Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto is just one step closer now to realizing its own destiny as an epicenter of entertainment in the City. The $1 billion property which is projected to give Ontario over $500 million in economic benefit, just celebrated the grand opening of its 5,000-person capacity entertainment venue space. And they swung big, landing three-time Grammy winner Gwen Stefani last night and her partner, five-time Grammy winner Blake Shelton tonight for two back-to-back respective shows. Both shows sold-out completely.

Stefani delivered a phenomenal show, delivering massive hits over the span over her career as No Doubt frontwoman and solo artist, bringing the crowd to their feet. Her fantastic energy and vocal work were accentuated by the venue’s great acoustics.

The theatre is the latest to launch, adding to the resort’s Las Vegas-style casino with over 4,800 slot machines and 145 table games, 500 hotel rooms (over 200 of them facing world-famous Woodbine Racetrack) and a diverse variety of dining options ranging from casual to elegant, plus a Food Hall too for those looking for something quick.

Severable notables attended today’s official opening including Premier Doug Ford; Matthew Anfinson, CEO, Great Canadian Entertainment; Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario Minister of Finance; Duncan Hannay, President & CEO, OLG and more. The affair was hosted by Cheryl Hickey. Wushu Project performed a Lion Dance ceremony to ring in the festivities.

The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto team also made a generous donation of $50,000 to Haven on the Queensway, and a cheque was presented at the ceremony.

An exciting slate of performers will be gracing the theatre ahead. Click here for Great Canadian Entertainment listings.

Highlights:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Today, global superstar Gwen Stefani reunites with fellow music icon and frequent collaborator, Blake Shelton for the dynamic new single “Purple Irises.“ Introspective and nostalgic, the enduring anthem explores how time tests — and often strengthens — the bonds we share. “Purple Irises” was produced by award-winning producer Scott Hendricks and recorded in Nashville, TN at Smoakstack Studios. “Purple Irises” comes just days before Stefani brings her unique magic to Super Bowl weekend with a performance at the Super Bowl LVIII TikTok Tailgate before the big matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas.  Shelton will join Stefani at Super Bowl LVIII TikTok Tailgate for a debut performance of “Purple Irises.”

“Purple Irises” is available now at all digital retailers. Listen HERE.

“Purple Irises is a song that comes from the idea that when you plant something you are planting hope and watching love grow,” says Stefani. “Weathering all the different seasons of growth. We are in this together, we planted the seeds together and we are growing together.”

Stefani’s iconic catalog is filled with insight and vulnerability, but she raises the bar here by capturing time-tested love with unfiltered affection and raw honesty. It doesn’t hurt that she has palpable creative chemistry with real-life partner Shelton. They have previously shared the mic on the platinum hits “Nobody But You” and “Happy Anywhere,” both of which topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

“We love this song so much,” said Shelton. “It’s a song Gwen wrote with a couple of friends of hers, and I fell in love with it the first time I heard it. She knew there was something different about it and asked me to come in and sing with her. My longtime producer, Scott Hendricks, produced it, and Gwen’s been wanting to work with him for a long time now, and it’s turned into this really cool and different song that can live anywhere.”

Throughout her career, Stefani’s versatility — as showcased on recent offerings such as 2023’s “True Babe” and the Saweetie-featured “Slow Clap” — has been a large part of her staying power and perennial appeal. Those songs followed “Let Me Reintroduce Myself,” which reached No. 1 on the iTunes chart.

A three-time GRAMMY® Award winner, Stefani has achieved global success as a performer, songwriter, and frontwoman of No Doubt, and a multi-platinum solo artist, among other accomplishments. To date, she’s sold more than 60 million units worldwide. Her 2015 solo album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. She also previously spent seven seasons as a coach on the Emmy®-winning NBC series The Voice.

THIS IS HANDS DOWN THE BEST THING I’VE EVER SEEN!!! What starts off already as an amazing edition of Carpool Karaoke with James Corden and Gwen Stefani spirals into an epic explosion of starpower! What a brilliant solution to HOV lanes!!

Watch:

(Photo/video credit: CBS)

It literally has been 10 years since the world’s seen an album from music and fashion icon Gwen Stefani. We all grew-up with Gwen. When we first heard her front No Doubt, we were mesmerized by Don’t Speak. Her distinctive voice, her unmistakable presence and her groundbreaking style have come to define her and will continue to define her.

