celine dion
#SPOTTED: “I AM CELINE DION” TORONTO PREMIERE
The red carpet was rolled out at TIFF Lightbox for the Toronto Premiere of I AM CELINE DION, the compelling Documentary from Irene Taylor. Simultaneous events were held tonight in New York City and Montreal also.
The Film chronicles the global icon and national treasure’s rise, legacy and health struggle, shedding light on her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome. Uplifting, heartbreaking and completely mesmerizing, which also shed’s light into her craft and musical genius.
A tearful Dion even joined us via livestream from New York City, to share her thanks to her fans, Taylor and Dr. Amanda Piquet who has been instrumental her diagnosis and treatment.
I AM CELINE DION arrives June 25, 2024, only on Prime Video.
Walking the Red Carpet:
• Ali Budd
• Amanda Brugel
• Ed Robertson
• Jamie Thomas King
• John Tavares
• Jully Black, host
• Juno Rinaldi
• Kristin Booth
• Melissa Grelo
• Omega Mighty
• Paula Brancati
• Roxy Earle
• Peter and Paige Torkan
• Sabrina Wu
• Salvatore Antonio
• Sarah Gadon
• Sarah Nurse
• Tamara Podemski
• Tara Spencer-Nairn
• Tatiawna Jones
• Terance Reddick
• Teri Hart
• Tommie-Amber Pirie
• TÖME
• Trish Stratus
…and more!
Highlights from the Red Carpet:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Prime Video Canada)
#NEWMUSIC: “I AM: CELINE DION” DOCUMENTARY TRAILER
Today we get a new Trailer for eagerly-awaited Documentary I AM: CELINE DION, coming to Prime Video Canada June 25, 2024.
The brand new Poster below:
Directed by Academy Award nominee Irene Taylor, I AM: CELINE DION gives us a raw and honest behind-the-scenes look at the iconic superstar’s struggle with a life-altering illness. Serving as a love letter to her fans, this inspirational documentary highlights the music that has guided her life while also showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.
I AM: CELINE DION is presented by Amazon MGM Studios and is a Vermilion Films production in partnership with Sony Music Vision and Sony Music Entertainment Canada.
Directed by Irene Taylor
Produced by Stacy Lorts, Tom Mackay, Julie Begey Seureau and Irene Taylor
Executive produced by Dave Platel, Denis Savage, Shane Carter, Krista Wegener
Runtime: 102 minutes
Rated: PG
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW IMAGE FROM “I AM: CELINE DION”
I AM: CELINE DION arrives June 25, 2024 on Prime Video Canada, today we get a new look at this Documentary!
Synopsis:
Directed by Academy Award nominee Irene Taylor, I AM: CELINE DION gives us a raw and honest behind-the-scenes look at the iconic superstar’s struggle with a life-altering illness. Serving as a love letter to her fans, this inspirational documentary highlights the music that has guided her life while also showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.
I AM: CELINE DION is presented by Amazon MGM Studios and is a Vermilion Films production in partnership with Sony Music Vision and Sony Music Entertainment Canada.
Directed by Irene Taylor
Produced by Stacy Lorts, Tom Mackay, Julie Begey Seureau and Irene Taylor
Executive produced by Dave Platel, Denis Savage, Shane Carter, Krista Wegener
Runtime: 102min
(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada)
#GRAMMYS: TAYLOR SWIFT, MILEY CYRUS, BILLIE EILISH AND SZA AMONG MAJOR WINNERS AT 2024 GRAMMYS
Taylor Swift made history at the 68th edition GRAMMYS last night, being the first Artist ever to take home Album of the Year four times! Prior, she had been tied with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon and Frank Sinatra. Her Album MIDNIGHTS, also took home Best Pop Vocal Album earlier in the broadcast from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Swift had been presented the top honour with a surprise appearance by Céline Dion whom after an extended absence navigating her diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome, appeared on-stage, exactly 27 years after winning the same award for her Falling into You album. This brings Swift‘s GRAMMY victory count to 14.
Other big winners on the broadcast were Miley Cyrus, notching a pair of wins with her global smash hit “Flowers“, taking both Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. She was presented the latter by IMPACT Award winner Mariah Carey.
