分类: entertainment

  • Superstars and broken records: 2026 Emmy highlights

    Superstars and broken records: 2026 Emmy highlights

    As the entertainment industry gears up for one of its most prestigious annual events, new details have emerged about the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, scheduled to take place in 2026. Set to unfold at Los Angeles’ iconic Peacock Theatre, the ceremony will have a familiar and beloved face at the helm: Mariska Hargitay, the long-time lead of the hit procedural drama *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*.

    Hargitay’s casting as host marks a full-circle moment for the star, who has been a fixture of television for nearly three decades, earning multiple Emmy nominations and a win in 2006 for her portrayal of Lieutenant Olivia Benson. Industry insiders note that her selection reflects the awards’ focus on honoring long-standing contributions to television, alongside recognizing the breakthrough work of newer creators and performers.

    Ahead of the 2026 ceremony, industry analysts are already predicting a night of record-breaking milestones and surprise wins, with buzz building around new hit series and veteran artists vying for top honors. Unlike many recent awards shows that have shifted to smaller venues or hybrid formats due to industry disruptions, the 78th Emmys are planned as a full-capacity in-person event, designed to reunite the global television community in celebration of outstanding storytelling. More details about nomination categories, presenters, and performance lineups are expected to be released in the coming months as event organizers finalize plans.

  • Welsh actor Matthew Rhys makes Emmy Awards history with double win

    Welsh actor Matthew Rhys makes Emmy Awards history with double win

    The 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards, the most prestigious honor ceremony in American television, delivered a night of unforgettable moments, groundbreaking history, and moving tributes that left audiences and attendees alike reflecting on the past year of iconic TV storytelling. The night’s biggest headline maker came in the form of Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who etched his name into Emmy record books as the first performer in the awards’ history to take home two lead acting trophies in a single ceremony. Rhys claimed the top prize for Best Lead Actor in a Limited Series for his work on the psychological thriller *The Beast In Me*, followed just hours later by a win for Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as the small-town mayor in the supernatural hit *Widow’s Bay*. While a handful of industry legends including Alan Alda, Sally Field, and Ted Danson had previously earned two lead acting nominations in the same year, Rhys’s double victory set an unprecedented new benchmark for the awards. On stage after his second win, Rhys paid homage to his home nation, saying: “We are a small but mighty nation. This is incredible,” before closing with the Welsh phrase “Diolch yn fawr iawn,” meaning “thank you very much.” Backstage, he expanded on his pride in representing Wales, adding that he was grateful for the chance to “put our flag on the map and say, ‘we punch higher than our weight sometimes.’” Accepting his limited series award, Rhys thanked his co-star Claire Danes, who leads the thriller as a grieving author who suspects Rhys’s mysterious neighbor character of murder, calling the opportunity to work on the project a “real shock.” For his comedy win, he thanked family, friends, and early supporters including his parents, who “kicked me on to the stage at a very early age.” Rhys wasn’t the only British talent to take home a win for *Widow’s Bay*: Lancashire-born co-star Kate O’Flynn claimed the award for Best Supporting Comedy Actress for her role as Patricia on the series, which follows a fictional island plagued by an ancient curse. In her acceptance speech, O’Flynn called the role “the role of a lifetime” and thanked producers for “trusting this Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like Patricia.” The night brought more historic milestones beyond Rhys’s double win: veteran actors Jean Smart and Allison Janney tied the all-time record for the most career Emmy acting wins just minutes apart from one another. Smart, who won Best Comedy Actress for the fifth and final season of the hit Hollywood satire *Hacks*, notched her fifth win for the series and eighth overall Emmy. Joking to the crowd after her standing ovation, she reflected “What a ride this has been,” before quipping that the standing ovation only happened “because I’m old.” Janney followed by picking up her eighth career Emmy, taking home Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her work on *The Diplomat*. Her win came as a surprise to many, beating out four nominated cast members from the top drama *The Pitt*. “I’m genuinely shocked,” Janney said of the victory. The two now match the record previously held only by Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus for the most acting Emmys won by any performer. Other major acting honors included Rhea Seehorn’s first career Emmy, awarded for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work on Apple TV+’s *Plurusb*, a sci-fi series following a woman who discovers nearly all of humanity has been overtaken by a mysterious mind virus. For the second consecutive year, Noah Wyle took home Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series for *The Pitt*, which also claimed the night’s most prestigious honor: Outstanding Drama Series. Wyle, a former star of *ER*, told the audience that working in television had been his lifelong dream, saying “I’m a Hollywood kid. I was raised on a television, and movie theaters were my place of worship. This is all I’ve ever wanted to do and this is the only club I’ve ever wanted to join. Thank you for accepting me.” He also paid homage to his fellow nominee, British icon Sir Gary Oldman, noting that Oldman’s 1986 performance as Sid Vicious in *Sid and Nancy* set the career benchmark he had always aspired to reach. Beyond competitive awards, the 2026 ceremony featured deeply emotional tributes to beloved entertainment figures who passed away in recent months. Country music legend and Emmy winner Dolly Parton, who died last month, was honored by longtime friend Sally Field, who called Parton “genuine, humble, supportive and blisteringly funny” and “a humanitarian whose contribution has made a profound difference across our country.” Country star Reba McEntire delivered a special performance of Parton’s *Appalachian Memories* as part of the tribute. Ironically, Field herself won a competitive award earlier that night, taking home Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for the Netflix film *Remarkably Smart Creatures*. Other tributes included a remembrance of *Home Alone* and *Schitt’s Creek* star Catherine O’Hara, with former co-star Macaulay Culkin joking: “She may have forgotten me… twice! But we will always remember her.” Late actor and director Rob Reiner, who received a posthumous Emmy earlier this month for his guest role on *The Bear*, was honored by Jamie Lee Curtis during the annual in memoriam segment, which featured a performance of *Bridge Over Troubled Water* by folk singer Noah Kahan. One of the most celebrated moments of the night came when 65-year-old *Back to the Future* star Michael J. Fox received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his decades of advocacy for Parkinson’s disease research. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 29, Fox founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in 2000, and received a full standing ovation as he accepted the honor from his wheelchair. Fox told the audience he initially hid his diagnosis out of fear it would change how audiences saw him, saying “I worried that it would affect my work and my relationships with audiences when they laughed if they knew I was sick.” He eventually found purpose in going public, explaining: “Eventually, I understood that accepting Parkinson’s didn’t mean I had to surrender to it. It just meant doing what I could for everyone living with this disease. So I set out to advocate for patients’ needs and raise money, and to propel us towards a cure.” His closing message: “When it starts getting tough, you show up, you help, and if you get a little joy while you’re doing it, that’s even better.” In other award categories, Scottish presenter Alan Cumming took home Best Reality Host for the U.S. adaptation of *The Traitors*, which also won Best Reality Series. Joking that “it is so beautiful that a show about treachery and betrayal brings people together,” Cumming also thanked his dog Lala, his “perfect co-host,” and delivered the night’s only major political message, urging U.S. citizens to register to vote ahead of November’s midterm elections. Longtime late-night host Stephen Colbert closed out the major awards with a win for Outstanding Variety Series for *The Late Show*, which wrapped its run in May after years on air. Colbert highlighted the role late-night television plays in nurturing new talent, saying that nightly talk shows are a “fantastic incubator for young people to come in, work professionally, on a deadline, in collaboration, and that is the future of our business that we have to look after.” Signing off, he thanked audiences for their years of support: “Thank you so much for watching, we hope you enjoyed the show, we had a great time doing it for you. That’s it, thank you, and catch you on the flip.” From record-breaking wins to moving celebrations of industry legends, the 2026 Emmys will go down as one of the most memorable nights in television awards history.