Third solo disc THIS IS HOW THE TRUTH FEELS is due to hit stores in March 2016 via Universal Music Canada. We want to give Readers across Canada a chance to own a copy of the Disc!

Check out the Tracklist:

1. “Misery”
2. “You’re My Favorite”
3. “Where Would I Be”
4. “Make Me Like You”
5. “Truth”
6. “Used to Love You”
7. “Send Me a Picture”
8. “Red Flag”
9. “Asking for It”
10. “Naughty”
11. “Me Without You”
12. “Rare”

Official Artwork:

To enter to win a copy, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook. Stefani has had an amazing repertoire. Name for us your favourite song. You may click “share” from there for an extra chance!

G’luck, Willionaire$!

Universal Music Canada release THIS IS HOW THE TRUTH FEELS in standard and deluxe editions Friday, March 18, 2016.

If you haven’t seen Stefani‘s new first-ever Live Music Video for Single MAKE ME LIKE YOU, then you must. Click here to see it!

Pre-order now on iTunes.

Meeting Gwen Stefani back in 2016:

What I really need is for this #GwenStefani Comeback finally to be happening. So happy meeting her at #MuchMusic and getting her to sign my Deluxe Edition of #LoveAngelMusicBaby. Wish I asked her for a Selfie back then!

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 3, 2015 at 7:19am PST

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music Canada/Mr. Will Wong)

Gwen’s back!  After multiple delays, one of our fave platinum blonde is ready to release her new Disc WHAT THE TRUTH FEELS LIKE, kicking it off with an album listening session here in Toronto over NBA Allstar Weekend!

She debuted her first-ever Live Music Video, sponsored by Target for new single MAKE ME LIKE YOU during the Grammys last night.  Did you see it?

One of her more catchy tunes, we’re getting a bit of Lovefool mixed with a little Viva La Vida. Do you hear it? Did you know this was all dedicated to her muse, Blake Shelton?

See the Video:

Universal Music Canada release WHAT THE TRUTH FEELS LIKE on Friday, March 18, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music Canada)

NBA All-Star Weekend has taken over Toronto for the first time ever. Kicking-off the festivities tonight at Ricoh Coliseum on CNE grounds was the much-buzzed Canada vs U.S. Mountain Dew 2016 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, headed by captains Drake and Kevin Hart respectively. Drake tonight was given the honours of holding the key to the City based on his outstanding contributions locally.

Team Canada alas would prevail under Drake‘s guidance with a score of 74-64 with Win Butler and Tracy McGrady leading the pack.

Spotted in the audience tonight were some huge names like Vin Diesel, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and more. The three were on the set of XXX: The Return of Xander Cage filming at the penthouse of one of the City’s most historic hotels.  Wrapping just before 7, they head-on over quickly to Ricoh Coliseum, making it in time despite Fans waiting in the cold for them. It is said during halftime show, Diesel stopped to pose for Selfies with several Fans who clamoured for him, soaking-up all the adoration.

Selfie with Dom aka. Vin Diesel 😀 #vindiesel #selfie #NBAAllStatTo #fastandfurious #fast7 #toronto #celebrityallstar

A photo posted by Sebastian H N (@lifebyshn) on Feb 12, 2016 at 6:07pm PST

Olivia Wilde also was seen cheering Jason Sudeikis who is here promoting Jesse Owens Biopic RACE, alongside Co-Star Stephan James who played for Team Canada.

Rapper Snoop Dogg also is in-town too, leaving a trail of heartbreak this morning after no-showing at appearances on Breakfast Television and The Morning Show after a night of partying Thursday!

Meanwhile not far from the Celebrity Game, Gwen Stefani and Usher would headline an Afterparty at a specially-constructed for the occasion True North Lounge sponsored by Bell. Stefani quietly head to the venue around 9 with bodyguard picking her up from the underground of her Hotel and a trunk full of luggage. She is to appear in the first ever Live Music Video to be filmed Grammys night for her single Make Me Like You, dedicated to boyfriend and The Voice Co-Star Blake Shelton. Earlier in the day she had an Album Listening Party for upcoming Disc, This Is What the Truth Feels Like.

