My question is why isn’t this out on Valentine’s Day? This would’ve been perfect right now! Better later than never, check-out the new Trailer for LOVE AGAIN, centering around the hits and new music from Celine Dion. Priyanka Chopra and Sam Heughan star in this Mother’s Day release. Dion also appears in the Film as herself!

What if love was only a text away?💕📱

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)

You know how much we love Celine, but what about Aline? Based loosely on the life of Céline Dion, Valérie Lemercier‘s ALINE screens out of competition at Cannes.

In Canada, Maison 4:3 will be releasing ALINE in theatres November 26, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Maison 4:3)

If there was ever a year that contained highs and lows for me, 2019 was that year. My heart was broken losing my best friend and companion Billy in March. Since then there have been good days and bad days. I try to keep myself occupied always as it keeps my mind off things and I’ve decided this was the way I would cope. The Holidays this year will be extra tough and while I appreciate people quick to comment, “Just get another dog, you have so much love to give”, it really isn’t that easy. I am touched by the donations on Billy‘s behalf, the flowers we received, the thoughtful tokens and sentiments. Those helped.

I am in a different place than I was 16 years ago when I first got Billy. Life is much more hectic for me now and I didn’t have to be there as much for my parents as I do now. So to those who are concerned, the day will come when I will open my heart again to the possibility of pet parenting, but it isn’t just yet.

On that note, I also feel that we really don’t do enough to support people mourning pet loss. At work, employees get Bereavement Leave when they lose an immediate human family member and can get accommodations for mental wellness if deemed supported by the employer. But when it comes to a pet whom we love just as deeply and experience just as much pain when they’re gone, there are no formal regulated measures in place. In fact, with that being said, it is easy to feel embarrassed and ashamed for grieving a pet because it is so institutionalized that losing human lives is so much more important than losing an animal life. Pets are dependents and provide affection, support and routine in one’s life. When a pet ails, the heart aches just as much as it does as when a family member or a friend is ill. And when a pet goes, the disruption in one’s flow is dramatic. Just think about that for a sec.

The year while marred by some sadness, contained several happy moments that I will never forget. In addition to celebrating our tenth anniversary as a Blog, we met more heroes than we could’ve dreamed, saw great Films, enjoyed some great Music.  These are things that no amount of unhappiness could erase. Thank you to our Readers and Team Mr. Will – Dave, Jonathan, Justin, George, Amanda and Siobhán for all your continued loyalty and all you give so generously.

I always look forward to sharing with you my favourites of the year, and here are my Best-Of 2019.

Marriage Story
Knives Out
Uncut Gems
Hustlers
Rocketman
Joker
Bombshell
Jojo Rabbit
Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood
Little Women

Juice – Lizzo
Cruel Summer – Taylor Swift
Old Town Road (Diplo Remix) – Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus
Lover – Taylor Swift
Someone You Loved – Lewis Capaldi
Good as Hell – Lizzo
Sweet But Psycho – Ava Max
Hey Look Ma, I Made It – Panic! at the Disco
Dancing with a Stranger – Sam Smith ft. Normani
7 Rings – Ariana Grande

TORONTO RAPTORS
I’ll admit it, I know little about Basketball but for that one moment in time that night in June, every Torontonian was a die-hard fan! 2019 was Toronto’s year and no one can ever take that away from us. The City has never been more united and I’m so happy despite it being gruelingly-hot, I was able to skip away from work thanks to my boss, and take-in the 2019 Toronto Raptors Championship Parade. You never forget a moment like that. Eight hours under the scorching sun on University Avenue.  Screaming children who didn’t want to be there. People budding ahead of you. But the moment the Raptors came through, none of that mattered.

One unassuming night waiting on a friend arriving on an L.A. flight, I’d cross paths with basically all them Raptors. All of them came passing through the terminal returning back from their exhibition games in Tokyo. I couldn’t believe my eyes! It was like being in one of those rooms with the dollar bills spiraling in the wind around you on a game show. Slam Dunk!🏀

CÉLINE DION
Céline not only is a national treasure, she is an Artist I’ve loved for many, many years. While power ballads haven’t always remained in-vogue, her Music has stood the test of time. My Heart Will Go On helped me cope with losing Billy and I like to think of meeting Céline as Billy‘s gift to me from beyond. Seeing her on her Courage World Tour finally for the first time, my heart wept. Only she can make me laugh hysterically and bring a tear to my eye in the span of four minutes. Such a blessing getting to meet my Heroine (the only one I didn’t have a photo-with yet other than Mariah!), even if I waited till 2 AM for it to happen on a frigid night in Toronto! I felt like death shortly after, but I’m alive! See what I did there?