  • Macaulay Culkin honours Catherine O’Hara

    Macaulay Culkin honours Catherine O’Hara

    Long after their iconic on-screen collaboration became a staple of holiday film canon, Macaulay Culkin has publicly honored his former *Home Alone* co-star Catherine O’Hara, celebrating the lasting impact she has had on both his career and the entertainment industry at large.

    The pair first shared the screen in 1990’s classic Christmas comedy *Home Alone*, where O’Hara portrayed Kate McCallister, the panicked mother of Culkin’s character Kevin McCallister, who is accidentally left behind when his family rushes off for a European vacation. The film became a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $476 million worldwide and cementing both actors’ places in pop culture history, with annual holiday reruns introducing their work to new generations of viewers.

    Culkin, who has stepped back into the public eye in recent years with various projects and public appearances, used the platform to highlight O’Hara’s talents beyond her widely lauded role in the *Home Alone* franchise. He pointed to her decades-long career, which includes fan-favorite work on *Schitt’s Creek*, multiple acclaimed film roles, and her roots in sketch comedy with *SCTV*, noting that her ability to balance heart, humor, and authenticity has made her one of the most respected performers in Hollywood.

    Details of the tribute, which came during a recent entertainment industry event, highlight the enduring bond between the co-stars that has persisted more than three decades after their hit film first hit theaters. Fans of both performers have celebrated the public recognition, sharing clips and photos of the tribute across social media and sparking renewed conversation about the lasting legacy of *Home Alone* and O’Hara’s decades-long contribution to entertainment.

