The face of R&B is changing completely and at the forefront of the Movement of Singing/Songwriting Sensation Miguel. Don’t call him an instant success though as the 27-year-old has long been at his Craft and after a false start back in 2010 under Jive Records, he now is tasting sweet success with current label RCA Records (Sony Music). Earlier this year Miguel‘s Adorn was awarded Best R&B Song at The GRAMMYs, also receiving a nomination in the prestigious Song of the Year Category.

After arriving in Toronto yesterday, the Crooner whose Music can best be described as Rock/Electronica-infused R&B, is spending a day to promote his latest Disc, Kaleidoscope Dream.  He might even have had some fun with the Rabbit-Dog Sculptures outside of Metro Hall! Among his appearances today were an early morning visit to CityTV’s Breakfast Television arriving before 7:00 AM for Soundcheck, where Staff including Host Dina Pugliese were mesmerized by his smoldering, smooth Vocals and limitless upper-Range. Miguel performed a two-song Acoustic Set which included Adorn and The Thrill interspersed throughout the Show, which be watched right here.

Following his Appearance, Miguel was extremely gracious, generously stopping for Photos and Autographs with Fans in heavy winds, with his Handler assisting kindly.

Watch Miguel with Fans below:

In the meantime, let’s get to know some of Miguel‘s amazing Work below:

Adorn

The Sightings are pouring in for That ’70s Show Star Topher Grace, which has many of us asking – just what is the Eric Forman doing in Toronto?  Spotted at a Moroco Chocolat grabbing Dinner, Subway last week grabbing a Sandwich and at an exclusive GC Timepieces Party, the Camera-shy Actor turned quite a few surprised heads last week.

Grace is in-town till mid-April filming Thriller The Calling from Director Jason Stone.  The Film which has him starring alongside Susan Sarandon, centers around a Detective named Hazel Micallef who works in a quiet town which gets awakened by a string of gruesome murders.  It also is based on the Novel by Inger Ash Wolfe and re-teams Sarandon and Grace together once again. Their Rom-Com The Big Wedding hits theatres on April 26, 2013 via eOne Films.  Filming for The Calling is set to take place in Pickering this week.

Want to approach him for a Photo?  Think twice.  Eager Fans asked him repeatedly for a Photo last week, but unfortunately were denied.  Grace likes his Privacy.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Boys rule the Box Office this Easter Weekend with G.I. Joe: Retaliation debuting big with a stellar $40.8 million across North America, from 3,719 theatres.  Critics panned the $135-million Blockbuster from Paramount Pictures, but Audiences reacted well with an A- CinemaScore.   This latest Installment in the Franchise stars Bruce Willis, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Channing Tatum and Adrianne Palicki.

In second this weekend is last week’s Champ The Croods from 20th Century Fox with $26.6 million in its second week of release.  The Animated Feature takes advantage of the lack of Family-oriented Flicks out this weekend. To-date it has grossed an impressive $88.8 million in North America.

Tyler Perry’s Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor debuts in third this weekend from 2,047 theatres – yet another successful release from the Actor/Writer/Director/Producer and overall Magnate.  Earning $22.5 million, the Drama-Thriller stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Lance Gross, Kim Kardashian, Brandy Norwood and Vanessa Williams; it does not star Perry in male nor female form.  Critics didn’t love the Film, earning 17% at Rotten Tomatoes.

Olympus Has Fallen slips to fourth in its second week of release with $14.1 million after a solid debut last week in second spot, just ahead of former Champ Oz the Great and Powerful from Disney with $11.7 million in fifth.

The Host unfortunately didn’t translate to big numbers despite it being an Adaptation of beloved Twilight Author Stephanie Meyer‘s Novel of the same name. Reviews were outright vicious, tallying-in at 12% on Rotten Tomatoes. It debuts in sixth with $11 million for Open Road Films/eOne Films.

Well-reviewed Spring Breakers by Director/Writer Harmony Korine lands in ninth with its expansion to 1,379 theatres with $2.5 million.  To date it has earned $10 million and despite strong limited release numbers, this didn’t translate as strongly with its expansion.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone in its third week of release, rounds out the Top Ten with $1.2 million.