RENÉE ZELLWEGER
Bridget Jones’s Diary is the reason I got inspired to Blog. She defined an era in my life as did Renée Zellweger. Seeing her at TIFF ’19 for JUDY was a bright spot in my life and getting to chat with her gorgeousness is something I will never forget. At the risk of being one of those annoying people who see like one movie a year and cry “Oscar!”, I actually mean it and you better be ready for a complete domination this Awards Season. Internet trolls, let’s see who gets the last laugh now!

J-LO
Who wasn’t obsessed with Jennifer Lopez in the early 2000s? Everyone calls Auld Lang Syne their New Year’s song, but sorry! Waiting for Tonight is all about 12/31 to me and always will be! Lorene Scafaria‘s HUSTLERS is the bomb and anyone who thinks otherwise sucks. It is about women taking back what’s theirs, owning-up to their mistakes and surviving to tell us about the juicy details. If that’s not empowerment, please step aside, I don’t need your negative energy! J-Lo and Constance Wu killed it.

Will never forget meeting J-Lo after hearing her and her Castmates speak at a Panel about the female voice, in support of the Film. Buy and download HUSTLERS now.

CONSTANCE WU
It’s okay sister, I got you! I’m not going to go on about how much Constance owned my 2018 with CRAZY RICH ASIANS because that’s so 2018, but meeting her and J-Lo after blessing us with that beautiful performance in HUSTLERS? I was a dummy for not stocking-up on Lotto 6/49 tickets that night!

LIZZO

This time last year I would’ve been, “Who-zzo?!?”. LIZZO slayed my 2019 with her excellence and one-by-one I saw the world become believers. I discovered her Music seeing her performance at Coachella on YouTube and became obsessed. I paid top-dollar for a ticket to her Danforth Music Hall Show which was long sold-out, grabbed that Meet & Greet lanyard and have never booked back. That was money well-spent seeing her twerk all up my face front row 🍑 and collectively with the sold-out crowd, be moved to tears by her inspiring words. I still don’t know how Truth Hurts became a #1 hit before Juice, but okay! CUZ I LUV YOU is essential listening. You. will. not. regret. buying. this. Album.

TOM HANKS
Never mind that I look like I’m losing control of my bladder in this pic and mysterious age lines that came from nowhere. This man of grace and legendary stature was kind enough to acknowledge me and that is enough. “I’m not going to pose for your Selfie, but I will walk by verrryyyy slowly.”. These are words spoken by Tom to me which I will repeat over and over in my head like a mantra till I die.

STEVEN SPIELBERG
Oh how nice, you got a Selfie with Kendall Jenner. Who cares!? This is the Selfie any self-respecting human being wants. LEGEND. ICON. KING MASTERMIND. Yes, I know, blurry as sh*t. Not even Remini could save this, but I got it. That was a night in New York at the Saturday Night Live Afterparty I’ll never forget!

SCARLETT JOHANSSON
We’ve all criticized some of Scarlett‘s choice of roles. 2019 was the year I’ve decided that Scarlett should be absolved of all casting sins as she more than redeemed herself with a mesmerizing performance in Noah Baumbach‘s MARRIAGE STORY, my personal fave of 2019. I am still traumatized from that fight scene with Adam Driver. I don’t care what Critics say about that part ruining the Movie – it was perfect, it was passion, it was ACTING! And if it weren’t for damn Renée and her brilliance, it would be the Year of Scarlett. She also is a delight in JOJO RABBIT. See both. Scarlett is notoriously-tough on Selfies, but she was amazing to give me a smile and a wave at the New York Film Festival Premiere of MARRIAGE STORY. Close enough!

MERYL STREEP
Okay, this really is pushing it as it doesn’t really count as a Selfie so much as it is her looking the same direction as me, but I’ll take it. but being in Meryl Streep‘s presence at her Premiere for THE LAUNDROMAT was an uplifting experience. We’ve waited so long for her to come to TIFF after having cancelled her last appearance in 2013 for AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY and it finally happened. What a goddess!