  • In pictures: Stars on red carpet at Emmy Awards in LA

    In pictures: Stars on red carpet at Emmy Awards in LA

    The most prestigious night in American television unfolded on Monday at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, where A-list celebrities from across the industry gathered for the 2026 Emmy Awards, celebrating the most outstanding scripted and unscripted television content from the past year. Ditching the traditional crimson walking surface, this year’s event welcomed stars onto a custom-designed blue carpet, where the biggest names in TV posed for photos and spoke with press ahead of the award ceremony.

    Leading the pack of fan-favorite celebrity attendees was Zendaya, who turned heads in a sparkling, floor-length jeweled Prada gown. Multi-hyphenate star Selena Gomez also stepped out for the event, earning a nomination this year as both a producer and lead cast member of the hit Hulu comedy series *Only Murders In The Building*. She was joined on the carpet by her *Only Murders* co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short, who brought their iconic comedic double act to the pre-show arrivals. Other A-list stars in attendance included Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman, BAFTA-winner Colman Domingo, and fan-favorite actor Harrison Ford, who attended alongside his wife, three-time Emmy nominee Calista Flockhart.

    Notable moments from the red carpet included Megan Stalter, a supporting comedy actress nominee for her work on *Hacks*, who leaned into the night’s excitement by arriving in a full costume styled after the iconic Emmy statuette. Pregnant actress Kaley Cuoco also made an appearance alongside her husband Tom Pelphrey, who walked away with the night’s award for best supporting drama actor for his work on *Task*. The ceremony was hosted by *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* lead star Mariska Hargitay, with special guest presenters including Florence Pugh, Odessa A’zion, Emmy Rossum and Rachel Sennott.

    The night brought historic firsts for multiple honorees: Welsh actor Matthew Rhys made history as the night’s biggest winner, taking home two separate acting trophies for his work on *The Beast In Me* and *Widow’s Bay*. The medical drama *The Pitt* emerged as one of the ceremony’s most recognized projects, earning eight individual acting nominations, with lead star Noah Wyle taking home the prize for best drama actor. Rhea Seehorn claimed the award for best leading drama actress for her work on *Pluribus*, while Allison Janney extended her own record, earning the eighth Emmy Award of her decades-long career for best supporting actress in a drama for *The Diplomat*. Shailene Woodley won best guest actress in a drama for *Paradise*, and Sally Field took home an acting win for *Remarkably Bright Creatures*, also using her time on stage to pay tribute to country music icon Dolly Parton.

    Beloved actor Michael J. Fox received one of the night’s highest honors, accepting the Television Academy’s Bob Hope Humanitarian Award alongside his wife Tracy Pollan. Multiple standout programs took home major awards over the course of the evening, including *DTF St Louis*, *Widow’s Bay*, *The Pitt* and *Hacks*. Other nominated programs in major categories included *Margo’s Got Money Troubles*, *Beef*, *Shrinking*, *The Gilded Age*, *Abbott Elementary*, and *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms*, the *Game of Thrones* spin-off that earned a best drama series nomination and introduced 11-year-old English child star Dexter Sol Ansell to global audiences on the night.

  • A history of Bob Mackie’s designs: in pictures

    A history of Bob Mackie’s designs: in pictures

    The world of high fashion is mourning the loss of one of its most iconic and influential creators, Bob Mackie, who passed away at the age of 87. Over a decades-long career that spanned the evolution of Hollywood from the golden age to the modern era, Mackie built his legacy crafting bold, glamorous couture defined by his signature combination of sparkling embellishments, plush feathers, and intricate hand beading, dressing every generation of A-list stars along the way.

    Mackie’s talent caught the eye of the entertainment industry almost immediately. At just 21 years old, he earned an early career credit for sketching the form-fitting nude illusion dress that Marilyn Monroe wore when she delivered her legendary, sultry performance of “Happy Birthday Mr. President” to President John F. Kennedy in 1962 — a design that remains one of the most famous garments in pop culture history more than 60 years later.

    Throughout the second half of the 20th century, Mackie collaborated with some of the biggest names in music and film, creating custom pieces that amplified their public personas and made history at red carpets and on stage. In 1975, he worked with Elton John to design a showstopping sequinned baseball uniform that the superstar wore for his landmark performance at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium, a look that remains synonymous with John’s over-the-top 1970s era. His decades-long creative partnership with Cher, one of his most famous muses, began in the 1970s: in 1978, she posed for portraits in a sleek bugle-beaded Mackie gown, kicking off a collaboration that would produce countless iconic looks. By 1985, the pair walked the Met Gala red carpet together, with Cher turning heads in a long-sleeved gilded bodysuit designed to look like sparkling leaves wrapping around her frame. Three years later, she commanded attention at the 1986 Oscars in one of Mackie’s most daring designs: a black diamond-cut lattice ensemble paired with a dramatic feather headdress.