Billie Eilish also took home a pair of GRAMMYs with “What Was I Made For” (co-written with her brother Finneas) from the Barbie Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, nabbing Song of the Year and Best Song Written for Visual Media.
It was a big year for SZA also taking Pop Duo/Group Performance·with “Ghost in the Machine (with Phoebe Bridgers)”, R&B Song with “Snooze”, Urban Contemporary Album for SOS, bringing her total GRAMMY count to four.
Trevor Noah hosted the affair, which reached an emotionally-poignant moment with Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. taking to the stage to address the state of the world and Music as a string quartet featuring Arab, Israeli and Palestinian musicians. Mason said, “Now is the time for humanity to play together. To come together with empathy and love.”.
List of winners from the broadcast:
Album of the year
Jon Batiste – World Music Radio
Boygenius – The Record
Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation
Lana Del Rey – Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd
Janelle Monáe – The Age of Pleasure
Olivia Rodrigo – Guts
Taylor Swift – Midnights – WINNER
SZA – SOS
Record of the year
Jon Batiste – Worship
Boygenius – Not Strong Enough
Miley Cyrus – Flowers – WINNER
Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For? from Barbie: The Album
Victoria Monét – On My Mama
Olivia Rodrigo – Vampire
Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero
SZA – Kill Bill
Best new artist
Gracie Abrams
Fred again..
Ice Spice
Jelly Roll
Coco Jones
Noah Kahan
Victoria Monét – WINNER
The War and Treaty
Song of the year
Lana Del Rey – A&W
Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero
Jon Batiste – Butterfly
Dua Lipa – Dance the Night from Barbie
Miley Cyrus – Flowers
SZA – Kill Bill
Olivia Rodrigo – Vampire
Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For? from Barbie – WINNER
Best pop vocal album
Kelly Clarkson – Chemistry
Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation
Olivia Rodrigo – Guts
Ed Sheeran – “-” (Subtract)
Taylor Swift – Midnights – WINNER
Best R&B song
Halle – Angel
Robert Glasper featuring SiR and Alex Isley – Back to Love
Coco Jones – ICU
Victoria Monét – On My Mama
SZA – Snooze – WINNER
Best country album
Kelsea Ballerini – Rolling Up the Welcome Mat
Brothers Osborne – Brothers Osborne
Zach Bryan – Zach Bryan
Tyler Childers – Rustin’ in the Rain
Lainey Wilson – Bell Bottom Country – WINNER
Best música urbana album
Rauw Alejandro – Saturno
Karol G – Mañana Será Bonito – WINNER
Tainy – Data
Best pop solo performance
Miley Cyrus – Flowers – WINNER
Doja Cat – Paint the Town Red
Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For? from Barbie
Olivia Rodrigo – Vampire
Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero
Best progressive R&B album
6lack – Since I Have a Lover
Diddy – The Love Album: Off the Grid
Terrace Martin and James Fauntleroy – Nova
Janelle Monáe – The Age of Pleasure
SZA – SOS – WINNER
Best R&B performance
Chris Brown – Summer Too Hot
Robert Glasper featuring SiR and Alex Isley – Back to Love
Coco Jones – ICU – WINNER
Victoria Monét – How Does It Make You Feel
SZA – Kill Bill
Best folk album
Dom Flemons – Traveling Wildfire
The Milk Carton Kids – I Only See the Moon
Joni Mitchell – Joni Mitchell at Newport (Live) – WINNER
Nickel Creek – Celebrants
Old Crow Medicine Show – Jubilee
Paul Simon – Seven Psalms
Rufus Wainwright – Folkocracy
Producer of the year, non-classical
Jack Antonoff – WINNER
Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II
Hit-Boy
Metro Boomin
Daniel Nigro
Songwriter of the year, non-classical
Edgar Barrera
Jessie Jo Dillon
Shane McAnally
Theron Thomas – WINNER
Justin Tranter
Best pop duo/group performance
Miley Cyrus featuring Brandi Carlile – Thousand Miles
Lana Del Rey featuring Jon Batiste – Candy Necklace
Labrinth featuring Billie Eilish – Never Felt So Alone
Taylor Swift featuring Ice Spice – Karma
SZA featuring Phoebe Bridgers – Ghost in the Machine – WINNER
Best dance/electronic recording
Aphex Twin – Blackbox Life Recorder 21f
James Blake – Loading
Disclosure – Higher Than Ever Before
