pharrell
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “PIECE BY PIECE”
Today we get a new Trailer for TIFF ’24 selection PIECE BY PIECE!
Focus Features and Universal Pictures Canada will release PIECE BY PIECE
In-Theatres on Friday, October 11, 2024.
Director: Morgan Neville
Producers: Pharrell Williams, Mimi Valdés, Caitrin Rogers, Morgan Neville
Executive Producer: David Lawrence, Shani Saxon, Jill Wilfert, Keith Malone
Featuring: Pharrell Williams, Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Jay Z, Snoop Dogg
Synopsis: PIECE BY PIECE is a unique cinematic experience that invites audiences on a vibrant journey through the life of cultural icon Pharrell Williams. Told through the lens of LEGO® animation, turn up the volume on your imagination and witness the evolution of one of music’s most innovative minds.
Genre: Animated Biopic
#NEWMUSIC: CALVIN HARRIS FT. HALSEY, PHARRELL & JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
Halsey. Justin Timberlake. Pharrell. Calvin Harris. ALL ON ONE TRACK! Check-out this latest entrant for Song of the Summer ’22! “Stay with Me” is dancey, summer, neo-Disco/R&B magic! Something epic for your weekend!
(Photo credit: Sony Music Entertainment)
#SPOTTED: TIFF DAY 4 SIGHTINGS – AARON TAYLOR-JOHNSON, MICHAEL SHANNON, RACHEL WEISZ, TARAJI P. HENSON, RAMI MALEK, OLIVIA COOKE, BILL NIGHY + MORE
TIFF fever continues throughout Toronto on the Festival’s fourth day! Premieres took place tonight including Fashion icon Tom Ford‘s NOCTURNAL ANIMALS starring Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and an in-absentia Jake Gyllenhaal. Also premiering tonight was Oscar bait DENIAL starring Rachel Weisz over at Princess of Wales Theatre. THE PROMISE starring Oscar Isaac and Christian Bale also premiered at Roy Thomson Hall tonight. An A-List Cast including Matthew McConaughey, Scarlett Johansson, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Hudson appeared at the midday Premiere for Animated Feature SING over at Princess of Wales Theatre. The Premiere was followed by performances from both Hudson and Popstar Tori Kelly even.
See some of the names we spotted around today!
Bill Nighy, THE LIMEHOUSE GOLEM
Olivia Cooke, KATIE SAYS GOODBYE
Chris Lowell, KATIE SAYS GOODBYE
Xavier Dolan, IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD
Auteur #XavierDolan at #TIFF16 for #ItsOnlytheEndofWorld.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Lea Seydoux, IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD
Inseynity! #LeaSeydoux causing a commotion. She is at #TIFF16 for #ItsOnlytheEndofWorld.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Gaspard Ulliel, IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD
Mireille Enos, KATIE SAYS GOODBYE
Sigourney Weaver, A MONSTER CALLS
Lewis MacDougall, A MONSTER CALLS
#LewisMacDougall, star of #AMonsterCalls. #TIFF16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Felicity Jones, A MONSTER CALLS
Things got v. aggressive. #FelicityJones at #TIFF16 for #AMonsterCalls. #RogueOne #StarWars
A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Michael Shannon, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
Taraji P. Henson, HIDDEN FIGURES
Yes!!! Cookie Time!! #TarajiPHenson #TIFF16 #HiddenFigures #Empire
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Pharrell, HIDDEN FIGURES
Glen Powell, HIDDEN FIGURES
#ScreamQueens’ #GlenPowell at #TIFF16 with #HiddenFigures.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Rachel Weisz, DENIAL
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Lucas Hedges, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
Rami Malek, BUSTER’S MAL HEART
With #MrRobot star #RamiMalek at #TIFF16 with #BustersMalHeart
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#NEWMUSIC: PHARRELL FT. N.E.R.D. – “SQUEEZE ME”
After making us fall in love with Happy from Despicable Me 2 last year, Pharrell is back with SQUEEZE ME from upcoming The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge out of Water! The Track reunites the Fashion and Music Icon with his roots, collaborating with N.E.R.D. Judging by how catchy it is, I wouldn’t be surprised if this crosses over onto the Top 40!
Film Synopsis:
SpongeBob SquarePants, the world’s favorite sea dwelling invertebrate, comes ashore to our world for his most super-heroic adventure yet.
See the Video below for Squeeze Me:
#SPOTTED: CRIS CAB IN TORONTO FOR DEBUT SINGLE “LIAR LIAR”
Miami-born Singer/Songwriter Cris Cab already has achieved Chart success overseas, but now is setting his sights stateside. The 21-year-old’s debut Single Liar Liar, a Reggae-Pop Track, gives us a taste of what he’s capable of. If red-hot Pharrell Williams‘ vote of confidence in him as his Mentor means anything, he certainly is one to keep on our radars.
