#JUNOS: THE WEEKND LEADS 2023 JUNO AWARDS WITH FIVE WINS

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and CBC celebrated Canada’s biggest night in music this evening at The 52nd Annual JUNO Awards Broadcast. Hosted for the second time by Hollywood superstar Simu Liu, the awards were broadcast from Rogers Place in Edmonton, nationwide on CBC TV, CBC Gem CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Listen and globally on CBCMusic.ca/junos. The first traveling JUNOS since 2019, the highly anticipated show opened with Calgary native and five-time JUNO Nominee, Tate McRae, making Albertans proud with her energetic performance of her pop-punk hit “she’s all i wanna be.”

Following his four major wins Saturday night at the 2023 JUNO Opening Night Awards Presented by Music Canada, The Weeknd becomes the second most awarded JUNO winner in history after adding Album of the Year* to his collection this evening. He has now amassed 22 wins in just a decade, breaking his tie with Bryan Adams while Anne Murray holds the top spot as the JUNOS’ most decorated artist with 25 awards.

“I am so honored to be recognized like this from my home country that I love so much. I’m so humbled by all this and could never thank fans enough,” said The Weeknd in a statement. 

Global phenomenon, singer, songwriter and producer, AP Dhillon, made JUNOS history tonight as the first artist to sing entirely in Punjabi on the JUNO Awards stage, performing his chart-topping hit “Summer High” to a cheering crowd. 

Canada’s hottest rising stars also performed and took home some of JUNO Week’s biggest awards. All first-time winners and musical collaborators, Banx & Ranx (Breakthrough Group of the Year* winners) together with Preston Pablo (Breakthrough Artist of the Year* winner) and Rêve (Dance Recording of the Year winner), had audiences out of their seats and dancing to the beat with a special mashup performance of their hit singles “Headphones,” “CTRL + ALT + DEL” and “Flowers Need Rain.” Preston Pablo’s award was given out during tonight’s Broadcast while  the others received theirs earlier in the weekend at the JUNO Opening Night Awards Presented by Music Canada.

Canadians were given the option to vote for the TikTok JUNO Fan Choice, which was awarded to Avril Lavigne. This marks the fourth time Avril has won the award bringing her total JUNO count to an impressive 10 awards.

From industry veterans to organizations and music legends, Canada’s flourishing hip hop community came together for a collaborative performance shining a spotlight on the 50th anniversary of the genre. With involvement from ADVANCE, Canada’s Black Music Business Collective, and the JUNO Rap Music Advisory Committee, the four-song medley was written and produced by award-winning artist and four-time JUNO Award Winner Kardinal Offishall, who hosted the segment alongside 2022 JUNO Award winner Haviah Mighty. Renowned recording artist Rich Kidd mixed the track, while veteran entertainer DJ Mel Boogie added her own unique spin to the music live on stage. The festivities began with Kardinal Offishall and hip hop pioneer Michie Mee performing her hit  “Jamaican Funk,” before launching into Dream Warriors’ timeless “My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style.” Four-time JUNO Award winner Choclair followed with his fast moving beat “Let’s Ride” and the showcase ended with TOBi serenading audiences with his lyrical rap single “Flowers.” The performance led into the presentation of Rap Album of the Year, which was awarded to TOBi, who wins in this category for the second time.

This evening’s broadcast included Nickelback’s highly anticipated induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Presented by TD Group. Ryan Reynolds made a special virtual appearance to induct the group and celebrate the band for their incredible contributions to Canadian music,  which included a greeting from Michael Bublé who congratulated the band. Edmonton Oilers’ Captain, Connor McDavid, was also part of the festivities joining the stage to honour the band in-person. To cap the evening, Nickelback performed a medley of their chart-topping and most iconic rock tracks including “Rockstar,” “How You Remind Me,” and “Animals.” Both their Induction and Performance were presented by TD Bank Group. 