Romy and Fred again.. – Strong
Skrillex, Fred again.. and Flowdan – Rumble – WINNER
Best pop dance recording
David Guetta, Anne-Marie and Coi Leray – Baby Don’t Hurt Me
Calvin Harris featuring Ellie Goulding – Miracle
Kylie Minogue – Padam Padam – WINNER
Bebe Rexha and David Guetta – One in a Million
Troye Sivan – Rush
Best dance/electronic music album
James Blake – Playing Robots into Heaven
The Chemical Brothers – For That Beautiful Feeling
Fred again.. – Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022) – WINNER
Kx5 – Kx5
Skrillex – Quest for Fire
Best traditional R&B performance
Babyface featuring Coco Jones – Simple
Kenyon Dixon – Lucky
Victoria Monét featuring Earth, Wind & Fire and Hazel Monét – Hollywood
PJ Morton featuring Susan Carol – Good Morning – WINNER
SZA – Love Language
Best R&B album
Babyface – Girls Night Out
Coco Jones – What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe)
Emily King – Special Occasion
Victoria Monét – Jaguar II – WINNER
Summer Walker – Clear 2: Soft Life EP
Best rap performance
Baby Keem featuring Kendrick Lamar – The Hillbillies
Black Thought – Love Letter
Drake & 21 Savage – Rich Flex
Killer Mike featuring André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane – Scientists & Engineers – WINNER
Coi Leray – Players
Best melodic rap performance
Burna Boy featuring 21 Savage – Sittin’ on Top of the World
Doja Cat – Attention
Drake and 21 Savage – Spin Bout U
Lil Durk featuring J Cole – All My Life – WINNER
SZA – Low
Best rap song
Doja Cat – Attention
Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice featuring Aqua – Barbie World from Barbie: The Album
Lil Uzi Vert – Just Wanna Rock
Drake and 21 Savage – Rich Flex
Killer Mike featuring André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane – Scientists & Engineers – WINNER
Best rap album
Drake and 21 Savage – Her Loss
Killer Mike – Michael – WINNER
Metro Boomin – Heroes & Villains
Nas – King’s Disease III
Travis Scott – Utopia
Best country solo performance
Tyler Childers – In Your Love
Brandy Clark – Buried
Luke Combs – Fast Car
Dolly Parton – The Last Thing on My Mind
Chris Stapleton – White Horse – WINNER
Best country song
Brandy Clark – Buried
Zach Bryan featuring Kacey Musgraves – I Remember Everything
Tyler Childers – In Your Love
Morgan Wallen – Last Night
Chris Stapleton – White Horse – WINNER
Best song written for visual media
Barbie World from Barbie the Album, Naija Gaston, Ephrem Louis Lopez Jr. and Onika Maraj, songwriters (Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice featuring Aqua)
Dance the Night from “Barbie the Album, Caroline Ailin, Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, songwriters (Dua Lipa)
I’m Just Ken from Barbie the Album, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, songwriters (Ryan Gosling)
Lift Me Up from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — Music From and Inspired By, Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Robyn Fenty and Temilade Openiyi, songwriters (Rihanna)
What Was I Made For? from Barbie the Album, Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish) — WINNER
Best comedy album
Trevor Noah – I Wish You Would
Wanda Sykes – I’m an Entertainer
Chris Rock – Selective Outrage
Sarah Silverman – Someone You Love
Dave Chappelle – What’s in a Name? – WINNER
Best global music album
Susana Baca – Epifanías
Bokanté – History
Burna Boy – I Told Them…
Davido – Timeless
Shakti – This Moment – WINNER
Best African music performance
Asake and Olamide – Amapiano
Burna Boy – City Boys
Davido featuring Musa Keys – Unavailable
Ayra Starr – Rush
Tyla – Water – WINNER
Best musical theater album
Kimberly Akimbo
Parade
Shucked
Some Like It Hot – WINNER
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best alternative music album
Arctic Monkeys – The Car
Boygenius – The Record – WINNER
Lana Del Rey – Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd
Gorillaz – Cracker Island
PJ Harvey – I Inside the Old Year Dying
Best alternative music performance
Alvvays – Belinda Says
Arctic Monkeys – Body Paint
boygenius – Cool About It
Lana Del Rey – A&W
Paramore – This Is Why – WINNER