Cab was spotted doing an appearance on Global Television‘s The Morning Show (Toronto Edition) earlier, guitar in-tow for a busy second day of Press, awesome to stop for a quick Snap. He did encounter a bit of SUV confusion on his way out as an arriving Comedienne Sandra Bernhard‘s Vehicle was parked right beside his.
Watch the Video for Liar Liar below:
See our Snap:
#GRAMMYS: DAFT PUNK, PHARRELL, MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS AND LORDE WIN TOP HONOURS AT 2014 GRAMMYS
The 56th annual GRAMMY Awards took place tonight at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles – Music’s Biggest Night! The Stars came out in droves and in what was an odd, exciting Red Carpet, we saw an assortment of Helmets and Hats donned on some of the biggest names in Music including the likes of Madonna, Daft Punk, Yoko Ono and Pharrell, who lit Twitter afire with his exaggerated RCMP-like Hat. The Fashion Entrepreneur, Producer and Singer/Songwriter not only won in the Category of Best Producer (Non-Classical), but won coveted Record of the Year and also Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with his Daft Punk Collaboration, Get Lucky.
French Electronica Duo Daft Punk made only their second-ever televised Performance tonight – a momentous Occasion with Stevie Wonder joining them and Pharrell. What made the Night extra-special however was their huge Wins for coveted Top Honour of Album of the Year, Best Electronic/Dance Album and Best Engineered Album with their 2013 Disc, Random Access Memories. In total, they won five GRAMMYs night individually and in collaboration.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis who debuted only last year, too were the Kings of the GRAMMYs this year, sweeping the most important Rap/Hip-Hop Categories including Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song (Thrift Shop), Best Rap Performance (Thrift Shop) and Best New Artist. In addition, the Duo stole the Show tonight partnering-up with Queen Latifah and Pop Legend Madonna for a much-talked-about Performance of Same Love, which saw 33 Couples of all Orientations being wed at the Event as Queen Latifah officiated the Ceremony. Madonna then joined on-stage in a white Suit and Cowboy Hat singing the Hook to her Hit Open Your Heart.
Watch the Performance below:
Although surprisingly she wasn’t nominated for Best New Artist, shy 17-year-old New Zealand Sensation Lorde more than made-up for that with a huge win for Best Solo Pop Performance with her Hit Royals. The Track also won coveted Song of the Year and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a huge sales boost next week for her 2013 Debut, Pure Heroine. In a succinct pair of Speeches where she seemed genuinely shocked to win, she thanked her fellow Nominees Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Sara Bareilles and Justin Timberlake for being inspirations in her own Music. She also accepted with her Co-Writer/Producer Joel Little, letting him do most of the talking.
Katy Perry turned several heads tonight in her Valentino Dress which was adorned with Musical Notes, in addition leaving an impression with her eerie and theatrical Performance of latest Single, Dark Horse.
Taylor Swift undisputedly had the best Red Carpet Look tonight, wearing well an elegant chain-linked Gucci Dress. She performed her Track All Too Well, complete with head-thrashing, finished with a mood-appropriate pensive smirk versus her usual enthusiastic show of gratitude post-Performance. Although she wasn’t a Winner tonight, she was up in for prestigious Album of the Year with her Disc Red, released in October 2012.
Watch Swift perform All Too Well:
Canada also fared well this year at the GRAMMYs, with our own Michael Buble nabbing his fourth GRAMMY with his Disc To Be Loved in the Category of Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Jennifer Gasoi won Best Children‘s Album with her Throw a Penny in the Wishing Well.
#EDITORSNOTE: MR. WILL’S 2013 TOP TENS!
It was a memorable year indeed! Join me as I recall some of 2013’s brightest moments in Celebrity, Film and Music with a Toronto twist! As a true Connoisseur of Pop Culture, I certainly was spoiled with several delights this year on all three fronts. Toronto witnessed what could well be the strongest years this City ever has seen in terms of Star Power. Also, as an experienced Digital Photographer of sorts, I am sharing some of my favourite Snaps taken around the City this year too. If you’re a #NOFILTER kinda Guy or Gal, I apologize! A few of them are Horse-related, spending many of my weekends at scenic Woodbine Racetrack, my fave Place since Childhood to escape and recharge from the City. Come Wongsters, let us walk down this luminous Memory Lane together!