Four more longstanding Canadians artists will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2023, when the annual induction ceremony returns to Studio Bell, home to the National Music Centre on May 18. Renowned French Canadian singer Diane Dufresne, veteran jazz pianist Dr. Oliver Jones, country music superstar Terri Clark and rock legends Trooper will all be honoured for their astounding contributions to Canada’s music history, live. Tickets go on-sale April 7, 2023 at the National Music Centre box office. More information on the event can be found HERE.
 
MusiCounts recognized Canadian music educator, Jewel Casselman (Lakewood School,  Winnipeg, MB), not only for her impact on students, but also their community and the music education field, through the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, presented by the CST Foundation. She is the first elementary school teacher to win this award and after an astonishing 34 year career, and will retire at the end of this school year.

The 2023 JUNO Awards featured four more spectacular performances including the long awaited return of fan favorites Alexisonfire, who shared their heartfelt ballad “Sans Soleil” after winning Rock Album of the Year* Saturday night. Aysanabee in collaboration with Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year nominees Northern Cree performed a moving and choral rendition of “We Were Here,” while multi-platinum R&B powerhouse and tonight’s winner of Contemporary R&B Recording of the Year* Jessie Reyez spoke to fans with an electric and soulful performance of “Mutual Friend,” the first track off her latest album. Two-time JUNO Award winner for Country Album of the Year* Tenille Townes took audiences on an emotional journey with two of her most powerful tracks, “Where are You” and “The Sound of Alone.”
 
The evening’s impressive roster of notable presenters included actor and comedian Andrew Phung (Run the Burbs, Kim’s Convenience); nine-time JUNO Award winner Avril Lavigne; star of CBC’s Push Bean Gill; multi-platinum R&B powerhouse Jessie Reyez; TikTok’s KallMeKris; three-time JUNO Award nominee Lauren Spencer Smith; two-time JUNO Award winner Maestro Fresh Wes; 2023 JUNO nominated Digging Roots’ ShoShona Kish; Minister of Canadian Heritage The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez; Global Music Album of the Year nominee Pierre Kwenders; and multi-Platinum-selling artist, music producer, and actor Tyler Shaw.
 
Fans can see the complete list of winners and rewatch every performance and memorable moment from the 52nd Annual JUNO Awards broadcast on CBCMusic.ca/junos and CBC Gem.

#SXSW: “I USED TO BE FUNNY” REVIEW

By Mr. Will Wong

Rachel Sennott (also at SXSW ’23 with BOTTOMS) continues her ascent, giving us range in Torontonian Ally Pankiw’s (The Great, Schitt’s Creek) self-penned directorial feature debut, I USED TO BE FUNNY. We meet Comedian Sam (Sennott) who is beginning to carve-out her own space in Comedy, but then suffers a trauma which de-rails her aspirations. All the while, she debates whether or not to reconnect with a missing teen whom she used to nanny, Brooke (Olga Petsa).

Upon initial glance, we’d have thought I USED TO BE FUNNY would lean more towards the quirky Comedy we’ve come to expect of Sennott in prior films like Shiva Baby and Bodies Bodies Bodies. However, other than traces of her inspired past, much of the jokes are presented in flashbacks. The focus is the present where Sam is struggling to get her life back on track and thanks to Pankiw‘s crafty storytelling, we try to figure out the connection why she’s so fixated on protecting the young and carefree Brooke. Though it takes a moment to establish its tone, we get a better understanding of where Sam is coming from the further along we get in the story.

That being said, Sennott undeniably is great and rises to the challenge, diving deep and exploring the numbness Sam feels in her languishment. This really is a glimpse into the aftermath of trauma and the struggle to re-discover one’s passion and purpose again, and sometimes we find that fire again in others.

I USED TO BE FUNNY screens at SXSW ’23 as follows:

I Used To Be Funny at Alamo Lamar E

Mar 13, 2023

2:30pm—4:15pm

I Used To Be Funny at Rollins Theatre at The Long Center

Mar 15, 2023

11:00am—12:45pm

I Used To Be Funny at Alamo Lamar A

Mar 17, 2023

3:30pm—5:15pm

#INTERVIEW: “BOSTON STRANGLER”

By Mr. Will Wong

16 women where killed in Boston, Massachussetts throughout the ’60s and if it weren’t for the groundbreaking female journalists at the Boston Record American, the common connection among these deaths might not have ever been found. Matt Ruskin writes and directs the compelling BOSTON STRANGLER, coming March 17, 2023 to Disney+ in Canada.

