分类： entertainment

The entertainment world is grieving the passing of Emmy-winning comedic actress Catherine O’Hara, who died at age 71 following a brief illness at her Los Angeles home on Friday. The Canadian icon, celebrated for her remarkable versatility and unparalleled comic timing, leaves behind an indelible legacy spanning five decades of film and television.

Tributes poured in from Hollywood’s elite, with Meryl Streep commemorating O’Hara’s ability to bring ‘love and light to our world through whip-smart compassion for the collection of eccentrics she portrayed.’ The actresses had previously collaborated in the 1980s comedy ‘Heartburn,’ with Streep characterizing the loss as profound for both personal connections and the audiences who cherished her performances.

O’Hara’s career encompassed iconic roles that became cultural touchstones. She achieved household recognition as Kate McCallister in the ‘Home Alone’ franchise and delivered memorable performances in Tim Burton’s ‘Beetlejuice’ (1988) and its 2024 sequel. Burton himself shared a poignant cast photo on social media, writing: ‘Catherine, I love you. This picture shows how much light you gave to all of us.’

Her recent career resurgence came through the critically acclaimed series ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ where her portrayal of the eccentric Moira Rose earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in 2021. Co-creator Dan Levy described her as ‘family before she ever played my family,’ emphasizing the deep personal bonds formed during production.

Michael Keaton, her ‘Beetlejuice’ co-star, reflected on their long professional relationship: ‘We go back before the first Beetlejuice. She’s been my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis and my real life, true friend. This one hurts.’

Beyond her acting prowess, O’Hara was celebrated for her influence on comedy itself. Ben Stiller noted it was ‘hard to explain the impact she had on comedy,’ asserting there was ‘no one better.’ Director Christopher Guest, who collaborated with her on four films including ‘Waiting for Guffman,’ called her ‘one of the comic giants of our age.’

Her ‘Home Alone’ son Macaulay Culkin posted an emotional Instagram tribute: ‘Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say.’

O’Hara’s impact extended beyond Hollywood to her native Canada, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described her as a ‘beloved Canadian icon’ and comedian Mike Myers noted her passing marked ‘a very sad day for comedy and for Canada.’

She is survived by her husband Bo Welch, whom she married in 1992, their two sons Matthew and Luke, and six siblings. O’Hara remains nominated posthumously at the upcoming Actor Awards for her role in Seth Rogen’s Hollywood satire ‘The Studio.’

A new documentary offering a curated glimpse into Melania Trump’s world has sparked both public fascination and significant controversy. ‘Melania: 20 Days to History,’ co-produced by the First Lady herself and director Brett Ratner, premiered in U.S. theaters this Friday, presenting a carefully constructed narrative of her transition into the White House during the lead-up to her husband’s January 2025 inauguration.

The film arrives amidst a turbulent political climate, with its release timing criticized as insensitive following fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis. Despite this backdrop, the documentary deliberately sidesteps political discourse, focusing instead on the First Lady’s personal journey, her meticulous attention to detail in event planning and fashion, and her navigation of grief following her mother’s death in January 2024.

Viewers are offered intimate, though often superficial, moments: Melania reviewing fabric swatches with her long-time stylist Hervé Pierre, discussing mutual interests with France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron, and privately mourning her mother. The documentary reveals her musical preferences, including a fondness for Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean,’ and captures her candid admission of the challenges inherent in her ‘structured’ role, which affords ‘fewer quiet moments.’

President Donald Trump appears sparingly, primarily to offer praise, stating on camera that his wife ‘has done a great job.’ Notably absent are deeper explorations of Trump family dynamics or substantive policy discussions. The film instead portrays Melania’s philosophy of using her influence to ‘fight for those in need,’ exemplified by an emotional meeting with former Israeli hostage Aviva Siegel.

The project’s association with Amazon MGM Studios—which reportedly spent $40 million for rights and $35 million on marketing—has drawn scrutiny from government watchdogs, questioning the optics of such financial investment during heightened billionaire access to the White House. Furthermore, the involvement of director Brett Ratner, previously accused of sexual misconduct, has added another layer of controversy. Despite these criticisms, initial screenings attracted supportive, flag-attired audiences who cheered throughout, highlighting the deeply polarized reception of a documentary that seeks to redefine a famously enigmatic figure.

In a significant restructuring of its awards system, the Recording Academy has divided the Grammy for Best Country Album into two distinct categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Contemporary Country Album. This decision comes precisely one year after Beyoncé’s groundbreaking victory in the category with her album ‘Cowboy Carter,’ which sparked both celebration and controversy within the country music establishment.

The reorganization, announced ahead of this Sunday’s Grammy ceremony, represents the Academy’s response to decades of genre evolution that have seen country music increasingly incorporate elements from pop, rap, and hip-hop. While some critics have interpreted the timing as a reaction to Beyoncé’s unexpected win, Academy officials maintain that the change resulted from years of deliberation within the country music community.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. emphasized that the category split had been proposed multiple times before finally gaining approval from voting members in 2025. ‘The addition of the Traditional Country Album category creates space to celebrate even more music and the many artists who are shaping the genre’s future,’ Mason stated in an official communication.

