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With the 45th anniversary of Pac-Man only a few months away, Walmart has Arcade1Up Pac-Man Plus Deluxe available for retro gamers, or the retro gaming fan in your life as a gift for the holidays.
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Priced at $379.99, the Arcade1Up Pac-Man Plus Deluxe Arcade Machine is a five-foot tall arcade cabinet replica that has an old-school gaming style with the original Pac-Man, as well as modern features such as a 17-inch LCD display, a RGB (Red Green Blue) light-up marquee and built-in Wi-Fi for global leaderboards for the ultimate in-gaming bragging rights.
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And since the Arcade1Up Pac-Man Plus Deluxe is from Walmart, you’ll get it shipped to you for free if you’re a Walmart+ member. Otherwise, your cart has to be more than $35 to get free shipping.
If you’re not a member, then you’re in luck. You can sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of everything the retailer’s rewards program has to offer with perks such as free, fast delivery; fuel discounts’ streaming access to Paramount+ to watch hit originals; additional savings with early access deals and much more.
In addition, Walmart+ comes with access to SiriusXM for all sorts of talk radio and music — including popular channels, like “The Coffee House” for stripped-down songs from Noah Kahan, Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers, Phoebe Bridgers and others.
The Arcade1Up Pac-Man Plus Deluxe is also available on Amazon for the same price.
Arcade1Up
Arcade1Up Pac-Man Plus Deluxe Arcade Machine
Meanwhile, not only does the Arcade1Up Pac-Man Plus Deluxe come with Pac-Man, but it also comes with 13 other classic video games, including Dig Dug, Super Pac-Man, Pac-Man Plus, Galaga, Rompers, Rolling Thunder and others.
The retro arcade cabinet also features a full-size joystick, one-and-two-player buttons, a Wi-Fi live button, power and volume switches, three action buttons (depending on the game being played) and coin slots and doors. But don’t worry: You don’t need to pump this arcade machine with quarters. You just keep playing as much as you want.
It even features the original (and iconic) Pac-Man music and theme from Namco music director Toshio Kai and hardware engineer Shigeichi Ishimura. This arcade cabinet is the very essence of old school.
The Arcade1Up Pac-Man Plus Deluxe retails for $379.99 at Walmart and Amazon. It’s ideal for a game room, garage, or basement man cave at home.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
On Fortnite Festival‘s first anniversary, the popular music-focused game is sharing stats from its first 12 months of play and unveiling an “all-access weekend” for users to celebrate the milestone. According to a blog post published Tuesday (Dec. 10), Fortnite Festival players smashed more than one trillion Gems on tracks from 236 artists and played […]
As promised, Jamie Foxx is opening up about the health scare that led to his hospitalization in 2023. In his new Netflix special, Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…, Foxx details the brain bleed that led to him going off-the-radar for much of the past two years due after an April 2023 health emergency that led to the Oscar-winner’s hospitalization.
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“You have no idea how good this feels. Atlanta, I’m back,” Foxx says tearily in the special that dropped on Tuesday (Dec. 10), according to The Hollywood Reporter. “I was fighting for my life, but I’m here in front of you.” The emotional return to the stage — which has already picked up an early 2025 Golden Globe nomination for best performance in stand-up comedy on television — is described as a mixture of “laughter, music and sobering truth,” as Foxx gets candid with the crowd about his rehab and recovery.
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The special was filmed in Atlanta, which is where Foxx was when he became ill while filming his on-screen reunion with Cameron Diaz in the upcoming Netflix comedy Back in Action. It opens with a montage of videos of fans speculation about what happened to Foxx, with his daughter Corinne coming out first to thank the audience. “This is a special moment for me and my family. It is a blessing to even be here,” she says.
Foxx is emotional at first, wiping away tears, before diving into the red-hot internet rumor mill that revved up after his hospitalization, which was stoked by the lack of accurate information on what had befallen the 56-year-old star. “The internet tried to kill me, though,” he says. “They said I was paralyzed. They said I couldn’t walk. Well, look at me now.”
The tone then reportedly gets serious, as Foxx says that his team still doesn’t know exactly what happened to him on April 11, 2023, explaining that it all began as a very bad headache. “I don’t remember 20 days,” he says, noting that the first doctor he saw dismissed his symptoms, though his sister, Deidra Dixon, sensed something was seriously wrong and drove him around looking for a hospital to treat her brother; that hospital, Piedmont Hospital, is just around the corner from the Atlanta theater where the special was filmed.