DANNY DEVITO
So humbled we got a bit of face time with screen veteran Danny Devito back in March in support of Disney’s DUMBO. I’ve never had a more giving, gracious interviewee. He was personable, gave us rich and thoughtful responses. So happy our Dave Baldwin and I could share that together!

RON HOWARD
Totally dating myself, but I spent a lot of my school breaks being entertained on TV by Ron Howard, whether it be The Andy Griffith Show or Happy Days reruns. Okay, sure he’s directed Masterpieces like A BEAUTIFUL MIND, CINDERELLA MAN, SPLASH, APOLLO 13 and FROST/NIXON but in my heart he’ll always be Richie Cunningham and Opie!

RAMI MALEK
Okay, enough time has passed where I can admit that I just didn’t love BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY. For one, it irks me how key things in Freddie Mercury‘s life like his sexuality were muted, when that was actually a big part of his life and persona. That being said, none can be detracted from Rami‘s flawless Oscar-winning performance. This Snap was taken at Chateau Marmont just one night before he took the gold. Don’t let others fool you, it gets cold in L.A. at night!

KRISTEN STEWART
OMG. I almost died when she said “yes” to the Selfie. I have been obsessed with K-Stew forever. Let me make it clear, I never fully got TWILIGHT, but it is her body of work including PERSONAL SHOPPER, CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA, PANIC ROOM, ON THE ROAD, THE RUNAWAYS and even more recently CHARLIE’S ANGELS, that I love. I’m sure many have wanted her to disappear but she’s not going nowhere, babe! She just keeps churning-out some outstanding work.

GLENN CLOSE
I could’ve swore it was Glenn‘s year at the Oscars. So lovely meeting this brilliant Thespian receiving her final award of last Awards Season for THE WIFE and the Independent Spirit Awards. Her adorable Havanese baby Pip was with her to receive the honour!

PAUL RUDD
I have loved Paul Rudd for years now and knowing he never comes to Toronto, New York Comic Con was that rare chance finally to see him! Love that he’s looking like himself and he’s every bit as friendly as you’d think! But then again, this was a paid Photo Op…

VICTORIA BECKHAM
I am one of those people who freaks out every time there is a Spice Girls reunion rumour circulating on Twitter and then go frowny-faced when I realize it’s only “the four of them”. Victoria was in Toronto doing good for Camp Oochigeas and giving her beauty line a plug. It was beyond cold, but so goddamn worth it. Is that a smile I see? 😊 That’s the magic of Mr. Will!

EDDIE MURPHY
Umm. So I won’t repeat what Victoria thinks about Eddie Murphy (Google it), but this does not erase how I feel about him as an Entertainer. Thrilled to see Eddie make his resurgence with DOLEMITE IS MY NAME and a triumphant return to the stage on Saturday Night Live this Holiday season.  He delivered me many age-inappropriate thrills in my younger days with BEVERLY HILLS COP, COMING TO AMERICA and BOOMERANG. But it was DREAMGIRLS that made me truly appreciate his artistry.

TIFFANY x DEBBIE GIBSON
Seriously, ten-year-old me is still freaking-out.  Former Teen Pop Idol rivals Tiffany and Debbie Gibson rocked my world as a kid. To see them join forces in this Photo Op as part of NKOTB‘s Mixtape Tour, was epic!  Who’d ever have known just a few months later I’d get invited to introduced Tiffany on-stage at her show at Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts? I’m so busy running through life sometimes that I forget to appreciate things like this.

BOWEN YANG
This Funnyman came out of nowhere to steal the show. Bowen is the best thing to happen to Saturday Night Live in quite some time! Better yet, he has the distinction of being the first American-Asian Cast member in the star-making Program! Cheers to diversity!

BRENDON URIE
Our airwaves continue to be dominated by PANIC! AT THE DISCO and we are so stoked we got this Snap with the Band’s Frontman Brendon Urie in New York this October! It was a complete surprise! It wasn’t easy but he posed and made sure I got it. If you haven’t heard their contribution to the FROZEN 2 Soundtrack, INTO THE UNKNOWN, you must. Mind-blowingly-powerful vocals from Urie!