The 2026 nominations reflect this new dichotomy. The contemporary category features both established country acts like Miranda Lambert and Eric Church alongside genre-blending artists like rapper-turned-country star Jelly Roll and pop-country singer Kelsea Ballerini. Meanwhile, the traditional category showcases living legend Willie Nelson alongside emerging talents including his son Lukas Nelson and critically acclaimed artist Charley Crockett—the only person of color nominated in this division.

Music historian Jason King from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music noted that while Beyoncé’s win may have accelerated the change, conversations about category division had been ongoing for years. King referenced Lil Nas X’s 2019 viral hit ‘Old Town Road’ as a previous boundary-pushing moment that challenged genre definitions.

The controversy surrounding Beyoncé’s win highlighted deeper racial tensions within country music, a genre with diverse roots that has historically struggled with representation. Black artists like Darius Rucker, Mickey Guyton, and Kane Brown have previously broken racial barriers in country music, but Beyoncé’s album specifically celebrated the Black origins of the genre, featuring Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens on banjo for her hit ‘Texas Hold ‘Em.’

Despite her Grammy victory, Beyoncé received no nominations from Nashville’s Country Music Association Awards in the same year, underscoring the industry’s ongoing struggle with genre boundaries and inclusion. The Recording Academy’s category split may signal a broader movement toward recognizing country music’s evolving identity while honoring its traditional foundations.

The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Catherine O’Hara, the celebrated Canadian comedic actress who passed away at 71 following a brief illness. Her death at her Los Angeles home on Friday was confirmed by her representative in an official statement to the BBC.

O’Hara’s remarkable career spanned over five decades, beginning at Toronto’s Second City improvisation theatre where she first worked as a waitress before joining the legendary acting troupe. Her breakthrough came through the groundbreaking sketch comedy series Second City Television (SCTV), one of Canada’s most successful television exports, where she performed alongside comedy greats including Eugene Levy and John Candy.

The actress achieved cinematic immortality through two iconic performances that became embedded in popular culture. In Tim Burton’s 1988 supernatural comedy Beetlejuice, O’Hara delivered a mesmerizing musical performance leading her possessed dinner guests in the unforgettable ‘Day-O’ sequence. Two years later, as Kate McCallister in the holiday classic Home Alone, her panicked scream of “Kevin!” became one of the most recognizable moments in film history.

O’Hara experienced a career renaissance through the critically acclaimed comedy series Schitt’s Creek, where her portrayal of the eccentric Moira Rose earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Her character’s fluctuating accent, extravagant wardrobe, and brilliantly delivered one-liners made Moira one of television’s most memorable comic creations.

Tributes poured in from colleagues and admirers worldwide. Macaulay Culkin, her on-screen son from Home Alone, shared an emotional tribute: “Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement honoring O’Hara’s legacy: “Over 5 decades of work, Catherine earned her place in the canon of Canadian comedy — from the iconic Toronto production of Godspell to SCTV to Schitt’s Creek. Canada has lost a legend.”

O’Hara frequently credited her Canadian upbringing with shaping her distinctive comedic perspective, noting in a 2020 Rolling Stone interview that Canadian humor embraced both self-awareness and international perspective without excessive nationalism.

The actress is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, their sons Matthew and Luke, and her siblings Michael, Mary Margaret, Maureen, Marcus, Tom, and Patricia.

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority has inaugurated the fifteenth edition of its acclaimed Light Festival, launching the Light Village experience on January 29, 2026. This annual celebration of Emirati culture and heritage through artistic illumination will officially commence on February 3 and continue through February 15, transforming the emirate’s architectural landmarks into dynamic canvases of light and creativity.

In a significant expansion for 2026, the Light Village will extend its programming into the initial days of Ramadan, continuing through February 22 and offering 25 days of immersive experiences. The festival features groundbreaking light installations by international artists, including Japanese visionary Yasuhiro Chida, whose interactive works blend light, art, and technology within an environmentally conscious framework.

The festival grounds include dedicated children’s play areas and interactive programming suitable for all age groups. Thirteen locations across Sharjah will host light displays, including the Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi House, Al Majaz Waterfront, Sharjah Mosque, Kalba Waterfront, and the historically significant Sharjah Fort.

Admission pricing structure:
– General admission (ages 12+): 20 AED
– Children (3-11 years): 10 AED
– Yasuhiro Chida’s immersive experience (adults): 50 AED
– Yasuhiro Chida’s immersive experience (children): 25 AED
– Combined entry and gallery bundle (adults): 60 AED
– Combined entry and gallery bundle (children): 30 AED
– Full season pass (January 29-February 22): 180 AED

The February 3 opening ceremony will mark the official debut of light shows and interactive experiences throughout the emirate, celebrating cultural heritage through cutting-edge artistic expression.