The Historical Drama recounts the struggles that Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley) and Jean Cole (Carrie Coon) faced in their efforts to break the story at the publication for which they worked, having to overcome sexism, while also uncovering a web of corruption that kept the killer at large. These female journalists also put their own safety at risk when their identities became attached to their reporting.

So thrilled to join a virtual junket with the Director/Writer and Cast of BOSTON STRANGLER. In-attendance were:

• Keira Knightley (as Loretta McLaughlin)
• Carrie Coon (as Jean Cole)
• Alessandro Nivola (as Detective Conley)
• Chris Cooper (as Jack MacLaine)
• Matt Ruskin (Director)

The Cast and Crew are asked what drew them to this project.

Ruskin: “I had always heard about the Boston Strangler, but I really didn’t know anything about the case. And then, several years ago, I started reading all that I could and discovered this incredibly-layered murder mystery that was full of twists and turns. And, in many ways, was as much a story about the city at the time. And so, I was just completely gripped by the case. And when I discovered these reporters, Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole, I found out that they were one of the first reporters to connect the murders. And they actually gave the Boston Strangler his name during the course of their reporting. I felt like that was a really compelling way to revisit this case.”.

Knightley: “Well, I think for me, I had heard of the Boston Strangler. I really didn’t know anything about it. So I really came to it from Matt’s wonderful Script. And I just thought it was a really interesting way of telling the story of a serial killer but through the point-of-view of these two female journalists. And the fact that you’ve kinda got a case where most people didn’t know that it was two women who broke the story, that they’ve largely sort of been erased from the history of this case, I thought was really interesting.”.

Coon: “Yes, that was the most shocking part of it for me, that these women were so integral to breaking the case and to forcing the police departments to share information. And their names are never mentioned in association with it. That was really shocking to me. And then, their stories of how they became journalists, as individuals, they were very compelling, very moving stories. It certainly echoed the lives of the women in my world who grew up in the Midwest. My mother was a nurse. One of my grandmothers was a teacher, and the other was a homemaker. And those were the opportunities available to women aside from secretary. So Jean’s fight to become a journalist at all was very moving to me. And then, of course, I had seen Crown Heights, which Matt had made, and I think of him as a really, deeply moral Filmmaker. And I knew that his interest in this story was feminist. You know?”.

Knightley is asked what impressed her most about the nature of these female journalists’ investigation.

Knightley: “Well, I think for me, this whole film is really a love song to female investigative journalists. And really highlights how important it is to have women in position of power in storytelling because it was these two women that really went, ‘This is an important story. This is information that needs to be in the public in order to keep women of Boston safe.’ And I think, largely, it was a story that had been, at that point, ignored by the male establishment. And I don’t know that their male colleagues would have seen the importance of it. So I think it’s wonderful to be part of something that is really highlighting how important it is to have as many good female journalists as you possibly can for the safety of our communities.”.

Chris Cooper actually has only a couple degrees of separation from the real Loretta McLaughlin.

Cooper: “I was lucky enough to rub shoulders with Eileen McNamara, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who worked on the Boston Globe in the ’70s and ’80s. Loretta was a mentor to Eileen, and Eileen directed me to exactly what I needed. And a little bit unorthodox, I followed Jack Maclaine, the character. Jack was never too interested in these murders, you know? And it was complete embarrassment for the Boston Police. They didn’t seem to be pursuing it that much. But Eileen directed me to source material that was so specifically for the ’60s newsroom, what happens politically, you know, just terminology I wanted to know about, hierarchy within the paper. That’s where my interest, and that’s where my research led me.”.