TOP TEN SONGS OF 2013
2013 was solid for Pop Music and I was thrilled to hear a return to great, strong melodies. What a year it was for Miley Cyrus who not only wowed us with We Can’t Stop, but slayed us hard with Wrecking Ball! Coming in like a Wrecking Ball she managed to turn all eyes her way in a year which saw Albums released from some Marquee names like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and more. Lana Del Rey put us in a state of euphoria this Spring with her chilling Ballad for The Great Gatsby, Young & Beautiful. Flawless and timeless. Mariah Carey and Miguel provided much of the Soundtrack for my early Summer with their gorgeous Collabo #Beautiful, while Robin Thicke undisputedly had the Song of Summer 2013 with Blurred Lines. His Album of the same name easily is my favourite Disc of 2013.
1. Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
2. Lana Del Rey – Young & Beautitul
3. Mariah Carey ft. Miguel – #Beautiful
4. Justin Timberlake – Mirrors
5. Miley Cyrus – We Can’t Stop
6. Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell & T.I. – Blurred Lines
7. Capital Cities – Safe and Sound
8. Katy Perry – Roar
9. Icona Pop – I Love It
10. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Same Love
Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
TOP TEN FILMS OF 2013
I don’t recall a year in recent memory where the Films were quite as strong as this year. It is as if Filmmakers have studied critiques, knew precisely what to avoid and owned it. Time after time I’d make it out to the morning Media Screenings and just when I thought I’d seen my favourite Film of 2013, another would come along and usurp the throne. In all, AIDS Drama Dallas Buyers Club would leave the strongest imprint with Jared Leto touching the core of my soul with his phenomenal performance. 12 Years a Slave left me shaken and speechless and made it really tough to decide a Fave. Saving Mr. Banks truly affected and inspired me, moving me to tears and I could never forget Cate Blanchett‘s empathic portrayal of a Woman battling her own demons in Woody Allen‘s Blue Jasmine. And yes, I really loved Spring Breakers. James Franco is just on another level.
1. Dallas Buyers Club
2. 12 Years a Slave
3. American Hustle
4. Blue Jasmine
5. Saving Mr. Banks
6. Gravity
7. 42
8. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
9. Enough Said
10. Spring Breakers
Watch the Trailer for Dallas Buyers Club below:
TOP CELEBRITY MOMENTS
It was a good bloody amazing year. My experience in New York City seeing the Met Gala is unforgettable, as a revolving door of Celebrities came my direction. I didn’t even know which way to go or who to ask first for a Photo! TIFF ’13 brought me several amazing memories finally getting to meeting one of my favourite Actresses, Nicole Kidman – not to mention getting to meeting personal Heroes Seth McFarlane, Jim Carrey, Mike Myers, Baz Luhrmann and several more throughout the year. My ultimate Highlight however was finally after 15 tries, getting my Lady Gaga moment in November!
As seen top to bottom, left to right in the above Collage are:
Supermodel Cara Delevingne, Shoe Visionary Christian Louboutin, Actress Mia Wasikowska, Actor Jesse Eisenberg, Actor Kit Harington, Astronaut Chris Hadfield, Singer/Songwriter Lorde, Singer/Songwriter Robin Thicke, Television Personality/Actress Kelly Ripa, Domestic Goddess Martha Stewart.
Director Baz Luhrmann, Actress Emma Thompson, Singer/Actress Ariana Grande, Actress Léa Seydoux, Actress Adèle Exarchopoulos, Actress Toni Collette, Singer/Songwriter Lady Gaga, Singer Kylie Minogue, Actress Nicole Kidman, Actress/Singer Selena Gomez.
Writer/Actor Mike Myers, Comedian, Writer/Actor Seth MacFarlane, Writer/Actor Seth Meyers, Writer/Actor Jim Carrey, Actress Dakota Fanning, Actress Taylor Schilling, Singer/Songwriter/Fashion Mogul Pharrell, Television Personality/Actress Rosie O’Donnell, Kentucky Derby-winning Jockey Joel Rosario, Breeders Cup Classic-winning Jockey/Actor Gary Stevens.
Spice Girl/Actress Mel B., Actor Armie Hammer, Actress Kerry Washington, Actor Sam Rockwell, Actor Nicholas Hoult, Actor Tom Hiddleston, Actor Adam Driver, Actor Josh Brolin, Actor Daniel Radcliffe, Actress Dakota Fanning, Actor Sam Claflin, Actress Jena Malone.