One of Television’s favourite real-life Couples came back to Toronto to deliver a bit of Easter Cheer.  Toronto Native Nina Dobrev, Star of The CW‘s hit Series The Vampire Diaries arrived in Toronto with her Partner/Co-Star Ian Somerhalder on Good Friday, and in addition to visiting her Family, they also visited one special Fan at SickKids Hospital earlier today.

Cambridge Teen Kayla Baker recently was admitted to Intensive Care at the Toronto Hospital, still currently awaiting a double Lung Transplant.  Her Idols Dobrev and Somerhalder put aside time to pay her a special visit shortly after 3:00 PM Saturday, spending an  hour with her, making a life’s wish come true.  Baker‘s Classmates at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School meanwhile continue to raise funds aggressively in her honour.

See Dobrev and Somerhalder‘s Video to Baker below:

Earlier in the day, the Couple made a stop-off at our famous St. Lawrence Market and put aside a little time for Spirit and Health after their Hospital visit doing a Hot Yoga Session at a Queen Street West Studio, where one surprised Patron had the pleasure of Somerhalder being her Yoga Partner!   Unfortunately, some Fans who spotted the Couple out and about earlier today were denied Photos with the Couple, but they did get waves from Dobrev in the Driver’s Seat and Somerhalder in the Passenger’s Seat of their car. 

Dobrev and Somerhalder were spotted early Easter Day enjoying some Tim Hortons before heading-off to an Easter Lunch with the Family.  The Couple headed straight out of Toronto midday with Family sending them off with a warm Goodbye, as they embark on a new work week. The Couple were amazingly nice to stop quickly for a few Photos with Fans, a sunglass-donning Somerhalder whispering, “Be careful not to draw attention to us.”. The Vampire Diaries continues to film in Georgia, with its fourth season Finale set to air mid-May.

Meanwhile, Dobrev and Somerhalder‘s Diaries Co-Stars Daniel Gillies and Joseph Morgan just have been announced to star in a Spin-Off of the wildly successful Series, set in New Orleans.  That Episode which will serve as a Pilot for the Series, airs on Thursday, April 25, 2013.  This however, keeps Gillies a v. busy Man as he’s also to film the second season of CTV‘s Medical-Drama Series Saving Hope in Toronto as well up till September.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

At long last, the Long Weekend has come and to those of you who celebrate it, Happy Easter!  To lots of Chocolate, Fish & Chips and somewhere along the way, let’s remember the ultimate Sacrifice Jesus made for us all so that we could be forgiven of our sins and go to Heaven.

Wishing you and your Loved Ones an amazing Long Weekend!

xMr. Will and billy

p.s. Those delicious looking Cakes are from none other than Pusateri’s.

eOne Films and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win a Double Pass to the Toronto Advance Screening of The Sapphires.  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll sing along! The Screening takes place at Cineplex Odeon Varsity next week.

The Sapphires holds a dear place in my heart and I’m thrilled for everyone to discover its greatness.  Directed by Wayne Blair, the Musical-Dramedy is based on the true Story of a Family of four Aboriginal-Australian Women brought over to Vietnam to entertain the U.S. Troops during the War in 1968. They learn about life and live amidst dangerous times. The Film stars Deborah Mailman (The Secret Life of Us), Chris O’Dowd (Girls, Bridesmaids) and Australian Idol Runner-up Jessica Mauboy. Mauboy also continues to sweep major Awards for her Performance here back in her native Australia.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

To enter to win a Double Pass to the Toronto Advance Screening of The Sapphires, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before April 1, 2013.  To double your chances, simply share this Post on Facebook or Re-Tweet the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/thesapphires @MRWILLW wants me to #win a Double Pass to a #Toronto Advance Screening of #THESAPPHIRES. In theatres 4/5/13. #Contest

The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to The Sapphires also is available via Sony Music Canada right here.

The Sapphires hits theatres in Toronto exclusively at Cineplex Odeon Varsity on Friday, April 5, 2013.

Visit the Canadian Website for The Sapphires here.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

If you aren’t a fan of Anna Kendrick, I swear this will win you over.   The Oscar-nominated Actress stole our hearts with her amazing vocal talent in last year’s Pitch Perfect and here she is in a Funny or Die Sketch which has her joining Korean Pop Group F(x), a Quintet who have topped both the U.S. and Canada iTunes Electronic Album Charts.