    Other 20th century stars flocked to Mackie for his ability to blend drama, glamour, and personality into every garment. Spanish entertainer Charo stepped out in a full glittering sequin Mackie gown in 1980 Los Angeles, while Tina Turner brought a disco-inspired sequined Mackie design to her 1982 London performance. At the 1991 Academy Awards, Madonna made a splash in a jewel-encrusted strapless Mackie gown offset by a luxurious fur stole that wrapped across her arms. By the turn of the century, Mackie remained a go-to for industry royalty: Diana Ross walked the 2001 American Fashion Awards red carpet arm-in-arm with the designer, wearing a sapphire-toned sparkly Mackie gown under a statement fur coat, and Beyoncé wowed audiences at the 2005 Kennedy Center Honors in Mackie’s fiery iconic flame-themed performance gown.

    Far from being a relic of 20th century Hollywood, Mackie’s vision continued to resonate with 21st century stars, proving the timelessness of his bold, glittering aesthetic. Miley Cyrus brought vintage Mackie back into the spotlight when she wore a retro minidress by the designer for her 2023 New Year’s Eve television special, and later paid explicit tribute to him at the 2024 Grammy Awards in a shimmering silver Mackie creation. Zendaya graced the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame red carpet in a showstopping Mackie gown criss-crossed with rhinestones, gold, and white bugle beads, while Sabrina Carpenter leaned into nostalgic Mackie glamour at the 2024 MTV Awards in a pearl and crystal-embellished gown that nodded to Madonna’s famous 1990 Oscar look.

    Nicknamed the Sultan of Sequins, the Rajah of Rhinestones, and the Guru of Glitter by fans and peers alike, Bob Mackie leaves behind a legacy of designs that balance timeless appeal with bold, unapologetic daring. His ability to create pieces that felt fresh and exciting, even when they drew inspiration from bygone eras of glamour, cemented his status as one of the most influential fashion designers in entertainment history.

  • Watch: Selena Gomez, Zendaya and other stars light up Emmys red carpet

    Watch: Selena Gomez, Zendaya and other stars light up Emmys red carpet

    Hollywood’s biggest names stepped out for one of television’s most prestigious nights on Sunday, trading the iconic crimson red carpet for a stunning ocean-blue alternative ahead of the Primetime Emmy Awards, the annual ceremony that celebrates outstanding achievement in U.S. television programming. Among the most anticipated arrivals were global superstars Selena Gomez and Zendaya, both of whom turned heads with bold, fashion-forward ensembles that quickly dominated social media conversation. The pair were joined by dozens of A-list actors, directors, producers, and other industry luminaries, who used the high-profile red carpet (reimagined for this year’s event) as a platform to showcase cutting-edge designer couture and catch up with peers ahead of the televised ceremony. Organizers opted for the blue carpet redesign as a subtle thematic nod to this year’s event, which has drawn record viewership interest following a year of standout original programming across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. Fans around the world tuned in to live coverage of the red carpet arrivals hours before the first award was handed out, with many taking to social platforms to share their favorite looks and cheer on their favorite television stars and programs. The Primetime Emmys, widely considered the highest honor in American television, has long kicked off its broadcast with the star-studded red carpet procession, a cultural tradition that gives audiences a rare glimpse at the industry’s most beloved figures outside of their on-screen roles.

  • Legendary costume designer Bob Mackie dies aged 87

    Legendary costume designer Bob Mackie dies aged 87

    Legendary American fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie, whose glittering, boundary-pushing creations dressed some of the biggest names in entertainment from Cher to Elton John, has passed away at the age of 87.

    The official confirmation of his death came via a statement posted to his Instagram account on Monday, which read: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr Bob Mackie passed away today. He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a Fashion and Costume Designer, which is all he ever wanted to do. His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.”

    Widely nicknamed the “Sultan of Sequins” for his signature love of sparkling, embellished designs, Mackie carved out an unparalleled career spanning more than six decades, earning a Tony Award, nine Emmy Awards, and three Academy Award nominations for his work across stage and screen. Even in his final years, he remained active in the industry: last year, Sabrina Carpenter wore one of his custom designs to the MTV Video Music Awards, and in 2024, Miley Cyrus stepped out in a Mackie creation for her Grammy Awards performance, where she took home the award for Record of the Year for her hit single *Flowers*.

