From the return of cinema’s favourite spy to friends reuniting, an array of stories dominated entertainment news headlines this year. Below are some of the biggest.
James Bond
After several delays, the release of James Bond movie No Time To Die gave pandemic-hit cinemas a much needed boost. Studios shuffled schedules and in some cases films were released simultaneously in cinemas and on streaming platforms. New York’s Broadway and London’s West End reopened, albeit with Covid-19 safety measures in place. Live music also returned.
Grammys and Oscars
Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish took the top prizes at the Grammy Awards, while Beyoncé became the most awarded female artist in Grammy history, with 28 wins. The Oscars saw Nomadland scoop best picture and best director for Chinese-born Chloe Zhao, making her the first Asian woman and only the second woman to win the prize.
Golden Globes
US television network NBC dropped its broadcast of the 2022 Golden Globes after a backlash over the ethics of the HFPA group, which hands out the annual film and television awards, and its lack of diversity. The group says it’s made sweeping changes and will hold its ceremony in January.
Megxit
Now living in California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent shock waves when, in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the duchess accused Britain’s royal family of raising concerns about how dark the skin of the couple’s first child would be. She said the stress of life as a royal newlywed had pushed her to the brink of suicide.
Britney Spears
Pop star Britney Spears regained control of her personal life and money when a judge ended her father’s 13-year conservatorship after a long legal battle.
Halyna Hutchins
Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed when a gun held by actor Alec Baldwin fired off a live bullet on the set of western Rust. Baldwin said the revolver went off when he was cocking it. The incident is being investigated.
Travis Scott
Ten people died in a stampede at Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival in Houston, Texas. Lawsuits were filed against the rapper and promoters.
Television
The cast of Friends reunited for a tearful TV special and South Korean Netflix series Squid Game became a global sensation.
Music
Abba released its first album in 40 years, Adele stormed the charts with comeback record 30 and Taylor Swift released re-recorded albums to take back control of her early catalogue.
Off and on
Billionaire Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, now known as Ye, announced their divorce, while Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck rekindled their romance after nearly 20 years.
#MeToo
Criminal cases during the #MeToo era saw former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein extradited from New York to Los Angeles to face trial on rape and sexual assault charges, while singer R Kelly was convicted by a federal jury of sex trafficking.
Goodbyes
The world said goodbye to Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, actors Christopher Plummer, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Cicely Tyson, Helen McCrory and Olympia Dukakis, comedian Jackie Mason, rapper DMX, The Supremes co-founder Mary Wilson, TV interviewer Larry King, Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt, fashion designers Alber Elbaz and Virgil Abloh, and composers Stephen Sondheim and Mikis Theodorakis. Record producer Phil Spector died in prison.
— Reuters
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