But a Korean Hanguel font will run to thousands of glyphs and a Japanese and Chinese typeface to tens of thousands. There are also new trends to consider. Many fonts now have to work in a 'user interface' environment on a smartphone or for in-car entertainment where, as Bloom puts it, 'they need to perform well at small sizes'. It is a fast-moving world but many of the basic principles are unchanging. Bloom points to how titans of the modern world economy such as Apple, Amazon and Nike have recognised just how vital fonts are to their brand identity. He says Apple's San Francisco, Amazon's Ember and Nike's Trade Gothic are almost as emblematic as their celebrated logos — in some cases even more so. With the CoType Foundry now established as one of the country's most successful font typeface businesses, Bloom has no regrets about missing out on that illustrator career: 'Designing typefaces has met all my creative needs.' CoType Foundry can be found online at or on on Instagram as @cotypefoundry Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Buzz Feed
4 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
50 Alternatives To More Expensive Products You'll Love So Much, You May Shed A Tear
A TikTok-famous "Soft" perfume rollerball that'll have you smelling like a walking, talking, sugar-filled bakery — all for only $6. It has a hint of sweet citrus, and plenty of reviewers compare it to the smell of warm sugar cookies. Plus, it even reminds reviewers of the popular (and VERY expensive) "Pink Sugar" perfume. 👀 A pair of "Dreamlux" leggings reviewers can't help but compare to Lululemon thanks to that buttery soft material — but, like, a lot cheaper. They're perfect for running errands, lounging around, or even hitting that squat goal at the gym — because yeah, they're just that comfy. A Baccarat Rouge 540-inspired moisturizing body wash with white jasmine, red currant, and sweet amber so you can smell as ✨expensive✨ as you feel. A 🍒cherry bag charm🍒 you can clip onto your purse or keys because loving cherries is a personality trait at this rate, and honestly, why not embrace it? This looks pretty much just like the $95 Coach one, and even has a nice feel and weight to it (but like, wayyy less expensive). A tote bag people will ~swear~ is the Longchamp Le Pliage bag at first (and second, and third) glance — after all, it even folds up into a lil' compact rectangle just like it. It's the perfect bag to take along to the office, thanks to how sleek and professional it looks — plus, it's large enough to fit a laptop, toiletry bag, and everything else you could possibly need. Or an elevated laptop tote bag because you deserve to strut into work in style. It's roomy, super versatile, and the perfect alternative to the Béis Work Tote, but a lot less $$$. Reviewers even say they like this one a lot better. A lingerie bodysuit with an elegant lace pattern and plunging neckline to make you feel ~sexy~ without having to drop $$$ on that expensive Victoria's Secret set you've been eyeing. 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A seamless, compressive ribbed bodycon jumpsuit oh-so-freakin' similar to the Skims jumpsuit that has dominated your FYP lately, but for like a fraction of the price. It's the perf 'fit for a low-impact workout, a casual outing, or simply modeling for your Insta story. No one has to know that you got it from Amazon. A bottle of Elizavecca Hair Treatment for anyone who wants a frizz-free, silky look without paying exorbitant salon prices. Just apply it to wet hair, leave it in for five minutes, and say goodbye to the damaged look your hair has been sporting after years of abuse at the hands of bleach and flat irons. Many reviewers even say this is comparable (or even better) than the pricey Olaplex No.3. An oversized hoodie, because why pay for an Abercrombie Essential Popover hoodie when this is basically the same thing for so much cheaper? You're gonna wanna snag one (or five) of these ASAP. An interactive Petcube pet camera with a wide angle and night vision, for peace of mind since you'll have the ability to check in on your furry baby 24/7 — for like a fraction of the price of the famous Furbo. A three-pack of vintage-inspired sunglasses to make you look like you dropped money on RayBans, but sans the crippling worry of accidentally dropping 'em. No need to fear losing these bad boys while lounging poolside at that fab resort you booked — these glasses are not only super cute but extremely affordable, so you can keep a backup pair (or two) for the days you misplace these at the tiki bar. An affordable longline sports bra if you've always wanted the Lululemon look, but you don't feel like dropping 💸💸💸 on the name brand. The look and material are so comparable to Lulu, no one will believe you were able to snag this from Amazon. Time to get one in every color. A quilted purse that's really giving ✨Chanel.✨ It's luxurious, has quilt stitching (be still, my beating heart), three compartments, and is super sophisticated-looking. You'll find yourself reaching for this bag on every occasion. The best part? This bag won't cost you a whole month's rent. Or a chain purse if you've always salivated over the thought of owning Gucci's Dionysus bag, but your bank account says ✨no.