KRISTEN BELL
And while we’re on the topic of FROZEN 2, we were so delighted Toronto got its own Fan Event for the Film in November! We deserved it! On Cloud Nine we got to chat with star Kristen Bell, nabbing a signature Team Mr. Will Selfie with Anna herself!

JA RULE
It’s okay, Ja! We know Fyre Festival wasn’t your fault. You’re forgiven. The things we’ve all done for a bit of cash 🙄… doo-doo-doo… Don’t look at me like you’ve never “taken one for the team”! That’s right, move along now!

STING
So yeah, it’s super-awkward when you’re at the office pouring some water into your bottle and someone’s like “Oh! I saw on BlogTO you met Sting!“. Well, thank you Toronto for thinking my Selfies are culturally-relevant. You’re welcome!

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
2019 was low-key The Boss‘ year. He had his Western Stars album and Documentary arrive and also BLINDED BY THE LIGHT was a love letter to his amazingness. Although I loved him as a kid, this was a year I was reminded once again to appreciate his amazing catalog of Music. Born to Run, Born in the USA, Dancing in the Dark, Lonely Hearts, Glory Days. Timeless. Seeing him at TIFF ’19 was great and he was so amazing going down the line, leaning-in for pictures and waves. So happy I had the video rolling and caught this!

Mr. Will x Billy Forever

She needs no introduction, our national treasure, Céline Dion! I am still over-the-moon about this! Dion brings her Courage World Tour to Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena for two nights and the reviews are praising her being at the top of her game! Her first time back in a LONG time.

We have been blessed by Dion‘s endless catalog of hits. Because You Loved Me, The Power of Love, I’m Your Angel, Where Does My Heart Beat Now, It’s All Coming Back to Me Now and of course My Heart Will Go On. These timeless classics are a statement of an era expressed by a voice so powerful it reached hearts internationally, and so delicate it understood the pain and beauty of love that only one can know on a personal level.

We spotted Dion, who looked absolutely stunning in red late last night following her show and a dinner. She is every bit the person I always imagined and have always admired, stopping for posed photos and signing memorabilia for fans with the help of her amazing Security who accompanied her in a three-car fleet. You never forget a voice like Céline Dion‘s and I will never forget this and the tough times and memories she has helped me through. ♥️

Tonight will be my first time seeing Dion live finally after dreaming of seeing her in Vegas at her residency for many years. I am beyond thrilled!

See our Snaps:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Queen Céline. Still trying to process this. Thanks Tati for snapping. #CelineDion #CourageWorldTour

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Dec 10, 2019 at 4:20am PST

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View this post on Instagram

 

Overjoyed I finally got to see #CelineDion live on her #CourageTour! I am overcome with emotion still. Céline has that rare ability to move me to tears with the sheer power of her voice and raw vulnerability she conveys. Yet also, she has this magnetic humour that reminds us that she gets the last laugh always. Completely, utterly spellbound. Don’t think I bawled ever this much at a concert. Thank you, @habeegirl for a birthday gift I will never forget. So happy we got to experience this together. ♥️

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Dec 10, 2019 at 10:04pm PST

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Sony Music Entertainment)

It’s been too long since we’ve heard from our national treasure Céline Dion and she’s back with ASHES from the Soundtrack to DEADPOOL 2!

Check out the Video for Ashes:

Get the Soundtrack here.

20th Century Fox Canada release DEADPOOL 2 Friday, May 18, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music Entertainment)

Hot off its record-smashing success, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST now will be available as a sing-along in theatres across Canada!  Warm up those voices! Do those scales! Are you ready to sing along to classics like “Belle,” “Be Our Guest,” “Gaston” and “Beauty and the Beast”, plus new additions “How Does a Moment Last Forever” and “Evermore”?

Here’s just a taste:

Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along will be available in  Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Halifax, Regina, Saskatoon, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Barrie, Kingston and Peterborough beginning Friday, April 7, 2017. Check your local listings!

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

Everyone loves Céline Dion! With great excitement we finally get to hear her brand new material at last from her first English-language Disc since 2007’s Taking Chances.  Penned by Sia Furler, Loved Me Back to Life is a big, sweeping Track which perfectly captures the essence what the Quebec-born Diva is all about.  Drama, Power and pure Emotion. Oh how we’ve missed that remarkable Voice!