    One of Mackie’s most iconic contributions to fashion history came from his decades-long collaboration with superstar Cher, which reshaped public perceptions of bold fashion on red carpets and television. His most famous work for the singer remains the groundbreaking Mohawk-inspired ensemble Cher wore to the 1986 Academy Awards, a piece widely known as her “revenge outfit”. Cher had been widely expected to earn an Oscar nomination for her leading role in *Mask* that year, but was snubbed by voters. In the 2024 documentary *Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion*, Cher explained that the striking look was intentional: “I didn’t get nominated for a movie that everyone thought I would actually win for [Mask] – so was dressing that night for a kind of revenge.”

    The showgirl-inspired costume featured a towering plumed Mohawk headdress and left the star’s midriff completely exposed, a choice that shocked audiences and critics alike in the 1980s. The look has since been cemented in pop culture and fashion history as one of the most daring, extravagant red carpet designs of all time. In a 2010 interview with the BBC, Mackie reflected on his early work with Cher, noting that she stood out from every other performer in the industry at the time: “Everybody just went crazy over this woman as she could wear anything.” Mackie’s designs also helped Cher make television history, when she became the first woman to show her belly button on U.S. broadcast television.

    Beyond his work with Cher, Mackie created some of the most recognizable stage costumes for music’s biggest stars. One of his most famous creations is the bedazzled Los Angeles Dodgers uniform Elton John wore for his historic 1975 performances at Dodger Stadium, a look that remains one of the singer’s most iconic. Following news of Mackie’s death, Elton John paid tribute to the designer in an Instagram post, writing: “Every time I put something on that Bob made, I felt very, very special. His costumes were works of art, and he will go down as one of the most legendary designers ever in Hollywood.”

    Pop singer Pink, who wore multiple Mackie designs throughout her career including the entire wardrobe for her 2009 Funhouse tour, also shared a heartfelt tribute. “I was so lucky to be dressed by him for so long. He was loving, wickedly funny and an absolute genius,” she wrote, adding a playful, fitting tribute: “There are going to be some fabulously dressed angels.”

    Born Robert Gordon Mackie in Monterey Park, California in 1939, Mackie got his start in the industry as a sketch artist for prominent French-American costume designer Jean Louis. One of his earliest career assignments saw him sketch the iconic sheer nude dress Marilyn Monroe wore when she sang her legendary rendition of *Happy Birthday, Mr. President* to John F. Kennedy in 1962.

    In his personal life, Mackie married Hollywood singer and actress Lulu Porter in 1960, and the pair welcomed a son, Robin, before divorcing three years later. Robin passed away from an AIDS-related illness in his early 30s. From 1963 until his partner Ray Aghayan’s death in 2011, Mackie shared his life and work with Iranian fashion designer Aghayan. In a 2018 interview with *The Guardian*, the designer, then 79, joked that he was the oldest active working designer in Hollywood. When asked if he ever planned to retire, he gave a simple, firm answer: “I hope not.”

  • Emmy Awards: How to watch, who is nominated and why Heated Rivalry is missing

    Emmy Awards: How to watch, who is nominated and why Heated Rivalry is missing

    The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, the most prestigious honorary event in the U.S. television industry, is set to kick off on Monday at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, bringing together the brightest talents from across the small screen. Months of speculation around the full nominations list have now come to a head, with clear fan favorites and unexpected snubs already shaping the narrative ahead of the live telecast.

    This year’s awards are split across three core program categories: drama, comedy, and limited/anthology series, with several structural changes designed to refresh the ceremony. Organizers have merged the best talk series and best scripted variety series into a single outstanding variety series category, and shifted eight previously main-ceremony awards to the earlier Creative Arts Emmys weekend. This cuts the total number of trophies awarded during the live Monday telecast from 26 to 19, freeing up more airtime for live musical performances, comedic segments and unscripted acceptance speeches.

    In the top-rated drama category, last year’s winner *The Pitt* returns to defend its title following the release of its second season. The acclaimed medical drama leads all scripted series this year with eight individual acting nominations, including a best drama actor nod for lead star Noah Wyle. Other standout nominees for best drama include *Pluribus*, *Slow Horses*, *The Diplomat*, and *A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms*, the latest prequel to the global hit *Game of Thrones*.

    Over in the comedy categories, the fifth and final season of Hollywood satire *Hacks* is widely tipped to extend the show’s historic winning streak. Both leading stars Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder are nominated for acting prizes, with Smart on the cusp of making awards history: a win this year would bring her total career Emmy count to eight, tying the all-time record currently held by Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman. Top competitors for comedy honors include *Widow’s Bay*, *Shrinking*, *Abbott Elementary* and *Nobody Wants This*, with multiple cast members from *Abbott Elementary* already earning acting nods.

