Latest news with #LastChristmas
Forbes
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
George Michael Is Back Inside The Top 10 In America
George Michael's "Father Figure" reenters the R&B Digital Song Sales chart at No. 3, becoming a top ... More 10 bestseller decades after its release. English singer and songwriter George Michael (1963-2016) pictured wearing a leather jacket with BSA logo backstage during the Japanese/Australasian leg of his Faith World Tour, February-March 1988. (Photo by) George Michael returns to the Billboard charts in the United States each year around the holidays, thanks to Wham!'s smash "Last Christmas." The track is one of the most successful seasonal tunes in American history, and fans just can't seem to stop streaming or buying it when the weather turns cold. Radio stations begin spinning the cut every at the end of every year — often even before then, as Christmastime seems to kick off right after October these days. While "Last Christmas" all but guarantees Michael a yearly hit, several other tracks from his catalog bounce back from time to time. This week, one popular hit scores another turn on multiple lists as it becomes a bestseller in the U.S. (and a big one at that). "Father Figure" returns to a pair of Billboard rankings this frame, and in both instances, it performs very well. In one case, it becomes not just a top 10 smash, but one of the bestselling songs of its genre in the country. The track, taken from Michael's album Faith, currently sits highest on the R&B Digital Song Sales chart. On that list — which only tracks the bestselling tunes in America classified specifically as R&B — it reappears at No. 3. It's the highest-rising entry that wasn't present on the tally last frame. "Father Figure" can also be found on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales ranking. That list includes hip-hop and rap, in addition to R&B. Michael returns at No. 15, scoring the lowest-ranking return of the week for any title not already present on the roster. On the Rap Digital Song Sales tally, Michael is bested by a handful of debuts, including tracks from Doechii, Megan Thee Stallion, and Young Thug and Future. While "Father Figure" was released as a single in late 1987, it didn't debut on these Billboard charts until 2017. Of course, neither the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales nor the R&B Digital Song Sales lists existed at the time of its original release, as digital purchases on platforms like iTunes and Amazon wouldn't become real for decades. Since debuting in 2017, the song has only spent a handful of frames on these rankings. It rises back onto them, and falls away again every now and then. After arriving years ago, the track reached its all-time peak on both charts in January of this year.
New Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Henry's back for 'Another Simple Favour'
MALAYSIA'S "Mr Hollywood" Henry Golding is back in a dark drama-comedy, which reunites him with director Paul Feig and popular actresses Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively. On Prime Video since May 1, 'Another Simple Favour' sees him reprise his role from 2018's dark comedy 'A Simple Favour' as a Sean Townsend, a good man torn between two women, namely his villainous former wife Emily and his honest-to-goodness current one, Stephanie. In 'A Simple Favour', Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick), a mummy vlogger, formed an unexpected friendship with the ultra-chic Emily Nelson (Lively), a fellow mother at her son's school. When Emily asked Stephanie to watch her son for a few hours while she was away at work, what seemed like a simple favour quickly spiralled into a labyrinth of secrets, lies and shocking revelations. Emily mysteriously disappeared, and Stephanie was determined to find out what, or who, was behind her friend's sudden disappearance. She uncovered the shocking truth: Emily had killed her twin sister, Faith, and staged her own death to start a new life. When Emily's dark past was finally exposed, she was sentenced to 20 years in prison. In a recent interview, Feig said: "In 'Another Simple Favour', Stephanie and Emily reunite on the breathtaking island of Capri, Italy for Emily's extravagant wedding. "But beneath the stunning scenery and glamorous fashion lies imminent danger, dark secrets, and the chilling possibility of murder that threatens everyone on the island. "This thrilling sequel takes everything fans loved about the original 2018 dark comedy and amplifies it — delivering even more show stopping fashion, high-stakes drama, and suspense. "Set against the backdrop of a breathtakingly beautiful location, the film reunites the original cast while introducing a new group of mysterious characters. "No one is safe, and every moment leaves you guessing, right up until the end." Many of the original movie's characters are back, such as Andrew Rannells as Stephanie's friend Darren, and Joshua Satine and Ian Ho as Stephanie's son Miles, and Emily's son Nicky respectively. Golding said that he was immediately excited by the script. "My initial reaction was one of just – How fun!" said the star of films like 'Crazy Rich Asians' and 'Last