Melodically it reminds us of Whitney Houston‘s I’m Your Baby Tonight no?  Especially in the Hook?

Dion will perform Loved Me Back to Life on Jimmy Kimmel Live!  on Friday, September 6, 2013 and also on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Wednesday, September 11, 2013.

Listen to the Track in full below:

Official Artwork below:

Sony Music Canada releases Loved Me Back to Life, the Album on Tuesday, November 5, 2013. Pre-order here.

Download Loved Me Back to Life, the Single on iTunes now here.

(Photo credit: Sony Music)

With just two months till the 2013 JUNO Awards, this year’s Nominees were announced today and dominating this year is Carly Rae Jepsen, who has made a big splash internationally with her Hit Call Me Maybe.   Jepsen is in the running to win: JUNO Fan Choice, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Pop Album of the Year.

Although he was responsible for helping her Call Me Maybe become a major Hit virally, Justin Bieber was no match for Jepsen, but certainly not disgraced. He’s up for four JUNOs this year including: Album of the Year, JUNO Fan Choice, Artist of the Yearand Pop Album of the Year.

Up for International Album of the Year this year are Mumford & Sons (Babel), Rod Stewart (Merry Christmas, Baby), Taylor Swift (Red), One Direction (Up All Night) and Maroon 5 (Overexposed), the latter coincidentally in Toronto today on-tour.

In addition to Canada’s Cream of the Crop in Music being at Regina’s Brandt Centre on JUNO Day, Megastar Michael Bublé will be performing a brand new Single that day.  Fans have been hungry for non-Christmas Music from the Crooner since his Crazy Love was released in 2009.

Complete list of Nominees click here.

Also, Sony Music Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada are teaming together to release a Compilation Disc containing this year’s Nominees, titled The JUNO Awards 2013 Nominee Compilation, in-stores March 19, 2013.  Proceeds will go to MusiCounts, Canada’s Music Education Charity.

Tracklisting below:

1.       Carly Rae Jepsen                                 Call Me Maybe

2.       Justin Bieber                                         Boyfriend

3.       Hedley                                                   Kiss You Inside Out

4.       Marianas Trench                                 Desperate Measures

5.       Metric                                                    Breathing Underwater

6.       Billy Talent                                           Surprise Surprise

7.       The Sheepdogs                                     Feeling Good

8.       Victoria Duffield                                  Shut Up and Dance

9.       Deadmau5                                            The Veldt ft. Chris James

10.    Johnny Reid                                         Dedicated to You

11.    Serena Ryder                                        Stompa

12.    Big Wreck                                             Albatross

13.    Rush                                                       Headlong Flight

14.    Leonard Cohen                                    Darkness

15.    Celine Dion                                           Parler à Mon Père 

16.    Walk Off the Earth                             Somebody That I Used to Know

17.    Hey Ocean!                                          Big Blue Wave

The 2013 JUNO Awards air Sunday, April 21, 2013 on CTV.

(Photo credit: JUNOAwards.ca)

You won’t believe your ears!  Céline Dion took part in CCTV‘s annual Chinese New Year Gala, which aired earlier today (tomorrow overseas).  The Canadian Diva paired with Chinese Singer Zuying Song for a Duet on  Jasmine Flower, where Dion‘s gratuitous  riffs and runs were heard on the traditional Classic.  To be honest, her pronunciation was actually pretty impressive!  And that Ladies and Gentlemen, is why she truly is an international Megastar.

Watch the Performance in full below:

And of course, no Céline Dion performance is complete without a rendition of her biggest Hit, My Heart Will Go On:

Dion‘ s next English Studio Album Water and a Flame, is slated for a release Fall 2013 via Sony Music and will be a part-Covers Album, with some new Songs.  It has been confirmed that a Duet with Stevie Wonder on his Classic Overjoyed will be included,  while Babyface and Ne-Yo also have signed-on to produce Tracks.  On-board again is iconic Ballad Writer Diane Warren who penned a Tune for her called Unfinished Songs.

Chinese New Year is on Sunday.  Have you read your Year of the Snake Forecast yet?

(Photo/video credit: CCTV)