TOP SNAPS
And now the ten best Photos of 2013 snapped through my lenses (Samsung Galaxy S2, Samsung Galaxy S4 and Olympus E-PL5):
I truly am blessed and can’t wait to see what 2014 has in store for us here in this sight-filled City of Tastemakers!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#NEWMUSIC: DJ EARWORM’S “UNITED STATE OF POP 2013 (LIVING THE FANTASY)”
It was a great year for Pop Music in 2013. DJ Earworm recaps it best and in what is becoming an annual Pop Tradition, the San Francisco-based Mash-up Artist has just unveiled his United State of Pop 2013 Megamix. And he never disappoints! Although a bit less energetic and a bit darker than previous year’s, this is definitely among his best.
The Mix includes Billboard Magazine‘s Year-End Top 25 Songs and this year we have:
Avicii feat. Aloe Blacc – Wake Me Up
Bruno Mars – When I Was Your Man
Capital Cities – Safe & Sound
Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams – Get Lucky
Eminem feat. Rihanna – The Monster
Florida Georgia Line feat. Nelly – Cruise
Imagine Dragons – Radioactive
Imagine Dragons – Demons
Jay-Z feat. Justin Timberlake – Holy Grail
Justin Timberlake – Mirrors
Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z – Suit & Tie
Katy Perry – Roar
Lady Gaga – Applause
Lorde – Royals
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton – Can’t Hold Us
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz – Thrift Shop
Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
Miley Cyrus – We Can’t Stop
OneRepublic – Counting Stars
P!nk feat. Nate Ruess – Just Give Me A Reason
Rihanna – Stay
Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell & T.I. – Blurred Lines
Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin – Don’t You Worry Child
Taylor Swift – I Knew You Were Trouble
Will.I.Am feat. Britney Spears – Scream And Shout
Check it out in full below:
#SPOTTED: PHARRELL IN TORONTO FOR BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB X HOLT RENFREW
Rapper, Singer-Songwriter, Mega-Producer, Fashion Mogul and Entrepreneur Pharrell is in Toronto today to promote his Billionaire Boys Club Fashion Line’s 10th Anniversary via a Pop-Up Shop at High Fashion Retailer, Holt Renfrew. Available exclusively at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre location, the Shop is curated by Pharrell himself and features installations of some of his most coveted items, including those 2005 Louis Vuitton “Millionaire” Sunglasses we all wanted so bad. The Shop also features exclusive Holt Renfrew x BBC Sweaters and T-Shirts for Men and Women.
Pharrell appears today at Holt Renfrew – Yorkdale Shopping Centre between 2-3 PM in Q&A, hosted by CTV‘s eTalk Personality Tanya Kim and you too can see him in-person as he discusses his Career, Life and of course, Fashion.
I had the pleasure of spotting Pharrell earlier and in perhaps one of the most “chillaxed” vibes I’ve ever witnessed, his amazingly-nice Bodyguard asked, “What do you want?”. Gesturing for a Photo, he replied “A Photo? Alright. That won’t be a problem.”. Moments later, Pharrell kindly came out with his Entourage and threw a Handsign for the Camera as he posed in his Sunglasses and Fedora. Definitely one of my most highly-sought-after Photos-with a Celebrity. Ever. The Hitmaker responsible for Summer 2013 Smashes Blurred Lines and Get Lucky, is amazing and a real Example.
See our Snap:
We spotted Pharrell‘s Blurred Lines Collaborator Robin Thicke this Summer in Toronto too. More on that here.
You must watch deadmau5‘s Coffee Run Video with Pharrell, as the new Icons filmed their Chat in the former’s Car during his visit here. They go on about Cars, Tim Hortons’, Technology and more:
“Like” Billionaire Boys Club on Facebook here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Billionaire Boys Club)
#WATCH: CHANNING TATUM, JAMIE FOXX, PHARRELL & ROBIN THICKE PARODY VIDEOS ON “JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE”
I absolutely love the level of detail Jimmy Kimmel puts into making his Show funny and this week alone he had two stellar moments including two Parody-type Music Videos which got me laughing!
Officially number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 this week, Robin Thicke and Pharrell joined-in on the fun with Kimmel and Sidekick Guillermo, with a hilarious re-shot take on Blurred Lines. You won’t believe what they spell with those balloons! I love how annoyed Thicke looks the whole time.
Watch below:
Three months ago, White House Down Co-Stars Jamie Foxx and new Dad Channing Tatum were on the Show, the former simply declaring “Channing is the best!”. They made an entire Music Video (appropriate for late-night viewing) and Track poking-fun at our Tatum-obsessed Society. Suggestively vulgar, they bring-on the laughs with the help of Miley Cyrus, Olivia Munn, Gabourey Sidibe, Matt Damon and more! Kimmel even gets all confused not knowing what the Song really is about.
Watch below:
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