    In the limited and anthology series race, Netflix’s *Beef* season two emerges as a strong contender, with lead stars Carey Mulligan and Oscar Isaac both landing acting nominations. It faces stiff competition from buzzy contenders including *All Her Fault*, *The Beast in Me* and *DTF St Louis*, which already notched two early wins at the recent Creative Arts Emmys. DTF St Louis stars Linda Cardellini and David Harbour took home best supporting actress and actor in a limited series honors during the pre-telecast ceremonies.

    A total of seven British performers have earned acting nominations this year, alongside Mulligan: Riz Ahmed for *Bait*, Rufus Sewell for *The Diplomat*, Kate O’Flynn for *Widow’s Bay*, Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden for *Slow Horses*, and Matthew Rhys, who made history as a double nominee in two separate lead actor categories: comedy for *Widow’s Bay* and limited series for *The Beast in Me*.

    One of the biggest talking points ahead of the ceremony is the absence of the year’s biggest viral sensation, the ice hockey romance *Heated Rivalry* starring Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams. The Canadian-produced series was deemed ineligible for this year’s awards because it lacks required U.S. production involvement, a rule that confused many observers who point to 2021’s big *Schitt’s Creek* sweep. However, *Schitt’s Creek* qualified for inclusion thanks to U.S. broadcast and financing partnerships, including an American-based production company led by creator Dan Levy. *Heated Rivalry* will instead compete in the 2026 International Emmys, set to take place in New York this November.

    Two other fan-favorite shows with strong youth followings also underperformed in nominations despite meeting eligibility requirements. The final season of Netflix’s *Stranger Things* only earned seven nominations, all in technical categories, with no nods for the show in the top drama categories. Similarly, the final season of HBO’s *Euphoria* only landed one acting nomination, with former winner Zendaya being the only cast member from the series to earn a spot on the nominations list.

    The Creative Arts Emmys, held last weekend ahead of the main ceremony, handed out honors across a range of craft and supporting categories. Other early winners include Julie Andrews, who took home best voiceover performance for *Bridgerton*, Alan Cumming who won best reality host for the U.S. adaptation of *The Traitors*, and *Remarkably Bright Creatures*, the drama starring Sally Field and Lewis Pullman, which won best made-for-TV movie. Additional early winners include *South Park* for best animated series, *Mr. Scorsese* for best docuseries, *Love on the Spectrum* for best unstructured reality programme, and Bad Bunny’s 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show for best variety special.

    This year’s main ceremony will be hosted by veteran television star Mariska Hargitay, the lead of NBC’s long-running crime drama *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*. Hargitay, who has earned eight Emmy nominations and one win for her role as detective Olivia Benson, is set to preside over the event as her show prepares to air its 28th season and 600th episode this autumn. She also picked up two honors at last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys for her documentary *My Mom Jayne*, which explores the life of her mother, iconic 1950s actress Jayne Mansfield, who died in a car crash when Hargitay was just three years old.

    “It’s my great honour to host the 78th Emmy Awards and celebrate this extraordinary community of storytellers,” Hargitay said in a pre-ceremony statement. “Whether it’s an actor or a director, a costumer or a sound designer, we are all so privileged to take part in creating television that unites us.”

    For viewers tuning in, the ceremony will begin at 5:00 p.m. PT / 8:00 p.m. ET on Monday. U.S. audiences can stream the event live on Peacock or broadcast it on NBC. In the UK, the ceremony will start at 1:00 a.m. BST on Tuesday, with no scheduled live broadcast on domestic television, but the BBC News website will provide live overnight coverage of the red carpet and awards announcements.

  • Critics celebrate Céline Dion’s ‘high-stakes’ comeback show in Paris

    Critics celebrate Céline Dion’s ‘high-stakes’ comeback show in Paris

    After six years away from the full concert stage and a years-long battle with a rare disabling health condition, global pop icon Céline Dion has finally stepped back into the spotlight, launching her highly anticipated 26-show residency at Paris La Défense Arena – Europe’s largest indoor concert venue – on Saturday.

    The 58-year-old Canadian singing legend, one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, in 2022. The progressive condition forced her to step away from all touring activities, cutting short her 2020 world tour after a final stop in New Jersey just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down live events globally. Dion only returned to the public stage once before this residency, performing a single song at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games closing ceremony.

    Addressing a packed crowd of nearly 30,000 adoring fans, Dion opened her set with an emotional, heartfelt address that reflected her years-long fight to return. “I made a promise to come back, to be back on stage. And here I am. Singing for you, and singing for me,” she told the audience. Quoting one of her most beloved hits, she added, “I am everything I am because you loved me.”

    Multiple times throughout the opening night performance, Dion was overcome with emotion, breaking into tears mid-set after finishing a song. “I had promised myself not to cry,” she admitted to the crowd. “But I’m so happy to see you all. I missed you.”