A doctor there realized Foxx was having a “brain bleed” that led to a stroke and needed immediate surgery. He recalls that the doctor told Dixon that it was possible the actor would make a full recovery from the stroke, but that he was facing the “worst year of his life.” Foxx says that’s why he retreated from the public, remembering that he woke up on May 4 in a wheelchair with no recollection of what had happened.
“I saw the tunnel. I didn’t see the light,” Foxx says in the special. “It was hot in that tunnel. S–t, am I going to the wrong place in this motherf–ker? Because I looked at the end of the tunnel, and I thought I saw the devil, like, ‘C’mon.’ Or is that Puffy [Combs]?”
Foxx says it was hard to accept the diagnosis at first, but that a psychiatrist helped him focus, which led to what he describes as a deep conversation with God that helped him fight hard to recover by leaning into his humor. He says that his mantra became: “If I can stay funny, I can stay alive.” He also thanks his daughter Corinne for cutting off all access to him during that time, saying his family “didn’t want you to see me like that. And I didn’t want you to see me like that… I want you to see me like this.”
Though he was afraid during the first two weeks of hospitalization that he would die, Foxx gives 14-year-old daughter Anelise credit for sneaking into his hospital room and playing her guitar, a scene she recreates in the special. Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… is streaming on Netflix now.
Lululemon Daily Multi-Pocket Tote Bag
What’s the point of having all those flimsy canvas tote bags around if you’re too nervous or embarrassed to use them? This year, upgrade to this durable and stylish lululemon tote, which features a water-resistant material that wipes down easily, plus 20L of space and tons of pockets for all your stuff.This is a practical — and presentable — way to carry your belongings, whether you use this as a gym bag, travel bag, for groceries or errands. Choose from four colors online — and never go back to the cheap tote bags again.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Taylor Swift has played her last show on her record-breaking Eras Tour, but fans can still keep up with the singer — and look back on her remarkable career to date — with a new book from Rolling Stone journalist Rob Sheffield.
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Heartbreak Is the National Anthem was released in November as a hardcover book, and you can also listen to it now on Audible. The audiobook version has landed on Audible’s music bestsellers list, just behind books about Van Halen, R.E.M. and Bob Dylan.
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Billed as an “intimate look at the life and music of modern pop’s most legendary figure,” the audiobook is read by Sheffield, a well-respected music journalist who has covered Swift’s career from the very beginning. In fact, the expanded title of the book is “A Celebration of Taylor Swift‘s Musical Journey, Cultural Impact, and Reinvention of Pop Music for Swifties by a Swiftie.”
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The new book chronicles not only the singer’s rise to fame, but also her impact on the music industry and on pop culture as a whole. From her early days as a teenage country singer, to becoming one of the biggest pop stars of the 21st century, Heartbreak tracks the people, milestones and experiences that have shaped Swift’s journey.
The audiobook version is read by Sheffield himself, with a run-time of five hours and 29 minutes. You can purchase the audiobook for $21 right now on Amazon or listen to it for just 99 cents with a new Audible deal, which gets you a three-month subscription for just $3 total. Regularly $14.99/month, the new promo saves you 93% off for a limited time.
Heartbreak is the National Anthem was an instant New York Times best-seller when it was released, and reviewers have heaped praise on the book too, with an average 4.3-star rating (out of five) online. One reviewer raves about Sheffield’s writing, noting that he “offers worthy praise, cultural analysis, critical commentary, and clever connections,” along with “stories, details and humor that Swifties will appreciate.”
Another calls the book a “love letter to Swift’s artistry, with Sheffield blending personal anecdotes alongside a thoughtful analysis of her career and the impact she’s had on music and her fans.”
Per publisher Dey Street Books, Heartbreak is the National Anthem is “the first book that goes deep on the musical and cultural impact of Taylor Swift.”
“At once one of the most beloved music figures of the past two decades and one of the most criticized, Taylor Swift is known as much for her life beyond her music as she is for her hits—the most public of stars, yet also the weirdest and most mysterious,” reads the publisher notes. “Heartbreak Is the National Anthem will inform and delight a legion of fans who hang on every word from Taylor and every word Rob writes on her.”
Purchase the book on hardcover or listen to it on Audible here. You can also check out more books about Taylor Swift here.