Alessandro Nivola comments on his character Detective Conley and his connection to the story and Loretta.

Nivola: “Yeah, I mean, I think the character is pissed off that the police department isn’t dealing with sort of more modern techniques of forensic psychology and that they’re not interested, seemingly, in connecting these murders. And so he does what’s kind of a desperate move in reaching out to her or, you know, agreeing to talk to her, because he’s probably the son of a cop. He’s probably the grandson of a cop. And so, you know, he’s facing, potentially, you know, betraying the department and casting >the department in a bad light by having, you know, it be perceived that the media is driving the case forward instead of the police department. But he does it because he’s just, like, totally obsessed with the case, and the only other person that he encounters who’s also totally obsessed with the case is her. And so, you know, I think, in that way, they feel like they are kind of cut from the same cloth. He’s probably also attracted to her and enjoys those encounters.”.

Ruskin talks about the importance of filming this Film in Boston.

Ruskin: “Yeah, I think one of the reasons I wanted to film the Movie in Boston was to be able to bring in a lot of the local talent. There’s an extraordinary theater world and scene in Boston and just a very deep pool of talent of local actors. So it’s great to be able to bring them in and allow some people to speak with their, you know, Boston accents. And I would just add to that, in this case, it’s not as much about class as it is just about as a generational thing, you know? Like Loretta’s parents came over from Ireland, so for her, she grew up in a house that didn’t have Boston accents. They were just trying to assimilate. So some of it is, you know, how long you’ve been in the [college?].”.

Disney+ Canada streams BOSTON STRANGLER beginning Friday, March 17, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Disney+)

#NEWMUSIC: CRASH ADAMS – “CALIFORNIA GIRL”

Do you like Piña Coladas? Or Teenage Dream-era Katy Perry? Toronto duo Crash Adams are here to get us into that Summer Spirit with an early bid for Song of the Summer, CALIFORNIA GIRL!

This weekend, pop duo Crash Adams joined fans on YouTube to premiere the official video for “California Girl.”  The video brings the group back to the Santa Monica pier with influencer Katarina Mogus to spread joy and positivity with their sun-kissed single. 

The release of the official “California Girl” video follows up on Crash Adams’ global Facebook premiere of their “Give Me a Kiss (Flash Mob Edition),” which features a flash mob, fan content, a choir and more.  Released March 3^rd, this video has already garnered over 1 million views, and can be seen here. 

Known on social media for their musical skits and their iconic red couch, Crash Adams has rocketed to success, quickly gathering over nine million new followers in a span of just six months across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Spotify. “California Girl” is an instantly hummable tune, and the latest in a string of viral hits from the group who have made it their mission to spread positivity and inspire good vibes everywhere they go.  

Crash Adams is currently working new music with award winning producers and songwriters such as Justin Tranter (Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa, Selena Gomez), Captain Cuts (Bebe Rexha, Halsey, The Chainsmokers) and Dave Hodges (Avril Lavigne, 5 Seconds of Summer, Kelly Clarkson).

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE”

Star-studded, Guy Ritchie directed Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre launches exclusively in Canada on Prime Video on April 7, 2023! Here’s a look at the Trailer!

Directed by: Guy Ritchie

Cast: Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett, Cary Elwes, Bugzy Malone, and Hugh Grant

Synopsis: In the film, super spy Orson Fortune (Jason Statham) must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant). Reluctantly teamed with some of the world’s best operatives (Aubrey Plaza, Cary Elwes, Bugzy Malone), Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood’s biggest movie star Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett) to help them on their globe-trotting undercover mission to save the world. Written byGuy Ritchie and Ivan Atkinson & Marn Davies and produced byGuy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, Bill Block.

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video)

#SXSW: “UPON ENTRY” REVIEW

By David Baldwin

Diego (Alberto Ammann) and Elena (Bruna Cusí) are immigrating from Spain to the United States in the hopes of starting a new life. They have landed in Newark with all the necessary approvals and have three hours before their connecting flight leaves for Miami.