    According to early reviews from entertainment journalists on the ground, the singer started her set 50 minutes late, leading The Mirror’s Lucy Needham to speculate she needed extra time to compose herself ahead of the emotionally charged performance. Needham noted that after opening in a floor-length black gown, Dion changed into a tailored trouser suit later in the set, allowing her to show off the playful, signature dance moves her fans know and love. By the end of the night, she wrote, Dion looked to be “having the time of her life, gyrating and slapping her thighs with glee.”

    The Telegraph’s Neil McCormick described the opening night as “a tense, tearful, joyous affair” that carried more emotional weight for Dion herself than even for her most loyal fans. McCormick observed that Dion started the performance slowly, with a vocal tone that felt fragile and exposed at first, but retained her instantly recognizable tone rather than relying on manufactured auto-tune. “At first, she was clearly struggling to hold herself together. Her vocals wobbled dangerously, as if about to crack or collapse. But she was gaining confidence with every moment back on stage,” he wrote, labeling the comeback “the riskiest comeback in the history of showbusiness” given her ongoing health challenges. Ultimately, McCormick praised the new, more authentic edge to Dion’s performance: “I honestly think I prefer this less superhuman Céline. Her voice is still great, but a bit more raw and real, with a rougher tone, less smoothness in the runs and more edge to her whoops and shrieks.”

    Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reporter Sarah Leavitt, covering the event from Paris, said the 30,000-person crowd was left “without words” by Dion’s performance, admitting she was unable to hold back her own tears despite expecting it. Will Hodgkinson of The Times of London called the performance “miraculous” and “overwhelming,” noting that Dion entered the stage looking appropriately humbled and tearful, throwing unfiltered affection toward the crowd that reciprocated the love immediately. “Truly, she was throwing the love at the crowd, who threw it right back at her. There was no holding back. It was quite overwhelming, actually,” he wrote. He added that Dion, a Canadian artist with deeply rooted affection for France, fulfilled her role as “a diva with the common touch” with unmatched energy and charm.

    Variety’s Elsa Keslassy highlighted the thoughtful, cinematic production design of the residency, noting the concert carried a spiritual, pilgrimage-like tone, with visual interludes referencing themes of journey and resilience. The set features a sweeping monumental staircase, a large illuminated moon centerpiece, and a stark brutalist gray backdrop, with pre-recorded video clips showing Dion wandering through a desert landscape – a visual metaphor for her years-long journey back to the stage.

    Dion has long been open about her approach to living with stiff person syndrome, telling French Vogue in 2024 that she refused to let the diagnosis control her future. “The way I see it, I have two choices. Either I train like an athlete and work super hard, or I switch off and it’s over,” she said at the time. “I’ve chosen to work with all my body and soul, from head to toe, with a medical team.”

    The demand for Dion’s Paris residency has been unprecedented. When tickets for the original run went on sale earlier this year, nine million fans registered for early access, according to French outlet FIP. The original 26 shows sold out within minutes, prompting Dion’s team to add an extra 10 performances scheduled for May 2027, which also sold out completely shortly after they were announced.

    Even fans who were unable to secure tickets have not been left out of the celebration of Dion’s comeback, which has swept across Paris in recent weeks. The city has hosted a wide range of Dion-themed events for fans, from tribute boat cruises along the Seine featuring costume contests, group sing-alongs, and DJ sets running throughout September, to massive public karaoke events organized by Paris City Hall that drew thousands of attendees the night before the opening show.

    Fans who could not get into the arena gathered outside Dion’s Paris hotel as early as 6 a.m. local time on Saturday just to catch a glimpse of the star ahead of the show. “I couldn’t get tickets to the concert. I’m still keeping my fingers crossed and hoping, but I thought to myself: at least I can share a moment here with all the fans,” attendee Rania told Reuters of the public celebration.

    Dion’s Paris residency is scheduled to run through September, October, and into early 2026, giving hundreds of thousands of fans the chance to see the legendary singer’s historic return to the stage.

  • Diljit Dosanjh makes history under the famous Wembley arch

    Diljit Dosanjh makes history under the famous Wembley arch

    Beneath the iconic glowing arch of London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, a modified version of Indian superstar Diljit Dosanjh’s signature opening call echoed through the 90,000-seat venue: “Punjabi Aa Gaye Wembley Oye!” – translated, “The Punjabis have arrived at Wembley!”

    This iteration of Dosanjh’s standard concert opening carried far more weight than usual: the Punjab native has officially become the first Punjabi singer ever to headline the world-famous arena, marking a groundbreaking milestone for Punjabi music and culture on the global stage. Addressing the packed crowd ahead of his set, Dosanjh framed the moment as one for the history books before launching into a career-spanning set of his biggest hits, from chart-toppers *G.O.A.T.* to *Lover*, accompanied by thumping traditional Bhangra beats that sent the audience into cheers.