✨ This has the same chain style and front clasp, so no one will even be able to tell the difference — don't worry, I won't spill your lil' secret. A Renpho percussion massager with five different heads and speeds so you can use it all over your body. You can give yourself a great deep muscle massage at a much more affordable rate than the TheraGun that's been sitting in your cart for the last few weeks. A 20-pack (!) of extra-thick magic cleaning pads that will erase any crayon, pen, or scuff marks from... well... just about anything. Walls, floors, tubs, sinks, cars, and shoes — even the decrepit chandelier in the foyer can be cleaned with a lil' bit of elbow grease, some water, and these magical sponges. It's pretty much just like Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, just ✨cheaper ✨. A set of aesthetic wrist and ankle weights because *yes*, you absolutely CAN look cute even with weights literally strapped to your wrist. And all without having to sell out $50+ on a set of trendy Bala Bangles??? You're gonna be the trendiest person at your gym. An adorable, roomy duffel bag, incredibly similar to Herschel's duffel (but, ya know, waterproof), that will be the perfect accessory for your weekend trip, with the added bonus of being cute enough to not clash with your perfectly curated 'fit. A 6-quart Dutch oven that will elevate your kitchen aesthetics, but won't hurt your wallet like the chef-beloved Le Creuset. This baby heats up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and cooks everything evenly, so it can withstand a bunch of different cooking styles — no problem! Use this baby to cook up some rice, soup, stew, or even some sourdough bread. Essence's Lash Princess Mascara for those of you who would love a way to get the falsies look for $5! This mascara is incredibly affordable, incredibly volumizing, and lasts the entire day — plus, it comes off so easily, no smudging or makeup remover required! Say goodbye to the days of shelling out for more expensive mascaras like Too Faced Better Than Sex, L'Oreal Telescopic Lift, and many, many more — this one is infinitely better. A set of satin pillowcases that are gentle on hair, meaning you're less likely to experience tangles or frizz, no matter how much you toss and turn. And no, you don't need to spend as much as you would buying the popular Slip pillowcases. E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer, with tea tree and vitamin E to smooth out the appearance of wrinkles, blur pores, and get that whole IRL filter look. Plus, it hydrates your skin, lasts all day, and is a lot cheaper (yet incredibly similar to) Tatcha's Silk Canvas primer! Time to make this a staple in your makeup routine. A pair of Cushionaire cork-bottom sandals if you want that Mayari Birks feel but without that higher ticket price. They're incredibly flexible, so they're comfortable to wear for long walks across the beach or through the outlet mall. They have over 75,000 ratings on Amazon, and reviewers basically swear by them! A trio of hydrating lip sleeping masks to give you soft and supple lips for less than half the price of the popular Laneige lip mask. These masks use ingredients like berry extract and vitamin C to target dry and cracked lips while you sleep. There are three different scents, so you can share them with friends — or hoard them all for yourself. L'Oreal's illuminating Lumi Glotion for those of you who want that perfect "no-makeup" look. You can use this in place of foundation or simply add it to your existing makeup look for a bit of a glow. Plus, it's under $15, so it's the perfect substitute for the pricier options like Glossier Futuredew and Drunk Elephant's D-Bronzi Drops. A fanny pack to keep your most valuable items strapped close to your chest — it's necessary while you weave through a busy mall or an overpopulated airport terminal. And it's striking just how closely it resembles the Lululemon belt bag. A pair of stylish teardrop earrings so much cheaper than the (very) expensive Bottega Veneta ones that look exactly like them. These gold-plated earrings may look heavy, but reviewers swear they're lightweight and perfect for those with sensitive ears. A midi corset dress to make you feel like you're a modern-day princess just taking a walk through the woods. It has a back cinch and a front tie, basically all the same features as the TikTok-famous House of CB Carmen dress (but you know, not $225) — your little heart will be aflutter at the sight of this cutesy dress. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water that will gently cleanse your skin and lift away even waterproof makeup, along with dirt and excess oil. Reviewers even prefer this to Bioderma, which is more than double the price. Slingback heels so similar to Chanel, you'll find yourself triple-checking the price just in case! You can pair 'em with slacks or a cutesy lil' dress — you'll basically be radiating luxury. And a pair of slip-on loafer mules with the iconic gold clasp that'll have your friends swearingggg they're Gucci. Sophistication, meet an affordable price tag. Yeah, you def need these ASAP. A faux pearl choker so dainty and elegant, Vivienne Westwood herself will be impressed by how ridiculously similar it looks to the real one. 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A sleeveless halter bodysuit so you don't have to overpay for a closet staple ever again. Its buttery soft feel reminds reviewers of the famous Skims one, with some even claiming that they prefer it to the name brand! A cubic zirconia cuff that'll have strangers actually thinking you spent (wait, checks notes) $17,000 😱 on the Cartier Love Bracelet. Not only is it less than $12, but you don't need to screw it on — unlike the way too ridiculously expensive version. And on that note, a cubic zirconia ring because you've always wanted the Cartier Love Ring to match, but not the price attached to it. It's simple, it's elegant, and it's pretty much guaranteed to never go out of style. Time to get one in every metal. A classic pleated tennis skirt to make it look like you belong at a country club tennis court — no one's gotta know you've got a budget. Reviewers have compared these to Nike, Alo, and Aritzia — hello, bougie! Or a high-waisted mini skirt that looks incredibly familiar (hello, Aritzia? Is that you?) and made with a satiny material that is sure to make you feel ~très chic~. This skirt comes in a bunch of different colors, so you can snag a bunch of 'em for the same price as a single name-brand one — and no one will even be able to tell the difference. A