That is how UPON ENTRY opens, with the remainder of its 74-minute running time composed of anxiety, confusion and an endlessly grueling interrogation after Diego and Elena are taken to a secondary inspection area when the authorities discover some inconsistencies with the pair. No minute is wasted as this young couple are psychologically disarmed and made to question every detail of their lives together. It is harrowing stuff that does not get as deplorable as you might think, but certainly leaves you on edge with its palpable realism.

A few ill-timed blunders and underdeveloped plot devices aside, Writer/Director team Alejandro Rojas and Juan Sebastián Vásquez have crafted a picture that grips you from beginning to end. The suspense they manage to squeeze out of these characters, as they mainly sit in one cold, sterile interrogation room talking, is terrific, as is the way we learn about the characters’ histories – sometimes at the same time as they are. The minimal use of music amplifies Diego and Elena’s horrifying experience exponentially, as does the deliberate framing as they answer the immigration officers’ questions. Ammann and Cusí are dynamic in their roles, easily evolving their emotions as needed, and each delivering standout work. You never believe for an instant that these are actors and not real people. Laura Gómez (who memorably played Blanca Flores on Orange is the New Black) is just as convincing, if not even better than our two leads. She plays one of the no-nonsense interrogation officers with the dialed-up intensity of a wolf who just found its prey, and yes, she is just as scary as that sounds.

UPON ENTRY screens at SXSW ’23 as follows:

Mar 10 at 8:30pm at Alamo Lamar C

Mar 12 at 5:45pm at Satellite Venue: AFS Cinema

Mar 16 at 11:30am at Alamo Lamar E

#OSCARS: “EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE” DOMINATES 2023 OSCARS

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE dominated the 95th Academy Awards tonight with seven wins, including Best Picture, Actress in a Leading Role (Michelle Yeoh), Directing (The Daniels), Supporting Actor (Ke Huy Quan), Supporting Actress (Jamie Lee Curtis), Original Screenplay (The Daniels) and Editing. Going into the night, the Film has the distinction of being the most awarded Film in history and further added to the tally. Yeoh made history as the first ever Asian woman to win Actress in a Leading Role.

It was a banner year for Canada also with Toronto’s Sarah Polley taking home Adapted Screenplay for WOMEN TALKING. Many were expecting her to be nominated also for Directing also, but this continued the trend of industry veterans dominating the Academy Awards this year and Polley began her career acting at the age of four.

Toronto’s Daniel Roher took Documentary for his film NAVALNY, which premiered at Sundance and Hot Docs last year to much acclaim, as a springboard to its Oscars success.

Brendan Fraser who is of French-Canadian heritage, as expected would take Actor in a Leading Role for his compelling transformation in Darren Aronofsky‘s THE WHALE, joking on-stage “This is what it’s like in the Multiverse!” a nod to EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE.

Complete list of winners:

BEST PICTURE

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

“Avatar: The Way of Water”

“The Banshees of Inisherin”

“Elvis”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

“The Fabelmans”

“Tár”

“Top Gun: Maverick”

“Triangle of Sadness”

“Women Talking”

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Angela Bassett, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

Hong Chau, “The Whale”

Kerry Condon, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Jamie Lee Curtis, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

Stephanie Hsu, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Brendan Gleeson, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Brian Tyree Henry, “Causeway”

Judd Hirsch, “The Fabelmans”

Barry Keoghan, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Ke Huy Quan, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM

“All Quiet on the Western Front,” Germany *WINNER

“Argentina, 1985,” Argentina

“Close,” Belgium

“EO,” Poland

“The Quiet Girl,” Ireland

DOCUMENTARY (SHORT)

“The Elephant Whisperers” *WINNER

“Haulout”

“How Do You Measure a Year?”