    Dosanjh’s path to Wembley’s main stage has been two decades in the making, built on a steady rise that turned a small-village artist from Punjab into a global phenomenon with a massive cross-continental fanbase. Along the way, he has topped international music charts, collaborated with A-list stars including Ed Sheeran and Sia, and even showed off his iconic Bhangra dance moves alongside US talk show host Jimmy Fallon, who famously dubbed him “the biggest Punjabi artist on the planet.” This Wembley headline set only solidifies that status, a dream come true according to the artist himself, who spoke exclusively to BBC backstage ahead of the show.

    Hype for the historic performance built for hours across west London, with fans arriving long before gates opened to claim their spots. The crowd was majority South Asian, but drew attendees from across communities and backgrounds, with many comparing Dosanjh’s cultural status to that of global icons Michael Jackson and Madonna. “He’s so good looking, and so down to earth,” one fan told reporters ahead of the show.

    When Dosanjh stepped onto the stage shortly after 8pm, clad in traditional Punjabi attire, the stadium erupted into screams that barely let up across the two-and-a-half-hour set. Famous for his high-energy live performances, he wowed the crowd with dynamic dance routines to fan favorites including *Hass Hass* and *Born to Shine*, while his soulful, versatile voice filled the arena. He blended traditional Punjabi folk sounds with contemporary rap and hip-hop influences, creating a sound that feels both rooted in heritage and distinctly modern.

    Throughout the night, the audience waved phone lights, sang every word back to the stage, and joined in synchronized dancing. At points, the front standing section resembled a lively Indian wedding celebration, with crowds mimicking Dosanjh’s intricate dance moves. Despite playing to one of the largest venues in Europe, Dosanjh retained his signature ability to connect with fans on a personal level: he invited dozens of attendees on stage, from young children to an elderly fan, for selfies and personalized gifts, and specifically shouted out the fans in the back rows, calling them “full of heart” and prompting a round of applause just for them.

    Midway through the set, Dosanjh dropped exciting news for fans in his home country: he will bring his historic tour to Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium this November, extending the milestone run of firsts for Punjabi music. The Wembley show closed on an emotional note with Dosanjh’s powerful track *Main Hoon Punjabi* – meaning “I am Punjab” – paired with a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the London night sky.

    “What an incredible show, the energy and vibe was unparalleled!” long-time fans Amit and Rani told the BBC after the set. “We love Diljit and have been to all his shows in the UK. This was something else, a moment in time we won’t forget being a part of.” They added that the show was not just a concert, but a landmark moment to celebrate Punjabi culture as a whole.

    This is far from the first time Dosanjh has made history for Punjabi music. From his humble beginnings in a rural Punjabi village, he became the first Punjabi-language artist to perform at California’s Coachella Music Festival in 2023, and later made his Met Gala debut wearing a stunning traditional Punjabi ensemble that earned global acclaim. He has toured across North America and Europe, and his cross-genre collaborations have introduced Punjabi music to millions of new listeners worldwide.

    Industry analysts and fans alike point to Dosanjh’s unwavering authenticity as the core of his massive appeal. He has never abandoned his roots: he continues to sing primarily in his native Punjabi, wears his turban proudly as a public declaration of his identity, and centers Punjabi culture in every project he takes on. Beyond music, Dosanjh has found success as a Bollywood actor and a viral social media personality, with his humorous Instagram skits – including a popular clip of him teasing a misbehaving Amazon Alexa that couldn’t understand his accent – earning him millions of followers who don’t even follow his music career.

    Wembley Stadium has hosted some of the biggest names in modern music, from Taylor Swift to Coldplay to Harry Styles, but for Dosanjh, this milestone carries a unique weight. Speaking to BBC backstage before the show, he recalled that many people urged him to think twice before booking the massive venue, warning it was too big a stage for a Punjabi-language artist. “I said: ‘We’ll see whatever comes. I want that our people are happy and can say yes, we can do this too!’” he said.

    Following in the footsteps of the global superstars who previously headlined Wembley means more than words can say, he added. “It may not mean as much for someone like Harry Styles, as much as it means for us. He has performed on such stages, but for us, it’s very special. Coming from a village to here – it’s very special.”

    For Dosanjh, the moment is not just a personal win, but a win for his community and the next generation of Punjabi artists. “I feel good. I feel happy. And I feel good for my people. I feel good for the next generation,” he said. Closing out the historic night, he repeated the call that launched the show, confirming that Punjabi music has truly arrived on the global main stage: “We are here. Punjabi Aa Gaye Oye!”