Month: October 2023

Simon & Schuster Audio said that Oscar-nominated actress Michelle Williams will narrate the audiobook of Britney Spears’ memoir The Woman in Me, set for release Oct. 24.

Spears will read an introduction on the audiobook, which will be released simultaneously with the book. Spears said in a news release: “This book has been a labor of love and all the emotions that come with it. Reliving everything has been exciting, heart-wrenching, and emotional, to say the least. For those reasons, I will only be reading a small part of my audiobook. I am so grateful to the amazing Michelle Williams for reading the rest of it.”  Williams expressed her support for Spears in a statement, saying: “I stand with Britney.” 

A synopsis via Simon & Schuster calls the book “a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith and hope. Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’ groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love — and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last.”

The audiobook will be published simultaneously with the other editions of The Woman in Me, available for preorder- here.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Christina Aguilera announced the launch of a new residency show in Las Vegas. The 42-year-old Aguilera shared that “an intimate, seductive and sophisticated” show will debut at Voltaire Belle de Nuitat at The Veteran Resort in Las Vegas.  Aguilera previously had a Vegas residency with her Xperience show at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

Aguilera posted on social media: “Immerse yourself in the fusion of art and music I’m bringing an intimate, seductive and sophisticated new show to Las Vegas. @voltairelv will allow me to be up-close-and-personal with YOU for a truly modern twist on the performance experience”

Aguilera will kick off her residency with a pair of shows Dec. 30 and 31, with future dates to be announced. Each concert will see Aguilera perform through two decades of her hit songs. Aguilera said in a statement: “I look forward to bringing Las Vegas a new show that fuses music, sophistication and art in ways I have never performed before. What I love about the intimacy at Voltaire at The Venetian Resort is how up-close-and-personal I can be with the audience … a truly modern twist on the performance experience.”

Tickets are on sale now; head to Voltaire’s website for more information.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Actress Suzanne Somers died peacefully at home on October 15 at the age of 76, one day shy of her 77th birthday on October 16th.

Somers’ publicist R. Couri Hay shared the news of her death in a statement: “She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years,” nothing that Somers’ husband Alan Hamel, son Bruce Somers Jr., 57 and her immediate family were by her side. The statement added that “they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly. A private family burial will take place this week, with a memorial to follow next month.”

Somers, perhaps best known for her role on the hit sitcom ‘Three’s Company,’ gave fans an update on her ongoing health battle in July; she was first diagnosed with cancer in 2000: “Since I have been taking time off from work, many of you have asked for more details about my health. As you know, I had breast cancer two decades ago, and every now and then it pops up again, and I continue to bat it down. I have used the best alternative and conventional treatments to combat it. This is not new territory for me I know how to put on my battle gear. Alan has been by my side every step of the way. I can’t even explain how much he has done for me. If it’s even possible, we are even closer than ever. My incredible family has been so supportive, and have helped so much by keeping the business running so you can still have access to all the wonderful products. Thank you for the continued love and support. It’s only about who you love and who loves you – and I love you!”

Somers landed the role of Chrissy Snow on ABC’s sitcom “Three’s Company” in 1977 opposite John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt, exiting the series after five seasons over contract disputes. In 1990, Somers starred in ABC’s “Step by Step” opposite Patrick Duffy; the series ran for seven seasons.

Somers is survived by her husband, Alan Hamel, and her son Bruce Jr. (whom she shared with her ex-husband, Bruce Somers). Somers was also a step-parent to Stephen and Leslie Hamel from her husband’s previous marriage, and grandmother to six grandchildren.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

‘Taylor Swift: Eras Tour’ concert film dominated the weekend box office in theaters around the world. Per The Hollywood Reporter, it is estimated that the film earned between $95 million and $97 million in its opening weekend at the domestic box office, becoming the top-grossing concert film of all time in North America. The 33-year-old Swift kicked off her record-breaking Eras Tour in Arizona in March. Just after wrapping the first U.S. leg of the tour in August, she announced that the concert would be heading to theaters.

Heading into the weekend, AMC estimated that the ‘Eras Tour’ film would earn a projected $100 million domestically, while others thought it could open to between $100 million and $125 million However, experts are now speculating that ‘Eras’ fell short of $100 million domestically because there was no walk-up business.

‘Taylor Swift: Eras Tour’ film topped ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ in second place at the domestic weekend box office, earning $11 million. ‘PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie’ was in third with $7 million, with ‘Saw X’ in fourth with $5.6 million and ‘The Creator’ rounding out the top five with $4.3 million.

AMC’s executive vp of worldwide programming and chief content officer said in a statement: “We are grateful to Taylor Swift for allowing us to make Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour concert film accessible to millions of fans in movie theaters around the world. Her spectacular performance delighted fans, who dressed up and danced through the film.”

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

“The Spiderwick Chronicles” series adaptation has found a new home at Roku, moving from Disney+ after they scrapped it in August.

Roku announced it has acquired the exclusive U.S. rights to the fantasy adventure series. The eight-episode show, based on the hit book series of the same name, will debut on The Roku Channel in early 2024. Brian Tannenbaum, head of originals for Roku Media, shared: “It is an honor to bring ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles,’ a spectacular adventure-filled story led by the incredible Christian Slater and Joy Bryant, exclusively to The Roku Channel. We cannot wait to introduce this exquisitely crafted series, imagined by a world-class creative team, to millions of streamers.”

The official synopsis of the show described the series as a “coming-of-age story of the Grace Family, as they move from New York to Michigan and into their family’s ancestral home. Upon arrival, the family not only uncovers mysteries hidden inside their great grandfather’s Spiderwick Estate, but also discovers a secret, fantastical world around them.”

The cast of ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles” includes Joy Bryant as Helen Grace, Noah Cottrell as Simon Grace, Lyon Daniels as Jared Grace, Mychala Lee as Mallory Grace, Jack Dylan Grazer as the voice of Thimbletack, and Christian Slater as Mulgarath.

Editorial credit: Dylanhatfield / Shutterstock.com

A new trailer for the upcoming movie musical remake of The Color Purple was released, featuring Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks and a first look at Taraji P. Henson’s performance of “Push Da Button” as her character, Shug Avery.

The Color Purple is based on the Broadway musical and Alice Walker novel of the same name, and is described as a “bold new take” on Walker’s novel, which follows “the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond.”  Phylicia Mpasi and Barrino play younger and older versions of Celie, with Halle Bailey and Ciara as younger and older versions of Nettie. Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins and H.E.R. also star.

Walker’s novel was previously adapted as a 1985 film, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey. The musical remake of the film is directed by Blitz Bazawule, with Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders, and Steven Spielberg serving as producers.

The Color Purple opens in theaters Dec. 25; take a look at the trailer – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com