“The Martha Mitchell Effect”

“Stranger at the Gate”

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

“All That Breathes”

“All the Beauty and the Bloodshed”

“Fire of Love”

“A House Made of Splinters”

“Navalny” *WINNER

ORIGINAL SONG

“Applause” from “Tell It like a Woman”

“Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick”

“Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

“Naatu Naatu” from “RRR” *WINNER

“This Is A Life” from “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” *WINNER

“Marcel the Shell With Shoes On”

“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”

“The Sea Beast”

“Turning Red”

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”

“Living”

“Top Gun: Maverick”

“Women Talking” *WINNER

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

“The Banshees of Inisherin”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

“The Fabelmans”

“Tár”

“Triangle of Sadness”

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Austin Butler, “Elvis”

Colin Farrell, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Brendan Fraser, “The Whale” *WINNER

Paul Mescal, “Aftersun”

Bill Nighy, “Living”

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Cate Blanchett, “Tár”

Ana de Armas, “Blonde”

Andrea Riseborough, “To Leslie”

Michelle Williams, “The Fabelmans”

Michelle Yeoh, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

DIRECTOR

Martin McDonagh, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

Steven Spielberg, “The Fabelmans”

Todd Field, “Tár”

Ruben Ostlund, “Triangle of Sadness”

PRODUCTION DESIGN

“All Quiet on the Western Front” *WINNER

“Avatar: The Way of Water”

“Babylon”

“Elvis”

“The Fabelmans”

CINEMATOGRAPHY

“All Quiet on the Western Front” *WINNER

“Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths”

“Elvis”

“Empire of Light”

“Tár”

COSTUME DESIGN

“Babylon”

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” *WINNER

“Elvis”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once”

“Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris”

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

“Avatar: The Way of Water”

“The Batman”

“Elvis”

“Top Gun: Maverick” *WINNER

ANIMATED SHORT FILM

“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” *WINNER

“The Flying Sailor”

“Ice Merchants”

“My Year of Dicks”

“An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It”

LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM

“An Irish Goodbye” *WINNER

“Ivalu”

“Le Pupille”

“Night Ride”

“The Red Suitcase”

ORIGINAL SCORE

“All Quiet on the Western Front” *WINNER

“Babylon”

“The Banshees of Inisherin”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once”

“The Fabelmans”

VISUAL EFFECTS

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

“Avatar: The Way of Water” *WINNER

“The Batman”

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

“Top Gun: Maverick”

FILM EDITING

“The Banshees of Inisherin”

“Elvis”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

“Tár”

“Top Gun: Maverick”

MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

“The Batman”

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

“Elvis”

“The Whale” *WINNER

Some amazing fashion moments tonight from the Red Carpet:

#Oscars: Michelle Yeoh in Dior. pic.twitter.com/KtYS4f22fP

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) March 12, 2023

#Oscars: Austin Butler in perfectly-tailored YSL suit. pic.twitter.com/fIve4ojkOB

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) March 12, 2023

#Oscars: Best-dressed goes to Cara Delevingne in Elie Saab. Just wow! pic.twitter.com/SXu3OPnuoA

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) March 12, 2023

#Oscars: We’re seeing a lot of dual-tone. Hong Chau looks amazing in Prada. pic.twitter.com/GL35e45L57

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) March 12, 2023

#Oscars: Florence Pugh by Valentino. Champagne on champagne. Again, dual tone. pic.twitter.com/RpdZotKxLL

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) March 12, 2023

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR DISNEY’S “THE LITTLE MERMAID”

The trailer for Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” the live-action reimagining of the studio’s animated musical classic, are here! Two of the film’s stars, Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy, debuted the trailer during the 95th Annual Academy Awards®. “The Little Mermaid,” helmed by visionary filmmaker Rob Marshall, opens exclusively in theatres nationwide May 26, 2023.

“The Little Mermaid” is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy. The film stars singer and actress Halle Bailey (“grown-ish”) as Ariel; Jonah Hauer-King (“A Dog’s Way Home”) as Prince Eric; Tony Award® winner Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton”) as the voice of Sebastian; Awkwafina (“Raya and the Last Dragon”) as the voice of Scuttle; Jacob Tremblay (“Luca”) as the voice of Flounder; Noma Dumezweni (“Mary Poppins Returns”) as Queen Selina; Art Malik (“Homeland”) as Sir Grimsby; with Oscar® winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men”) as King Triton; and two-time Academy Award® nominee Melissa McCarthy (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” “Bridesmaids”) as Ursula.