Gwen Stefani just killed it! #lescapeworldwide #gwenstefani #nbaallstarweekend #allstartoronto2016 #allstarweekend2016 #truenorth #toronto #yyz

A photo posted by Jasprit Kaul (@jkkaul) on Feb 12, 2016 at 8:54pm PST

I’ve been a fan of hers for over 20 years and today I had the pleasure of hanging with @gwenstefani as she played us some tracks off her new album #ThisIsWhatTheTruthFeelsLike. She was so candid. So raw. So passionate. So inspiring. Thank you @universalmusicc for this experience. #LoveHer #Truth #MakeMeLikeYou #GwenStefani #NoDoubt 🙌🏻

A photo posted by Lisa Grossi (@lisa_grossi) on Feb 12, 2016 at 7:45pm PST

Other parties taking place in the City tonight included Kevin Hart‘s bash at Roy Thomson Hall, Shaquille O’Neal and Snoop Dogg are expected at Muzik Nighclub and also Amber Rose and Blac Chyna at Stadium Nightclub.

See our Snaps with NBA Megastar Chris Paul and man of the hour Kevin Hart!

With Funnyman and Captain of Team USA at the #DewCelebGame, #KevinHart! Love this dude! #allstargame #allstarweekend #AllstarweekendTO #NBAAllstarTO #NBAAllstar

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 12, 2016 at 8:44pm PST

With top #NBA star #ChrisPaul, in #The6ix for #NBAALLSTAR! #Toronto #NBAAllstarTO. #LAClippers #LosAngelesClippers

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 12, 2016 at 8:38pm PST

The main event, the All-Star Game takes place Sunday night at Air Canada Centre, 7 PM. Watch on TSN.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

“I don’t know why I cry, but I think it’s I ’cause I remembered for the first time that since I hated you, that I used to love you”.

These are lyrics I think we all can relate to. That sobering moment where you realize at one point you were happily in love with someone you’re no longer with.

Although there’s been a couple false starts (remember Baby Don’t Lie???), Gwen Stefani releases this new track in a clip directed by longtime collaborator Sophie Muller. Stefani reflects on lost love rather candidly and honestly here and we like it. But then again, we loved the last few comeback tracks… The Track was unveiled last weekend at an intimate show in NYC.

See the Video:

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music Canada)

So about that Gwen Stefani Comeback, which seems to be taking forever…  The Fashion and Pop Music Icon appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, looking amazing and doing a Medley of some of her Greatest Hits!  She’s definitely still got it. We just need to hear some new Music already!

Watch the energetic Medley:

Stefani plays her first Live Solo Show this weekend in over six years in L.A. Her new Album is out later this year!

(Photo/video credit: NBC)

At long last. We thought we’d never hear new Solo Music from Gwen Stefani! We love No Doubt, but we adore and cannot live without Gwen Stefani as a Solo Act! Her first Solo Single in over eight years does not disappoint and at long last we have a proper clean, crisp Audio + Video for new Single BABY DON’T LIE from her upcoming new Studio Disc due in stores later this year. The Track is co-produced and co-written by Benny Blanco, Ryan Tedder and Noel Zancanella and everything we hoped for. Fresh, synthy, edgy and full of fervor.  Longtime Collaborator Sophie Muller directs the festive and colourful romp!

See the Video below:

BABY DON’T LIE is now available on iTunes.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)

So you might’ve heard I was in New York City this past week enjoying the Met Gala (see the Photos!) and it was an amazing thrill seeing the Fashions and the Celebrity in-person after admiring them online for many years now.  Red Carpets and flashing Cameras are something I vow to never get sick of!   Promise.  Hoping to visit again next Spring!

Although I did get to meet Met Gala Host Rooney Mara in-person and she was lovely to stop and say “hi” and blow me a kiss, unfortunately she didn’t do the Photo but I still will have the memory!  One day I’ll have my Gwen Stefani and Anne Hathaway moment!  I did get Photos with Jennifer Morrison (Once Upon a Time) and Tommy Hilfigger but unfortunately they just didn’t turn out:(

Fortunately, most of the Celebrities I met were more than obliging and here are some of the Stars I got to get  Snap with below. And yes, that is KYLIE MINOGUE!!!!  She is just as lovely as I’d dreamed!  Ditto for Kelly Ripa!!  Armie Hammer too!! And I don’t believe Zooey Deschanel said “yes”!  She never does!!

See it all:

(Photo video credit: Mr. Will Wong)