Christmas'. "I think Paul leaned into what everybody loved about the first film, and he wasn't afraid to amp it up and make those twists and turns even more shocking and graphic." Golding added that Sean certainly gets to cut loose. "He's only in Capri to accompany his son Nicky at his mother's second wedding, and he gets through the occasion by unwinding a little bit too hard, often acting outrageously, all filters removed. "I told Paul, I want to make sure Sean has a fun time in this one because he was a bit of a punchbag in the last movie. "So this time he has some barbed edges as he gets roped back into Emily's world." VLOGGING Feig said that Stephanie's vlog — which she has used to chronicle the investigation — has catapulted her to social media fame and part-time detective work. "Stephanie has reaped the rewards of her viral success, solving several more cases since Emily's incarceration. "However a recent case has her wrestling with guilt that she cannot seem to shake. "Stephanie puts her vlog on hiatus and is reluctant to celebrate the release of her first true-crime book which recounts the wild twists of Emily's case." Feig added that what begins as a routine day takes a shocking turn when to Stephanie's astonishment, standing before her is Emily, whom she thought had been serving a 20-year sentence for murder. "Emily reveals she's been released on appeal and about to jet off to Capri to marry a mysterious man from her past, Dante Versano. "She has a surprising favour to ask of Stephanie: to be her maid of honour." Feig admitted that after the release of the first film in 2018, he had no intention of creating a sequel. Despite the film's impressive box office performance, earning nearly US$100 million on a US$20 million budget, the idea of a sequel remained off the table. Feig explained: "During the pandemic, a lot more people discovered the film on streaming, and its popularity surged. "So, my team decided to get a second movie." THRILLER Feig, who had previously directed global hit female-led comedies such as 'Bridesmaids' and 'Spy', had always been averse to sequels, until now. "But Anna and Blake really stuck in my head, and I felt like there's something more to be done with them. "I wanted to see these two women take the next step and join together against a common adversary." Feig knew the exact ingredients needed for a great sequel. "It's a real delicate balance, and I feel we came up with exactly what we needed to have, which is a twisty, sexy, unexpected adventure thriller. "It was also fun to take Stephanie out of suburbia and drop her into the over the top European opulence of Capri." Several new players have joined the cast, including Italian actor Michele Morrone as Emily's wealthy mafia boss husband-to-be, Dante Versano, Italian actress Elena Sofia Ricci as Dante's mother, Portia and Oscar-winning actress Allison Janney of 'The West Wing' fame as Dante's aunt Linda.
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Northampton Town Whamageddon stadium DJ hangs up headphones
A football stadium DJ who gained international fame for knocking more than 7,000 people out of cult game Whamageddon is hanging up his headphones after eight try to avoid Wham!'s 1984 hit Last Christmas for as long as possible before Christmas Eve and are eliminated once they hear Facer, DJ at Northampton Town, was criticised for playing it at the home game against Portsmouth on 2 December in what happened, he joked: "I get contacted by some people at BBC News, it goes a bit crazy on there, and then, before I know it, I'm a question on Have I Got News For You?" Whamageddon started about 10 years ago, and has grown in a popularity through social now has set rules, a dedicated website, and Facer, known as DJ Matty, played the song during half-time in the League One clash at Sixfields, attended by 7,215 the incident he appeared on BBC Radio Northampton to "officially apologise to everybody whose Christmas I've ruined".The story initially appeared on the BBC News website, and then other said: "I've got [ITV's] This Morning mentioning it, I'm getting a phone call from the Washington Post to do an interview, it's in the New York Times, the Rolling Stone magazine, the NME."It's just crazy, but it's all good fun." 'An absolute privilege' Mr Facer's last game will be Northampton Town final League One match of the season against Wigan on said work commitments meant he could no longer take up the role."It's been great fun, a real honour," he DJ, who had played in pubs and clubs, started on 26 august 2017 after a conversation with the chairman Kelvin Thomas."I remember how honoured and excited I was to get the opportunity," he said.A lifelong Northampton Town fan, he said: "All of a sudden, there I am playing music in front of thousands people, it's an absolute privilege."Everyone [at the club] has been fantastic."From the outside looking in, everybody can see what a great club it is, but I can say from experiencing it, their matchday team and everyone from [chairman] Kelvin [Thomas] downwards, it is a real family." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Express Tribune
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Charli xcx has been nominated for the Ivors