simple, gorgeous tennis bracelet to add some ✨sparkle✨ to your wrist, but ya know, without costing you the down payment of a nice house in the suburbs. This elegant piece looks just like Swarovski, and reviewers say it doesn't tarnish, so it's bound to last you a lifetime. After all, diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but cubic zirconia is her lover. Eve Hansen Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum to make you feel like you just got a facial, when really all you did was apply a few drops of this lil' magic potion. It'll hydrate your skin, reduce under-eye puffiness and dark circles, smooth fine lines, boost overall hydration, and create a radiant glow✨! Plus, reviewers even compare it to TNS Recovery Complex serum, which is literally over $200 for a 1-ounce bottle (YIKES). A full-zip track jacket because dropping $100+ on that Lululemon Define jacket honestly does not seem like the best financial decision at this time — but honestly, why would you, when this baby is so similar and literally a fraction of the price?! And yeah, don't worry, it even has the thumb holes. An expensive-looking faux-leather belt that is sure to become the focal piece of your outfit. Is it actually Gucci? Perhaps not. But those buddies you meet weekly for brunch don't gotta know that. Nyx Fat Oil Lip Drip, because why spend $40+ on that one Dior lip oil, when you can have basically the same thing for $9?! It's hydrating (thank you, vegan squalane), has beautiful sheer colors, and, despite the gloss, is surprisingly not sticky! Literally gorgeous. A loungewear set for those of you who don't want to sacrifice comfort for style. You can lounge around confident in your fashionista status with a set that looks ridiculously similar to the Skims set the Kardashians are known to adore. You, after calculating how much money you just saved: The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Goodbye, Carrie Bradshaw: 'Sex and the City' fans react to the bittersweet end of 'And Just Like That...'
After three seasons, the controversial HBO Max spinoff has ended. I couldn't help but wonder … is this really the last time we'll see Carrie Bradshaw? The Sex and the City revival series, And Just Like That…, came to an end last night after three seasons. The controversial reboot, which premiered on HBO Max in 2021, was hardly perfect — and was often criticized by O.G. SATC fans, even as they continued to tune in. Still, bidding adieu to Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her besties, Charlotte York (Kristin Davis) and Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), is bittersweet. The AJLT series finale marks the end of our collective witnessing of these enduring female friendships. It really is the end of an era. Again. 'Farewell to And Just Like That. You were a show that should have never been made but I would've watched 20 more seasons of you. Why am I crying?' one fan asked on TikTok, while another declared, 'Was AJLT good? No. Did I cry over the ending? Abso-f****ng-lutely. The end of an era.' One fan mourned on X, 'I know the storylines haven't always been great & some of the additional characters were bizarre, but I'm going to miss the end of my Thursday night Carrie fix, especially after it started getting interesting.' Ahead of Thursday night's finale, much of the fandom was left wondering what would happen to our favorite Manolo Blahnik-loving fashionista. Would Bradshaw, who'd broken up with Aidan Shaw (John Corbett) for the third time, remain single? Or would she open herself up to the possibility of love with her downstairs neighbor, Duncan Reeves (Jonathan Cake)? Writer, director and showrunner of And Just Like That… Michael Patrick King opted for the former: Bradshaw chooses herself. It was an ending — and decision — that King felt was appropriate for a protagonist who's had her fair share of tumultuous romances over the last 27 years. 'The last line: The Woman realized she wasn't alone. She was on her own. That's it,' King recently told Hollywood Reporter. 'That is what I wanted to say as an echo and a callback and a response to the finale of Sex and the City.' Parker, herself, is also proud of where Bradshaw ends up, telling the New York Times in a story published Friday, 'She's wiser. She's much more comfortable with the questions that had been uncomfortable. She had, after the loss of a husband, a sort of nobility that I didn't know she would possess. She carries her years with her, and it doesn't mean that she's cynical or ruined or bitter or angry. She is still spirited and enthusiastic and curious.' King and Parker aren't the only ones happy with where we left Bradshaw — plenty of fans are too. 'Watching a woman constantly kind of like, tow the line between being independent and completely codependent, and like, kind of always needing a man to be OK, has been informative to my experience as a woman, I believe,' a loyal Sex and the City viewer said of Bradshaw on TikTok. 'Carrie ending up on her own, and being happy and being OK. You guys, I'm not kidding… I'm not looking for a man ever again… Carrie Bradshaw made being single OK.' Another fan shared a similarly joyous sentiment on X, writing, 'I'm glad Carrie is on her own. She doesn't need a man to be happy. She's got herself, her friends, her remarkable clothing, her brownstone, and her adorable cat. Sounds like a fabulous life to me.' Earlier this month, Parker shared an emotional tribute to her onscreen alter ego, whom she began portraying in 1998. 'Carrie Bradshaw has dominated my professional heartbeat for 27 years,' Parker wrote on Instagram. 'I think I have loved her most of all. I know others have loved her just as I have. Been frustrated, condemned and rooted for her. The symphony of all those emotions has been the greatest soundtrack and most consequential companion. Therefore the most sentimental and profound gratitude and lifetime of debt. To you all.'
