christmas
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Academy Award nominee Antonio Banderas is a singing villain in Journey to Bethlehem, a Christmas musical adventure about the Nativity story in which he plays Herod, King of Judea. In theaters since Nov. 10, the movie is also available at home starting Friday (Dec. 8), just in time for Christmas. Directed by Glee executive music […]
Mariah Carey has been barnstorming the country for nearly a month on her festive Merry Christmas One and All tour and on Friday morning (Dec. 8) she presented her fans with the greatest gift of all: a new Lambs-centric video for her modern holiday classic, “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” “The best thing […]
Mariah Carey has given Brenda Lee an early Christmas gift, from one holiday queen to another. On Thursday (Dec. 7), the “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” singer revealed that Carey sent her a sweet bouquet of flowers, along with a message congratulating her on her holiday hit scoring the top spot on the Billboard Hot […]
In a way, 2023 was Demi Lovato‘s reset year. Across myriad projects spanning various genres and formats, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter spent the year flaunting both their versatility and their distinct star quality — two attributes that make their brand new Roku special, A Very Demi Holiday Special, an effortless winner.
They kicked off the year with “Still Alive,” an original song for the box office-topping Scream VI that earned them a best song nomination at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards. The single soon gave way to the promotional campaign for Revamped, a reclamatory endeavor that found Lovato re-recording their biggest pop hits in the rock-focused style of their recent music. Included on the album were rock-ified versions of Billboard Hot 100 hits such as “Sorry Not Sorry” (No. 6), “Heart Attack” (No. 10) and “Cool for the Summer” (No. 11), all of which were included in Lovato’s MTV VMAs performance, which Billboard ranked as the fourth best of the night.
At that ceremony, Lovato enjoyed a best pop nomination for “Swine,” a blistering protest song they released two days before the anniversary of the fall of Roe v. Wade. The track peaked at No. 12 on Alternative Digital Song Sales.
By September, Revamped — which also featured collaborations with Slash, The Maine, Nina Strauss and The Used’s Brett McCracken — became their ninth career entry on the Billboard 200 (No. 60), reaching the top 10 of Top Album Sales (No. 4), Top Rock Albums (No. 10) and Top Alternative Albums (No. 8) in the process. Nonetheless, the new projects didn’t stop there.
Outside of their own music, Lovato also found time to appear Le Sserafim’s K-pop-meets-Jersey-club “Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s Wife” remix and Luísa Sonza‘s Portuguese-language “Penhasco2,” both of which made the Billboard charts. They also released a cover of “Let Me Down Easy” from the Emmy-nominated Daisy Jones & the Six miniseries. Of course, the multi-hyphenate maintained their presence in the film and television arenas, appearing as Anonymouse on the kick-off show for the tenth season of The Masked Singer and guest-starring as herself in the third season of the FX comedy Dave.
Ready to wind down for the holidays and bask in her delightful new holiday special, Demi Lovato catches up with Billboard for a light-hearted conversation about family traditions, her upcoming Child Star documentary, a potential Christmas rock album and plans for new music next year.
Why was this the year for you to hop into your holiday bag and put on A Very Demi Holiday?
That’s a good question and I don’t really have an answer for it! [Laughs.] It just was an opportunity that presented itself and I had to take it because I love the holidays!
What’s your absolute favorite thing about the holidays?
I love getting to spend time with my family. I think that’s my favorite part of the holidays.
What are some family traditions that you guys hold near and dear to your hearts?
Sometimes we wear onesies on Christmas morning. Other times, we have s’mores on Christmas Eve, but those aren’t traditions we do every year. We do do this tradition where we come down the stairs and look at presents, and we’ve been doing that since I was a kid — just having my mom say, “Okay, it’s time for the presents!” and then all three sisters come down at the same time. It’s cute.
I remember you recounting those moments in the special. When it comes to getting into the Christmas spirit, what’s your personal favorite Christmas song and which performance in the special would be your top pick?
I’d say that “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is probably my favorite Christmas song. My favorite song in the special would probably [also] be “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” because I got to do it with JoJo and we had a really great time performing together.
You guys have worked together previously. What was it like reuniting for a Christmas cover?
Oh, it was so great! She’s so sweet and funny and being able to work with her again was such a joy. She’s so talented. She’s such a powerhouse vocally and she’s incredible.
It’s always a treat to hear two vocalists like yourselves joining forces on a track. In terms of the music in the special, how did you guys decide which of your original non-holiday songs to include, and what was the aim of those arrangements?
You know, it wouldn’t really fit if I did a rock concert for a holiday special, although it depends on who you who you ask! [Laughs.] I wanted to have a different approach to it, so my band was different than my normal band and they were incredible. We had a really great time. I wanted it to feel more in line with the Christmas spirit, so that’s what I did!
Do you have plans for this to be a recurring special, or is this one-off thing for you?
I don’t know, we’ll have to wait and see! Wait until next year.
Between making ugly sweaters and learning the Nutcracker ballet, what was your favorite thing to really sink your teeth into and show out in front of the cameras?
I think making the meat cakes for my dog was one for the books. Paris and I had a really great time, and I would do anything for my dogs. So, getting to dress them up and see who liked the cake more was really cute.
Did you look to any past Christmas specials and concerts for inspiration for your own?
No, I didn’t. I just. I just kind of winged it! [Laughs].
What draws you to the holiday season? Why do you think that it’s such an inspiring time of the year for so many artists?
The holidays inspire so many people because there’s a lot of downtime, so there’s a lot of opportunity to be able to listen to what inspires you during downtime that you wouldn’t have normally throughout the rest of the year.
There is a segment in the special where you’re consoling this young lady whose grandmother had recently passed away and it was such a beautiful, sentimental scene. What was it like getting to involve fans in this project in such a special way?
Getting to involve my fans was really fun. It was great to be able to sing with them too, you know? We sang “Joy to the World,” and they seemed really enthusiastic. Getting to surprise my fans was really fun and gave me nerves. I had butterflies to tell each person, but it was fun!
At the very end of the special there’s this animated thing that comes across the screen and you do a voiceover where you’re talking about aliens and you’re like, “Bye, b—ches, I’m going to Mars!” Did you freestyle that?
Well, the holiday special was trying to show what it would look like if an alien came to Earth and saw what Christmas was like. It would be showing them how absurd Christmas is. How a jolly old man comes down the chimney to give gifts, and there’s a tree that we decorate, you know? So, that was kind of a through-line through the special and I don’t remember how that last line came about! Maybe I freestyled that, I’m not sure. [Laughs.]
So, for the fans that didn’t get to sing with you in the special, what can they expect from you musically come 2024?
Hopefully, I’ll have an album by then. I would love to put out new music. I’m kind of just always releasing new music, it feels like, because I’m always trying to top myself or do something that feels fulfilling in the moment. So, hopefully, I’ll have new music out or new music to release next year. But I’m also not putting any pressure on it.
Do you have any plans to officially release any of these holiday covers for fans to stream?
I don’t have any plans to do that, but maybe next year I’ll come out with a Christmas album or something!
Okay if we get a Christmas album, can we get some rock Christmas songs on there?
Yeah, that would be cool!
Outside of music next year, you’re also continuing to make some moves in the film world. You’re currently prepping your Child Star documentary, what are some updates you can give fans on that project?
I’m getting some really great people to participate in the film. I’m really excited about it and — nothing that I can share with you right now! — but it’s turning out great. I’m having some deep and meaningful conversations with people that obviously were child stars previously. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.
Okay, now it’s time for some “this or that,” holiday edition. Peppermint or Gingerbread?
Peppermint.
Eggnog or apple cider?
Eggnog!
This is the tricky one: “All I Want for Christmas Is You” or “Last Christmas?”
“All I Want for Christmas Is You!” [Laughs.]
What is on your Christmas playlist? What’s playing around your house as you countdown to the 25th?
This isn’t Christmassy at all, but I’ve become a really big fan of Lola Young. I’ve been listening to her album a lot.
When you look back on the year, what’s your favorite overall moment? What’s one moment that you’ll always remember from the making of A Very Demi Holiday?
I think my favorite moment this year — I mean professionally — I would say the VMAs performance was really fun for me. Yeah. also filming the “Swine” music video was really fun, getting to release the Revamped album was awesome. I think, personally, anytime I’ve been able to spend with my best friends, my boyfriend and my loved ones.
Even though Brenda Lee was the most likely contender for the next Christmas song to top the Billboard Hot 100 — after spending the last four holiday seasons peaking at No. 2 — it didn’t make it any less amazing to see “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” up top on this week’s chart, 65 years […]
Bunnie XO is giving fans an early Christmas present with “12 Days of Rizzmas,” her new NSFW rap song and music video that got an early endorsement from her country star husband, Jelly Roll. In the video released Sunday (Dec. 3), Bunnie welcomes a classroom of students to “Bad B—h 101,” where she teaches lessons […]
‘Tis the season to listen to Christmas songs on repeat. Like many other artists across genres, Latin acts have been releasing bilingual (Spanish and English) holiday songs — whether original or covers — to get in the spirit navideño. There are of course the go-to classics like José Feliciano‘s “Feliz Navidad,” which celebrated its 50th anniversary […]
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are getting in the holiday spirit.
The “Anti-Hero” singer and her football star boyfriend were recently spotted at Miracle Pop Up, a holiday-themed bar in Kansas City. According to People, the pair were there as guests at a festive party hosted by the Chiefs Friday evening (Dec. 1).
In a fan picture from the night, which was also shared on Miracle’s Instagram Story, the 12-time Grammy winner appeared to twin with Kelce in matching Christmas sweaters, with Swift pairing hers with a plaid skirt and her classic red lip. Standing next to her in the photo is Brittany Mahomes — who is married to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes — wearing a reindeer onesie.
And based on a snap shared by Brittany on Instagram, Tayvis wasn’t the only couple in matching outfits. “Falalalalalalalalala,” Ms. Mahomes captioned a photo showing off Patrick’s identical reindeer ensemble.
Brittany and the “Karma” musician seem to have become fast friends ever since Swift started dating Kelce earlier this year. The pair are often seen watching Chiefs games side-by-side; in fact, two days after the holiday party, the women were spotted entering Lambeau Field in Wisconsin together to watch Kansas City face off with the Green Bay Packers (sadly for Chiefs Kingdom, they lost 19-27).
The game capped a characteristically busy week for Swift, who was in London just a few days ago for Beyoncé’s star-studded Renaissance concert film premiere. While there, she posed for pictures with both the woman of the hour and close pal Blake Lively — the latter of which resulted in a hilarious post from Ryan Reynolds, who shared a photoshopped image of his and Kelce’s faces respectively pasted onto Lively and Swift’s.
“I feel like I should remember this,” joked the actor, who is married to and shares three kids with Lively, on his Instagram Story.
And while Swift is the bonafide musician in the relationship, Kelce is actually the one who’s most recently released a new song — and a Christmas song, at that. His “Fairytale of Philadelphia” holiday duet with brother Jason Kelce, who plays center on the Philadelphia Eagles, topped both the Rock Digital Song Sales and Holiday Digital Song Sales charts last week.
Even the self-proclaimed Queen of Christmaas has a subpar holiday season every once in a while. But in 2023, Mariah Carey is determined for that not to be the case.
“Years? What are years? I’m unfamiliar with them,” the 54-year-old vocalist joked in her Monday (Dec. 4) digital cover story with People, adding that she prefers to live “Christmastime to Christmastime.”
“I’ve been looking forward to this Christmas for, like, the whole year,” she continued. “Since last year —because last year wasn’t the greatest. I’m thankful for them all, but it wasn’t my most fun version of Christmas ever.”
To make up for last year’s apparent dud, Carey has embarked on a 14-city “Merry Christmas One and All” tour, ending Dec. 17 with a finale show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The five-time Grammy winner is famous for dominating the Christmas music market from year to year, mostly thanks to her evergreen hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You”; the 1994 hit ranks at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated Dec. 2 and has spent a collective 12 weeks at No. 1 over the years.