Best rock album
Foo Fighters – But Here We Are
Greta Van Fleet – Starcatcher
Metallica – 72 Seasons
Paramore – This Is Why – WINNER
Queens of the Stone Age – In Times New Roman…
Best rock song
The Rolling Stones – Angry
Olivia Rodrigo – Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl
Queens of the Stone Age – Emotion Sickness
Boygenius – Not Strong Enough – WINNER
Foo Fighters – Rescued
Best metal performance
Disturbed – Bad Man
Ghost – Phantom of the Opera
Metallica – 72 Seasons – WINNER
Slipknot – Hive Mind
Spiritbox – Jaded
Best rock performance
Arctic Monkeys – Sculptures of Anything Goes
Black Pumas – More Than a Love Song
Boygenius – Not Strong Enough – WINNER
Foo Fighters – Rescued
Metallica – Lux Æterna
Best country duo/group performance
Dierks Bentley featuring Billy Strings – High Note
Brothers Osborne – Nobody’s Nobody
Zach Bryan featuring Kacey Musgraves – I Remember Everything – WINNER
Vince Gill and Paul Franklin – Kissing Your Picture (Is So Cold)
Jelly Roll with Lainey Wilson – Save Me
Carly Pearce featuring Chris Stapleton – We Don’t Fight Anymore
Complete list of winners here.
#FIRSTLOOK: SOUNDTRACK DETAILS FOR “LOVE AGAIN”
Though LOVE AGAIN isn’t out till next month, today we get a glimpse of what the Music will sound like from this Rom-Com inspired by the Music of legendary Céline Dion! The Film’s Soundtrack hits stores May 12, 2023 including new music from Dion!
About The Album
Sony Music Entertainment Canada/Columbia Records has announced LOVE AGAIN (Soundtrack from The Motion Picture) will be released on May 12. The 14-track album is available for pre-order now and features five new Céline Dion songs, including the title track “Love Again” written by Dan Wilson and Arista Records artist ROSIE, listen HERE. The soundtrack features the first new music from Celine since her 2019 album Courage, along with six of Celine’s past hits, as well as three of the film’s score selections.
“I had a lot of fun doing this movie. And to have the privilege of appearing with the beautiful and talented actors Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sam Heughan in my very first feature film is a gift that I will cherish forever. I think it’s a wonderful feel-good story, and I hope that people will like it, and like the new songs too.” – Celine Dion
Starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sam Heughan and Celine Dion (in her first film role), Love Again features eleven songs from Celine that are woven into the narrative of the film and its characters. In a recent interview with People Magazine Sam Heughan shared that “Celine’s music, in a way, brings my character and Priyanka’s character together,” with Priyanka Chopra Jonas adding that Love Again is “our ode to Celine.” Love Again, written for the screen and directed by Jim Strouse, opens in theatres May 5, 2023 via Screen Gems. Watch the trailer here.
LOVE AGAIN (Soundtrack from The Motion Picture) Track List:
- Love Again
- I’ll Be
- Waiting On You
- Love Of My Life
- The Gift
- It’s All Coming Back To Me Now
- Orpheus & Eurydice (Score from Love Again)
- All By Myself
- Where Does My Heart Beat Now
- Celine Wisdom (Score from Love Again)
- A New Day Has Come
- Courage
- That’s The Way It Is
- Love Takes Courage (Score from Love Again)
(Photo/video credit: Sony Music Entertainment)
#FIRSTLOOK: “LOVE AGAIN” OFFICIAL TRAILER
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?💕📱
Sony Pictures Canada release LOVE AGAIN May 5, 2023.
(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)
#FIRSTLOOK: “ALINE” TRAILER AND CANADIAN RELEASE DATE
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)
#EDITORSNOTE: MR. WILL’S BEST-OF 2019 LIST
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
#SPOTTED: CÉLINE DION IN TORONTO FOR “COURAGE WORLD TOUR”
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
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(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Sony Music Entertainment)
#NEWMUSIC: CÉLINE DION – “ASHES”
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)
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