“The Little Mermaid” is directed by Oscar® nominee Rob Marshall (“Chicago,” “Mary Poppins Returns”)with a screenplay by two-time Oscar nominee David Magee (“Life of Pi,” “Finding Neverland”). The songs feature music from multiple Academy Award® winner Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin”) and lyrics by Howard Ashman, and new lyrics by three-time Tony Award® winner Lin-Manuel Miranda. The film is produced by two-time Emmy® winner Marc Platt (“Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert,” “Grease Live!”), Miranda, two-time Emmy winner John DeLuca (“Tony Bennett: An American Classic”), and Rob Marshall, with Jeffrey Silver (“The Lion King”) serving as executive producer.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

#SXSW: “AMERICAN BORN CHINESE” TO PREMIERE AT SXSW 2023 AND ARRIVES MAY ON DISNEY+

Today, Disney+ revealed the May 24, 2023 premiere date for the Disney+ Original series “American Born Chinese.” This :30 first look at the genre-hopping action-comedy from Disney Branded Television series produced by 20th Television, celebrates the show’s three Oscar nominees: Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and guest star Stephanie Hsu. The Series gets a premiere at SXSW this week!

Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang, “American Born Chinese” tells the story of Jin Wang, an average teenager juggling his high school social life with his home life. When he meets a new foreign student on the first day of the school year, even more worlds collide as Jin is unwittingly entangled in a battle of Chinese mythological gods.

The coming-of-age adventure features an all-star international cast, including Academy® Award-Nominees and Golden Globe winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”), Ben Wang (“Chang Can Dunk”), two-time International Emmy Award nominee Yeo Yann Yann (“Wet Season”), Chin Han (“Mortal Kombat”), Daniel Wu (“Reminiscence”), former Taekwondo champion Jimmy Liu and Sydney Taylor (“Just Add Magic”). Academy® Award nominee Stephanie Hsu (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) guest stars.

Emmy® Award-winning writer/producer Kelvin Yu (“Bob’s Burgers,” “Central Park”) serves as executive producer and showrunner. Destin Daniel Cretton (Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” “Short Term 12”) is set to direct and serves as executive producer, alongside Melvin Mar and Jake Kasdan (both of “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.,” “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” and “Jumanji: The Next Level”), Erin O’Malley (“Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.”), Asher Goldstein (“Short Term 12,” “Just Mercy”) and Gene Luen Yang.

(Photo/video credit: Disney+)

#FIRSTLOOK: “ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING” SEASON THREE

Check out the first look at season three of the acclaimed Original comedy series, “Only Murders in the Building.” This first teaser shows a sneak peek at guest star and Oscar®-winner Meryl Streep in the new season, coming soon to Disney+.

Murders? In the building? Groundbreaking. Meryl Streep joins #OnlyMurdersInTheBuilding Season 3. 🏙 pic.twitter.com/crmvWLiEmy

— Disney+ Canada 🇨🇦 (@DisneyPlusCA) March 12, 2023

From the minds of Steve Martin, Dan Fogelman and John Hoffman comes a comedic murder-mystery series for the ages. “Only Murders in the Building” follows three strangers (Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez) who share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one. When a grisly death occurs inside their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and employs their precise knowledge of true crime to investigate the truth. As they record a podcast of their own to document the case, the three unravel the complex secrets of the building which stretch back years. Perhaps even more explosive are the lies they tell one another. Soon, the endangered trio comes to realize a killer might be living amongst them as they race to decipher the mounting clues before it’s too late.

“Only Murders in the Building” hails from co-creators and writers Steve Martin and John Hoffman (“Grace & Frankie,” “Looking”). Martin and Hoffman executive produce along with Martin Short, Selena Gomez, “This Is Us” creator Dan Fogelman and Jess Rosenthal. The series is produced by 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios.