Variety • 31st August 2020

The Best and Worst Moments of the 2020 MTV VMAs: From the Glory of Lady Gaga to the Black Eyed Peas’ Glowing Members

No one expected this year’s MTV VMAs to be typical. The event, which usually takes place at an arena like New York’s Barclays Center, was forced to go virtual for its 2020 edition due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but that didn’t stop the network from trying its best to keep the spirit of a live show, well, alive.

Variety • 29th August 2020

Remembering Chadwick Boseman: 5 Times the ‘Black Panther’ Star Was a Real-Life Superhero

The world knew star Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, the fearless king of Wakanda who would do anything to protect his people. But the actor — who tragically died after a four-year battle with colon cancer on Friday — was not only a hero on-screen, but off, as well.

Variety • 26th August 2020

50 Cent Talks ‘Power,’ Cancel Culture, Wealth Redistribution and Kanye West’s Election ‘Tampering’

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson doesn’t think he can be canceled. The rapper and television producer, whose newest project, “Power Book II: Ghost” premieres on Starz Sept. 6, said during Variety‘s Entertainment Marketing Summit presented by Deloitte that he doesn’t care whether people love him or hate him – as long as they care.

Variety • 22nd August 2020

Women of Color in the DC Universe Talk Casting Backlash and Importance of Representation

During the DC FanDome virtual event, women of color in the DC universe gathered to discuss their experiences in their roles and why representation is so important and impactful in today’s world.

Variety • 22nd August 2020

Travis Scott Releases New Song ‘The Plan’ From Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’

Travis Scott has shared a new track, “The Plan,” which is featured in Christopher Nolan’s long-awaited film, “Tenet.” Playing into the time-bending elements of “Tenet,” “The Plan” also stays true to Scott’s signature sound. Beginning with an earth-shaking bass loop that forms the foundation for the rest of the beat, the chorus soon interrupts its ominous tone. “You don’t know where we stand / It’s true / Know the plan,” Scott sings in heavy autotune.

Variety • 21st August 2020

‘Tenet’ Reviews: What the Critics Are Saying

Although it’s still up in the air when Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” will be available to all U.S. moviegoers, with many theaters still closed, the reviews are in – and largely positive. “Tenet” is slated for an international premiere on Aug. 26 and will open in select U.S. cities on Sept. 3, after its release date was pushed back three times due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Variety • 20th August 2020

‘The Crown’ Stars Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter on Meeting the Real-Life Royals

Long before Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter were cast as Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret in “The Crown,” they each had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet the members of the royal family that they would one day portray. Though the interactions were short, their impressions impacted how Colman and Carter would represent the family on the Emmy-nominated show, which wrapped its third season in November 2019 and has already been renewed by Netflix for three more.

Variety • 19th August 2020

‘Mrs. America’ Cast and Creators on Portraying Historical Figures With Accuracy and Empathy

The cast and creators of the FX on Hulu limited series “Mrs. America” sought to bring the ’70s feminist movement and the fight surrounding the Equal Rights Amendment to the screen through exploring the personal motivations of its key players.

Variety • 13th August 2020

‘Unorthodox’ Star Shira Haas and Creators Discuss Researching the Hasidic Jewish Community

The creators of the Emmy-nominated limited series “Unorthodox” knew from the beginning that executing a show based on Deborah Feldman’s memoir would be no small feat.

Variety • 13th August 2020

The Best Rom-Coms on Netflix

Known for their cliché storylines, cheesy dialogue and the unrealistic expectations they place on real-life love, rom-coms are not for everyone.

Variety • 11th August 2020

Hollywood Reacts to Kamala Harris Being Named Biden’s VP: ‘Finally a Presidential Ticket That Looks Like America’

Hollywood was left buzzing after Democratic candidate Joe Biden officially announced that Sen. Kamala Harris will be his running mate in this year’s presidential race. Many celebrities shared their reaction to the news on Twitter, including actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner, who celebrated the fact that Harris is the first Black and South Asian woman to join a presidential ticket for a major party.

Variety • 8th August 2020

The Weeknd Debuts New Song, Performs With Doja Cat During 3D TikTok Event

The Weeknd took TikTok viewers to another dimension — and gifted them with a snippet of a brand new song — during “The Weeknd Experience,” an augmented reality, interactive livestream held on the platform Friday night (Aug. 7). With the music industry currently inundated with a slew streaming events and performances, The Weeknd’s record label XO, along with Republic Records and WAVE, Scooter Braun’s virtual concert start-up, joined together in hopes of giving viewers a truly unique experience.

Variety • 7th August 2020

‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ Trailer Features Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield (Watch)

Warner Bros. has released the official trailer for “Judas and the Black Messiah,” a biopic about the assassination of Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton. Directed by Shaka King, the film stars Oscar-nominated actor Daniel Kaluuya as Hampton, chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, and Lakeith Stanfield as William O’Neal, a FBI informant whose betrayal leads to Hampton’s death.

Variety • 4th August 2020

The Best TV Shows on Netflix

This year, people are staying home more and binge-watching television shows on Netflix one of the top couch-bound activities. But, with so many options to choose from, how can you be sure that you’re wasting your time on the right show? Luckily, Variety has compiled a list of the 32 best-rated shows on Netflix for just this reason. Ranging from comedies to docuseries and from old favorites to Netflix originals, one of these shows is sure to become your next TV obsession.

Variety • 23rd July 2020

Rave Family Block Fest Debacle: What Went Wrong?

From the moment it was announced, Rave Family Block Fest felt almost too good to be true: With more than 950 artists — including big names like A-Trak, Zhu, MJ, Maya Jane Coles, Khruangbin and even Paris Hilton — and 85 stages entirely within the game Minecraft, it was positioned as the biggest-ever virtual festival. What’s more, Rave Family and its CEO Jackie McGuire aimed to pay every artist for their participation, a rarity amidst virtual events limited by the restraints of COVID-19.

Variety • 22nd July 2020

Katy Perry, David Guetta, Steve Aoki Preview Tomorrowland Around the World Virtual Festival

Tomorrowland Around the World performers Katy Perry, David Guetta, Steve Aoki, Nervo and Dimitri Vegas joined Tomorrowland co-founder Michiel Beers and moderator Sean Dhondt in an online press conference today to preview what fans can expect from the virtual festival. Scheduled for July 25 and 26 on the Tomorrowland website, Tomorrowland Around the World has combined 3D visuals with innovative game design to present an interactive digital festival meant to mimic the in-person experience.

Variety • 18th July 2020

John Lewis Remembered by Politicians and Celebrities as ‘the Conscience of the Nation’

After news broke that John Lewis had died on Friday, celebrities and politicians alike took to social media to remember the civil rights pioneer and Georgia representative. Lewis died at age 80 of pancreatic cancer after announcing his diagnosis in December.

Variety • 18th July 2020

Robert Downey Jr., Tom Holland Promise Gifts to Boy Who Saved His Sister From Dog Attack

Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Holland have joined their “Avengers” castmates in speaking with 6-year-old Bridger Walker, who saved his younger sister from an attacking dog on July 9. Bridger’s aunt, Nicole Noel Walker, first caught the attention of Captain America actor Chris Evans with an Instagram post on July 12 in which she tagged several “Avengers” actors.

Variety • 16th July 2020

How Def Jam Came to Dominate Major Labels on Social Media

When it comes to social media, Def Jam Recordings is No. 1. No, really — the Universal Music Group label boasts the largest number of followers on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube as well as the highest engagement rate of the major labels, according to analytics gathered by Def Jam, beating Atlantic, Interscope, Columbia, Warner and Republic, among others.

Variety • 15th July 2020

Heather Morris Remembers Naya Rivera: ‘The Strongest and Most Resilient Human Being I Know’

Heather Morris took to Instagram Wednesday afternoon to post a touching tribute to Naya Rivera, her fellow “Glee” cast member who was found dead on July 13 after a boating accident. Morris and Rivera acted opposite each other on “Glee” as best friends-turned-girlfriends Brittany and Santana, whose relationship played a landmark role in LBGTQ+ representation in television.