“I’ve been working day and night on this one,” Carey told the publication of her tour. “I’ll be doing songs I’ve never done before, some duets. I’ve got to keep some surprises.”
Her 12-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe, whom she shares with Nick Cannon, are coming on the road with her as featured performers. “Roc,” as Carey calls him, raps during “Here Comes Santa Claus,” while “Roe” duets with her mom on “Jesus Born on This Day.”
In between details about her favorite X-mas decorations, the “Obsessed” singer also opened up to the publication about not shying away from the “diva label. “I still define the word ‘diva’ the way it is in the dictionary,” she said. “It’s a successful singer, usually a soprano, typically in the opera field.”
“So many people that I know that are called ‘divas’ all the time, don’t take offense to it,” she added. “If someone’s like, ‘The diva, so-and-so.’ Who cares? Why is it a big deal? Just take it and be on your merry way.”
Justine Skye is getting ready for the holidays and all she wants for Christmas is a little R&R.
“To be honest, I love the time off to get to relax and clear my mind to get ready for the new year,” she tells Billboard, adding that “my traditions revolve around enjoying moments of rest and connection with loved ones.”
It’s been a busy year for Skye, who released a new album, Darkside, in January, and wrapped the final season of Grown-ish in August (Skye appears in the show’s last two seasons playing Junior’s love interest, Annika). For the singer and actress, the holidays are all about decompressing from work and focusing instead on family and friends for a “time of relaxation and togetherness.”
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“During the holidays, I intentionally take a break from work to immerse myself in the joy of the season,” she says. “I love spending quality time with family, where we come together to cook delicious meals and watch classic holiday movies, a tradition that brings both nostalgia and new memories.”
Of course, the holidays are also about gift-giving, and Skye has teamed up with Tommy Hilfiger this year to unveil some of her favorite pieces to wear — and give.
“My earliest memories of wearing Tommy is being in middle school remembering how much I wanted to give off that tomboy, edgy-yet-chic vibe that Aaliyah would give,” she explains, of why she wanted to work with the Tommy team.
Skye’s go-to gifting picks from Tommy Hilfiger: a candle, a blanket, a nice traveling/duffle bag and a cozy sweater.
As for new music, Skye recently released “Whip It Up,” a beat-driven, staccato-style R&B track that’s expected to appear on an upcoming album. Skye reveals that she’s “currently working on a new project,” though no name or release date has been announced just yet. Still, the singer teases a “more upbeat [and] dance kind of vibes,” adding that she’s “excited to keep rolling out this new sound.”
“I want to encourage and be a part of the shift in music that gets people back on the dance floor,” she says. “Everyday I learn something new about life and myself and it all helps me grow and expand creatively.”
For now though, Skye is just focused on heading home for the holidays: “It’s all about spending time with friends and family and creating a new memory to close off the year.”
Skye’s latest single, “Whip It Up” is now streaming. You can also shop the singer’s holiday gifting picks from Tommy Hilfiger below:
Cesar Buitrago
Tommy Hilfiger Tartan Half-Zip
$83.30
$119.00
30% off
“I love the roomy and comfy fit of this Tommy sweater I wore,” Skye says, of the pull-over she sported to a Tommy Hilfiger dinner in November. Preppy and festive, this half-zip knit sweater features a traditional tartan pattern and a modern, relaxed fit.
Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger Prep Duffle Bag
$137.40
$229.00
40% off
Made from a durable and water-repellant material, this unisex duffle has plenty of room for a weekend getaway, or to take you from work to the gym as part of your daily commute. The bag comes with an adjustable and removable shoulder strap.
Tommy Hilfiger Salty Fig Candle
$31.20
$52.00
40% off
Festive and inviting, this Tommy candle features notes of warm fig, fresh sandalwood and sea salt. Made from a soy wax blend, this candle has a burn time of up to 40 hours.
Tommy Hilfiger Stripe Throw Blanket
$40.80
$102.00
60% off
Measuring 50 x 70 inches, this luxurious cotton throw is great as a blanket in bed or as something to curl up in for a movie night at home. Super warm, soft and stylish, it makes a welcome holiday gift for all ages.