Latest news with #XIXEntertainment
South China Morning Post
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
American Idol creator Simon Fuller launches search for Hong Kong's next pop star
American Idol creator Simon Fuller will search across the city for the next big star with a 'Hong Kong spirit' to join his international pop group, which will also perform at the horse races through a collaboration with the Hong Kong Jockey Club. British entrepreneur and talent manager Fuller also expressed confidence that music could transcend geopolitical boundaries, despite worsening global tensions amid the US-China trade war. Together with the club, which aims to transform itself into a global sports entertainment brand, Fuller on Monday announced a citywide talent search to shine on the international stage with the pop group Now United, which is managed by his label XIX Entertainment. 'Hong Kong opened my eyes to Asia, this is a magnificent city with deep cultural roots,' Fuller told the Post in an exclusive interview. 'If you introduce entertainment with sport, it brings more audience and makes it more aspirational and contemporary, attracting more females and younger people.' The performer should represent the 'optimism and aspirational values' he sees in Hong Kong as a world-class city, according to Fuller.
South China Morning Post
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
America Idol creator Simon Fuller launches search for Hong Kong's next pop star
American Idol creator Simon Fuller will search across the city for the next big star with a 'Hong Kong spirit' to join his international pop group, which will also perform at the horse races through a collaboration with the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Advertisement British entrepreneur and talent manager Fuller also expressed confidence that music could transcend geopolitical boundaries, despite worsening global tensions amid the US-China trade war. Together with the club, which aims to transform itself into a global sports entertainment brand, Fuller on Monday announced a citywide talent search to shine on the international stage with the pop group Now United, which is managed by his label XIX Entertainment. 'Hong Kong opened my eyes to Asia, this is a magnificent city with deep cultural roots,' Fuller told the Post in an exclusive interview. 'If you introduce entertainment with sport, it brings more audience and makes it more aspirational and contemporary, attracting more females and younger people.' Advertisement The performer should represent the 'optimism and aspirational values' he sees in Hong Kong as a world-class city, according to Fuller.
Associated Press
12-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Jockey Club announces plans to become a global sports entertainment brand and to showcase Hong Kong as a centre for global exchange, connectivity and tourism
HONG KONG, May 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today (12 May), The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) announced the launch of a major initiative to transform itself into a global sports entertainment brand with the ultimate aim of creating even more value for the community. In support, the Club has entered into a strategic partnership with XIX Entertainment (XIX), one of the world's top entertainment brands. Over the past 20 years, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become a world-class racing brand. Its Group 1 races and superstar horses feature strongly in the world rankings, with two of the world's best horses currently based in Hong Kong. Some of the world's best jockeys and trainers are in Hong Kong. The Club's racing is broadcast to millions of fans across five continents, with 25% of its income now derived from overseas. The Club's racecourse facilities are second to none. And through its Happy Wednesday brand, which showcases sports with entertainment, and major raceday events featuring international and Hong Kong stars, combining lifestyle and entertainment, the Club has developed a highly attractive racecourse entertainment experience. All of this has enabled the Club to significantly increase its support for the community. In 2023/24 alone, the Club contributed a record HK$40.1 billion in tax and approved charity donations. It has also made racing a highly attractive visitor experience, with over 143,000 tourists visiting the racecourses so far this season. This encouraging tourist attendance owes a great deal to the support for racing tourism in the recent Hong Kong CE Policy Address, and to the efforts of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Tourism Board in promoting Hong Kong horse racing globally. The Club is also grateful for the new strategic collaboration with the China Tourism Group in promoting the Club's world-class racing sport in the Mainland. Now the Club's vision is to go one step further - to become a global sports entertainment brand. In other words to create a holistically integrated racing, equestrian sports and entertainment experience, which will enable the Club to expand its fan base, especially to the younger generation, and to reach out to a global and Mainland audience. Ultimately the aim is to become the premier destination for global horse racing and equestrian sports. This, the Club believes, perfectly matches Hong Kong's aspiration to become a hub for international exchanges and cooperation, as well as a centre for international cultural exchange as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan. It will also enable the Club to contribute even more to the betterment of society. As a first step, the Club is delighted to partner with XIX under the leadership of its visionary founder, Simon Fuller. The first collaboration will bring XIX's global pop group, Now United, to Hong Kong. The first initiative, Now United, will give Hong Kong's talent a chance to shine on the world stage, while through social media and racecourse performances the group will share positive stories about Hong Kong and Hong Kong racing with their millions of fans around the world. