A study shows that movies featuring actresses in starring roles make more than ones dominated by men. They looked at the 350 top-grossing U.S. movies that came out in the three years between 2014 and 2017, and 105 of them billed actresses FIRST in the credits. They found that female-led movies out-grossed male-led ones, on average, at all budget levels, whether they were made for peanuts or for $100 million or more. It also found that movies that passed the Bechdel test outperformed those that flunked it. But the Bechdel test is a low bar to clear these days . . . it measures if two female characters have a conversation about something other than a man.
On the “Today” show yesterday, Kathie Lee Gifford announced that she’s leaving in April, when she celebrates her 11th anniversary on the show. She said, “I’ve been here almost 11 years. Thought I’d stay one year . . . [but] something happened along the way, [I] fell in love with a beautiful Egyptian goddess, and now, when it’s our 11th anniversary I’m gonna be leaving.” She said she loved the people on the show, especially that “Egyptian goddess” Hoda Kotb. Kathie Lee cried throughout the announcement . . . and then Hoda struggled to get through her comments as she cried.
A lot of people are speculating it’ll be Jenna Bush Hager, who almost always fills in when Kathie Lee is out. She’s been with the “Today” show since 2009.
Former One Direction member Zayn has his sophomore album coming out on Friday, and he has released one more song before the release. It’s called “There You Are,” in it he sings about the one person in his life he can always rely on, in good times and in bad: “There you are/there you are/You’re there with open arms/There you are/There you are/And I run.”
Rumours are floating around that Ariana Grande has reunited with her ex-boyfriend Ricky Alvarez, who happens to be one of several men she mentions in the lyrics of “thank u, next.” The rumours started after Ariana exchanged teasing messages with Ricky over the song’s lyrics, writing, “I’m sorry you got the worst line it was meant v. lovingly,” and he responded, “Nothing but gratitude.” Then, she was spotted hanging out with Ricky in New York.
Then, on Monday, Ariana commented on an Instagram photo of Ricky that showed him wearing a mustard-coloured sweater, writing, “These colors are sick” – and fans went nuts.
When one fan commented, “WHATS ABOUT YOU AND ARIANA??? WE ALL WANT TO KNOW,” Ariana wrote, “we’re friends everyone take a big ol breather.”
Ed Sheeran’s 2017 hit “Shape of You” has officially become the first song to hit two billion streams on Spotify. Ed announced the news on Instagram, writing, “Thank you world.” “Shape of You” had previously been named the most-streamed song ever on Spotify in September 2017, when it hit more than 1.32 billion streams.
Meghan Markle has broken royal fashion protocol yet again! Meghan made a surprise appearance at the 2018 British Fashion Awards in London, and while many admired her stunning Givenchy gown, others were quick to note her dark nail polish. Evidently, dark nails are a no-go for royals. Also, she was featured in a boomerang on a photographers Instagram which is another no-no… so, what is she doing?! Is she flexing or what?!
Miley Cyrus has revealed that she’d love to collaborate with Britney Spears again. “We did a song on Bangerz called “SMS (Bangerz),” and it was one of the best experiences ever,” she gushed in a recent radio interview. “I would definitely do it again.” The 26-year-old singer added, “If you notice, I’m the first person that comments on every photo she posts. I’m her biggest fan!”
Miley Cyrus has revealed that her next album will sound more like her 2013 LP Bangerz than last year’s Younger Now. She says Younger Now was a little bit more country influenced, but she still really loves pop music and she loves stuff that can be played in the club, so that’s what she will produce.
Miley says her and Mark Ronson’s new song “Nothing Breaks Like A Heart” is “a nice introduction to the sound that we’ve got going on the next record.” I love that song so I am excited!
Charlie Sheen is sharing some exciting news: he has been sober for one year. Charlie shared an image of his sobriety medallion on social media, after famously battling addiction for years.
Michelle Obama has extended her book tour into 2019 as sales of her memoir Becoming top 3 million. Becoming, published four weeks ago, is one of the fastest-selling non-fiction books in history and already among the best-selling political memoirs of all time.