The Bizarre 'Wicked' Press Tour

The promotional tour for “Wicked” took a bizarre turn that kept fans buzzing. In October, star Cynthia Erivo expressed her outrage over a fan-created poster that obscured her character's eyes, calling it “the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen.” But the strange saga didn’t stop there; a mix-up by Mattel sent Barbie dolls inspired by “Wicked” in boxes stamped with the URL of an adult website. This provoked a class-action lawsuit from a South Carolina resident, who deemed it their most objectionable experience ever. Meanwhile, as Erivo and co-star Ariana Grande addressed questions related to friendship and self-doubt, the press tour reached peak viral status when a journalist said, “people are taking the lyrics of ‘Defying Gravity’ and really holding space with that.” Erivo's response—a hand to her chest, expressing either genuine emotion or standout Oscar-worthy performance—was one for the ages. Grande’s quirky support, grabbing her co-star’s index finger, only added to the hilarity. It felt like something straight out of a Christopher Guest mockumentary!

Nicole Kidman and Other Veteran Stars Steal the Spotlight

Nicole Kidman has become a ubiquitous presence in cinemas everywhere, especially noticeable in AMC theaters due to her long-running “We Make Movies Better” advertisement. At 57, Kidman not only bagged the best actress award at the Venice Film Festival for her sultry role in “Babygirl”—where she portrays a CEO honing a risky relationship with a youthful intern—but also headlined Netflix's blockbuster, “Perfect Strangers.” Meanwhile, Demi Moore, at 62, garnered raving reviews for her role in “The Substance,” where she tackles the complexities of aging and beauty with a potent youth serum. The accolades didn’t stop there; Pamela Anderson, at 57, triumphed with a Gotham Award for her role in “The Last Showgirl.” Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, both 64, earned praise for their performances in “The Room Next Door,” which captivated audiences at Venice with an unprecedented 18-minute standing ovation. Along with standout performances from actresses like Amy Adams and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, the over-50 demographic is proving that age is just a number in Hollywood.

YouTube Hosts: The New Voices of News

In a shocking turn, many have turned away from traditional network news, opting instead for analyses from YouTube personalities. Channels like DJ Akademiks, Emily D. Baker, and Tisa Tells are overtaking mainstream broadcasts in popularity. A Pew Research study indicates that over half of U.S. adults are now gathering news from YouTube—especially women, who make up 57% of the viewership. Unlike mainstream newsrooms, these creators operate with minimal gear; often just a computer camera and ring light, they provide real-time commentary, dissecting boiling issues with refreshing candor. Tisa, for instance, delivers her daily reports with a lively “Heyyyy, what’s up, guys?” engaging her near half a million followers in everything from celebrity scandals to legal controversies, with no corporate filter.

Hollywood’s Financial Struggles: A Mixed Bag

2024 has been a rollercoaster for Hollywood as layoffs and production slumps continued to mar the industry. Even with significant reductions—like CAA cutting 20 agents and a 40% drop in film and TV production—there was no catastrophic collapse feared among box office analysts. Blockbusters such as “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” steadied the boat, and Thanksgiving brought in a record-breaking box office with films like “Moana 2” and “Gladiator II.” Streaming platforms also saw a shift towards profitability, with Disney+, Paramount+, and Max finally turning some profit. While the celebratory atmosphere is muted, signs of hope for recovery are surfacing.

When Celebrities Tried (and Failed) to Fix Global Issues

In an ironic twist, Hollywood’s elite attempted and often failed to make meaningful statements regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict. The backlash was swift and severe; actress Melissa Barrera lost her role in “Scream VII” for her socially charged post regarding the violence. Agents at major agencies like CAA were forced out or reprimanded for their public statements, reflecting the contentious nature of celebrity opinions on sensitive topics these days. Even celebrities who remained silent, like Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift, felt the online wrath, losing thousands of followers following a TikTok campaign urging fans to unfollow those who didn’t take a stand. While they quickly regained their followers, the incident revealed the tightrope celebrities now walk in our politically charged climate.

Conclusion

2024 was undoubtedly wild and weird, giving us moments in entertainment that will be hard to forget! What’s next for the stars of Hollywood as they navigate these tumultuous waters? Stay tuned!