Charli xcx's hit album Brat and Wham!'s perennial festive hit Last Christmas are among the musical works nominated at next month's Ivors, Britain's annual awards honouring songwriters and screen composers. Lola Young was in the lead on Wednesday with three nominations, her first from the Ivors Academy. They included one for rising star, while her single Messy was among the contenders for best song musically and lyrically. Her record This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway is nominated for best album, alongside Charli xcx's Brat, which inspired a cultural phenomenon last year, and singer Jordan Rakei's The Loop. Wham!'s Last Christmas, which was released in 1984 but regularly returns to the UK charts during the festive season, is nominated in the most performed work category. Its writer, late singer George Michael was last nominated at the Ivors 20 years ago. Also nominated are Dua Lipa's Houdini, Myles Smith's Stargazing and Prada by Casso, Raye and D-Block Europe. Harry Styles' 2022 As It Was, nominated for a third year running, completes the most performed work category list. After winning songwriter of the year at last year's Ivors, Raye is nominated for best song musically and lyrically for her single Genesis. Also nominated in that category are Child of Mine by Laura Marling, In the Modern World by Fontaines D.C. and Orla Gartland's Mine. Best contemporary song contenders are Ghetts' Double Standards (feat. Sampha), Pa Salieu's Allergy, Jade's Angel of My Dreams, Sans Soucis' Circumnavigating Georgia and Bashy's How Black Men Lose Their Smile. Last month, organisers said Irish rockers U2 would receive the Ivors Academy Fellowship, the UK-based association's highest honour, at this year's awards, their 70th edition. Named after the early 20th century Welsh composer, actor and entertainer Ivor Novello, the Ivor Awards were first handed out in 1956. This year's ceremony will be held on May 22 in London. Reuters
Perth Now
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Lola Young leads Ivor Novello nominations
Lola Young leads the list of nominees for the Ivor Novello Awards. The 24-year-old singer has been nominated for three gongs, including Best Album, Best Song Musically and Lyrically, and the Rising Star Award. Lola released her second studio album, 'This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway', in 2024. But she will face stiff competition for the Best Album award from Charli XCX, Ghetts, Jordan Rakei, and BERWYN. RAYE, Ghetts, and Conor Dickinson have all been nominated for two awards each, with RAYE receiving nods in the Most Performed Work and the Best Song Musically and Lyrically categories. Tom Gray, the chair of The Ivors Academy, said: "Everyone knows The Ivors are the most joyful celebration of music making in the calendar. Many of the most talented and creative people on the planet get together to celebrate each other's exceptional originality and craft. "Congratulations to all of the remarkable nominees this year. It's a huge privilege for The Ivors Academy to champion music creation in all its forms." Jade Thirlwall - who is best known for starring in Little Mix, the chart-topping girl group - has been nominated for the Best Contemporary Song accolade for her first solo single, 'Angel of My Dreams'. Elsewhere, Wham! - the pop ground founded by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in 1981 - have received a nomination for 'Last Christmas', their 1984 hit single. However, Wham! will face competition for the Most Performed Work gong from the likes of Harry Styles, Dua Lipa and Myles Smith. Meanwhile, the nominees for the Rising Star Award with Amazon Music include Bea and her Business, Liang Lawrence, LULU., Nia Smith and Lola. The award winners will be announced at Grosvenor House in London on May 22. Full list of nominees for The Ivors 2025 with Amazon Music: Best album: Charli XCX - Brat Ghetts - On Purpose, With Purpose Jordan Rakei - The Loop Lola Young - This Wasn't Meant For You Anyway Berwyn - Who Am I Best contemporary song: Pa Salieu - Allergy Jade - Angel of My Dreams Sans Soucis - Circumnavigating Georgia Ghetts ft Sampha - Double Standards Bashy - How Black Men Lose Their Smile Best song musically and lyrically: Laura Marling - Child of Mine Raye - Genesis Fontaines DC - In the Modern World Lola Young - Messy Orla Gartland - Mine Most performed work: Harry Styles - As It Was Dua Lipa - Houdini Wham! - Last Christmas Cassö, Raye and D-Block Europe - Prada Myles Smith - Stargazing Rising star: Bea and her Business Liang Lawrence Lola Young LULU. Nia Smith Best original film score: Fly Me To the Moon - Daniel Pemberton Hard Truths - Gary Yershon Kneecap - Michael 'Mickey J' Asante The Substance - Raffertie The Zone of Interest - Mica Levi Best original video game score: Empire of the Ants - Mathieu Alvado and Mark Choi Farewell North - John Konsolakis Flock - Eli Rainsberry Senua's Saga: Hellblade II - David Garcia Diaz The Casting of Frank Stone - Boxed Ape Best television soundtrack: Black Doves - Martin Phipps Mary and George - Oliver Coates Rivals - Jack Halama and Natalie Holt True Detective: Night Country - Vince Pope Until I Kill You - Carly Paradis