The Sketch sees Kendrick sent off to Seoul by her Manager, to go through Girl Group Boot Camp of Song and Dance.  Before you know it’s she’s mastering Korean and an Asian Pop Sensation with a legacy to share with her Grandchildren.  “I look like I’m in Cloud Atlas“.  Hilar.

Watch below:

A Pitch-Perfect way to kick-off the Long Weekend!

(Photo/video credit: Funny or Die)

You know we’re getting old when even The Jonas Brothers are making a comeback!  The Boys have announced today that their eagerly-awaited new Single Pom Poms will be released on Tuesday, April 2, 2013.  The Pop-Rock Banger will premiere on Radio at 11:00 AM EST, to be followed by its Video Premiere at 7:00 PM EST over at e! Online.  The Track will appear on their as-yet-untitled fifth Studio Disc out later this year via Universal Music Canada.

In the meantime, whet your appetites with this Teaser for Pom Poms!

In other news, another Disney Alumni Selena Gomez and Jonas Labelmate, who seems to be everywhere these days promoting the amazing Spring Breakers, has announced today that she soon will be releasing the first Single from her first Solo Disc sans The Scene, titled Come and Get It. The Track, written by Stargate and Ester Dean, will surface first on iTunes exclusively on Monday, April 8, 2013, to be followed by other outlets one day after.  The Album is due some time this Summer, so perhaps we might see her at the 2013 MuchMusic Video Awards for a bit of Promo? 

Exclusive content, including Previews of the Single will be available via Gomez‘s Official Website on Monday, April 1, 2013 and no, that’s no April Fool’s Joke!  She will be debuting the Track with a live performance of it on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards! I adored Gomez‘s last Disc, Till the Sun Goes Down.  Superb. 

The stunning Kate Mara finds herself back in Toronto once again, this time to promote House of Cards.  Those of you who have been following know v. well how much I adore the Netflix Original Series which premiered back in February and we were among the first to preview the Series here in Canada!

Mara has gained familiarity in acclaimed releases like 127 Hours, Brokeback Mountain and American Horror Story, but many are calling her role as ambitious Journalist Zoe Barnes in House of Cards her true Breakout Role – and rightfully so.  She is fantastic opposite Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, a commanding presence who is ruthless in her drive to be on top.  Success didn’t come overnight  for the older Sister of equally brilliant Rooney Mara – she’s been working hard for quite some time, first gig was a role on Law & Order back in 1997.

The Actress has a busy day ahead of her and earlier today appeared on CTV‘s Canada AM (watch here) and Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition), where Paparazzi finally were able to capture some real  Star Power in the City after what has been an extended drought. Mara caps-off her day with a taping over at CBC‘s George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight.

“I’m so glad you love the Show!”, she tells me this morning as she signs a House of Cards Gatefold Spread I lifted from my Copy of Vanity Fair.  “We haven’t begun filming yet, but will start in about one week”.   Mara rushed into the front seat of her Navigator, her hair in a low-fuss Ponytail, waist-length jacket, pants and pumps – gray and blue just like the hues of the David Fincher-produced and directed Series.

Of course, that Autograph mentioned would be for my lovely Readers and Mara was game to sign it for you.  To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before April 15, 2013.  Share the Photo with your Friends on Facebook and double those chances. All are welcome to enter!

Here’s a Snap I got with Mara who I ran into by chance shopping on Bloor Street during TIFF back in 2011:

The entire first Season of House of Cards is now available on Netflix Canada.  Eagerly awaiting Season Two!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Amazing!  If there was any doubt Justin Timberlake‘s back and bigger than ever, his The 20/20 Experience shakes-up the Music Industry, proving that when a Record Label wants to invest in an Album, Consumers will buy. And buy they did!

The slickly-packaged Disc released just last Tuesday has sold over 968k copies in its debut, placing at the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Chart and even more impressively, he did it without gimmicks like an array of Special Editions.  Target had an Exclusive Edition, but even that Retailer was number two to iTunes in sales. 

In contrast to his previous two Solo Efforts, 2002’s Justified sold 439k copies in his first week and 2006’s FutureSex/LoveSounds sold 684k copies.

Although impressive, Timberlake‘s The 20/20 Experience still doesn’t surpass Taylor Swift‘s Red, which sold 1.2 million its first week – last year’s biggest debut, eventually going on to sell 3.1 million copies.

(Photo credit: Sony Music)