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club said he was excited to announce the Club's plans to become a globally recognised sports entertainment brand, which will enable the Club to contribute even more to Hong Kong. Holistically integrating entertainment, racing and equestrian sport, at its heart will be a celebration of the strong bonding between horses and humans. This, he said, perfectly matches Hong Kong's aspiration to expand its global connectivity. Finally, looking ahead to the Year of the Horse in 2026, it is the perfect moment to use entertainment, lifestyle and social content to foster new connections and promote passion around the horse - heritage, power, elegance and emotion brought to life. Simon Fuller, the British-born Founder of XIX, said 'I am excited to be collaborating with Hong Kong and the Jockey Club to create something aspirational and positive. I believe there is an important opportunity to bring inspiring and joyful entertainment to Hong Kong and Horse Racing. This is an incredible city full of potential with so many stunning iconic locations to share with the world.' He added, 'my global pop group Now United being here in Hong Kong is the beginning of many more exciting announcements in the coming months, leading to celebrating the year of the horse.' Now United is XIX's multi-cultural global pop group, featuring young musical and dance talent from across the world. The collaboration with the Club will see a talent search in Hong Kong for the next member of the group. The finalist will receive masterclass training from top-class professionals at XIX Entertainment's Academy of Pop. There will also be a reality series and music videos filmed with Now United during their stay in Hong Kong, to be shared with their 40 million social media followers across multiple platforms around the world. Hong Kong audiences will also have the opportunity to enjoy Now United's live performances at the Club's racecourses and at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races in December 2025. The search for the next member of Now United in Hong Kong will begin with auditions for people aged 18 or above starting from today (12 May). For application details, please visit Photos can be downloaded from the website of The Hong Kong Jockey Club ( ). The Hong Kong Jockey Club Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2023/24, the Club returned a total of HK$40.1 billion to the community. This included HK$29.9 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$10.2 billion in approved charity donations. The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city's major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world's leading charity donors. Please visit Simon Fuller and XIX Entertainment Simon Fuller, producer, creator and entrepreneur, is the founder of XIX Entertainment. He has imagined and executed a number of game-changing entertainment properties, engaging audiences across the world and generating billion revenues in the process. His ideas and businesses have disrupted convention, defined the times and empowered artists to achieve their ambitions. He was the inspiration behind the Spice Girls, the creator of the American Idol global TV franchise, the partner of David and Victoria Beckham and the guidance behind sporting legends Andy Murray and Lewis Hamilton, extraordinary singers Annie Lennox and Amy Winehouse and other award-winning projects with entertainment icons Jennifer Lopez and Michael Caine. Today, his company XIX Entertainment is an ever-evolving force of creativity and innovation in music, tech, film, and fashion. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Daily Mirror
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Victoria Beckham 'snubbed' from Spice Girls reunion tour for very awkward reason
The Spice Girls are reportedly gearing up to celebrate their 30th anniversary of their debut single Wannabe next year – but Posh Spice star Victoria Beckham has reportedly been snubbed The Spice Girls are reportedly gearing up to reunite once again to mark the 30 anniversary of their debut single, Wannabe. However, it has been claimed one big star will be missing from the line-up. Victoria Beckham, who was known as Posh Spice in the band, last performed with the group for the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony, after pleas from her fellow bandmates. But, it has been reported that, this time around, they haven't invited her to join them for the reunion tour. It has been claimed the remaining foursome in the iconic 90s pop group, which comprises of Geri Horner, Emma Bunton, Melanie C and Mel B, are in talks to take to the stage again – but Victoria won't be joining for an awkward reason: the band's manager Simon Fuller, according to reports. It has been claimed that Victoria, 50, and her husband David, who turned 50 in style yesterday, fell out with the music mogul, 64, with relations said to be so dire that the Beckhams 'bought themselves out of their contracts' with his company XIX Entertainment in 2018. A source has claimed to the Daily Mail:"The Spice Girls working with Fuller means that there is absolutely no way that Victoria will be involved at all. "It feels rather bizarre that they would beg Victoria for years and years to join them and now they have him on board, they don't approach her. Maybe they thought there would be no point, as the Beckhams and Fuller no longer have a relationship, it's over." The source also claimed that the band "need a manager" but Simon's involvement "means there is zero chance that Victoria will be involved". They also stated that the other members of the band "know that too" so they "didn't even bother asking her now they are back with Fuller." David Beckham parted ways with Fuller in 2018 after a 15 year working relationship. David and Victoria spent £38million buying Fuller's 33 percent stake of David's businesses to give them total control over Beckham Brand Holdings. Sources claimed at the time that there had been "issues" between the pair with their friendship falling foul of them. Victoria then followed suit and parted ways with Fuller in August 2019. He still has shares in her fashion label but the once close relationship he shared with the Beckhams is no more. The Beckhams reportedly chose to go to Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande's manager Scooter Braun, 38, when their son Cruz wanted to become a pop star, snubbing Fuller despite his excellent track record. An insider explained: "They were all once so close, but various things happened between the Beckhams and Fuller. David and Victoria wanted out and Simon didn't exactly make it easy." They added: "They got there in the end and there has been no looking back. The Spice Girls will know this and have obviously taken their chances and gone with Simon. It's all very odd, because the other girls didn't ever think much of him either."