In honor of earning her first Golden Globes nomination since 2009, Miley Cyrus made “Beautiful That Way,” recorded for Gia Coppola’s The Last Showgirl starring Pamela Anderson, available for listening Monday (Dec. 9) via YouTube. Appearing at the end of The Last Showgirl — which follows the Baywatch actress as a performer facing a reckoning […]
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Whether you’re looking for a great holiday gift for someone special in your life, or yourself, we found a deep discount to make shopping a joy — especially for music lovers.
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On sale for $89 (reg. $159) at Walmart, the Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones are a premium pair that delivers clear and rich audio with deep and booming bass to listen to music and podcasts on-the-go (when paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth). They’re also sleek and stylish, as a bold fashion and audio statement.
And since the Beats Studio3 Headphones are from Walmart, you’ll get them shipped to you for free if you’re a Walmart+ member. Otherwise, your cart has to be more than $35 to get free shipping.
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If you’re not a member, then you’re in luck. You can sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of everything the retailer’s rewards program has to offer with perks such as free, fast delivery; fuel discounts’ streaming access to Paramount+ to watch hit originals; additional savings with early access deals and much more.
Meanwhile, Walmart+ also comes with access to SiriusXM for all sorts of talk radio and music — including popular channels, like “SiriusXM Hits 1” for pop hits from Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, SZA, Dua Lipa, Post Malone, Olivia Rodrigo and more.
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Beats Studio3 Wireless Over-Ear Noise-Cancelling Headphones
$89
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Aside from high-quality audio, the Beats Studio3 Headphones sync to Apple iPhone and Android smartphones alike. The wireless headphones also feature seamless and automatic connection with all sorts of Apple products — thanks to their built-in Apple W1 chip, which is the very same chip in Apple AirPods.
In addition, these headphones offer up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge. In fact, if you’re on a time crunch, the headphones have ‘Fast Fuel’ features, which gives you three hours of playback time with just a 10-minute quick charge.
The Beats Studio3 Wireless Over-Ear Noise-Cancelling Headphones are on sale for $89 (reg. $159) at Walmart and come in three colors — Black, shadow gray and white — all for the same price.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
If you’re looking to watch live sports online, then a great streaming service option that offers just about all of the major sports networks is DIRECTV — it’s your one-stop destination for live sports. And right now, you can save up to $625 in value.
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Ends 1/6/2025. Must select offers. Requires CHOICE package or higher. To access up to $625 in value, customer must redeem all offers: i) $240 via $10 bill credit each mo. for 24 mos.; ii) 3 months of Movies Extra Pack (MEP) and Lifetime Movie Club (LMC) On Us PLUS $200 Visa Reward Card with subscriptions to MEP and LMC ($100 Visa Reward Card with subscription to MEP only); Redemption req’d.; iii) 3 mos. of Premium Channels on us. MEP, LMC and premium channels are included for first 3 months and auto-renew monthly thereafter at then-prevailing rates unless canceled (currently $4.99/mo. each for MEP and LMC, $16.99/mo. for Max, $12.99/mo. for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, $10.99/mo. each for STARZ and Cinemax, and $6.99/mo. for MGM+). New residential customers w/ 24-mo. agmt. Select sales channels only. See details below.
Depending on the package, you can have access to more than 35 networks that carry live sports, including NBC, ABC, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox Sports, Fox Sports 2, Sportsman Channel, Surfer TV, Tennis Channel, T2, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, FanDuel TV, Pickleball TV, Players TV, Fight Network, Fuel TV, MotorTrend, NBA TV, NHL Network, Origin Sports, Pursuit Channel, SportsGrid, TNA, TUDN, MLB Network, TBS, TNT, USA Network and more*
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DIRECTV also carries over 30 regional sports networks (RSNs), so you can catch your home team action.
Regional Sports Networks included in CHOICE Package or higher. Avail. of RSNs varies by zip code and pkg.
Think of DIRECTV as your one-stop destination for live TV, on-demand movies, TV shows, and access to popular streaming apps like Max, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. It’s a versatile and convenient content aggregator that enhances its range of live sports and more, contingent on the subscription package selected. DIRECTV offers a comprehensive entertainment experience, tailored to meet all your needs.
Internet-connected Gemini device and additional paid subscriptions req’d for 3rd party apps.
How to Watch Live Sports with DIRECTV via Internet
DIRECTV via Internet packages gets you access to live TV, local* and cable channels.
You can watch local networks such as PBS*, while you can also watch many cable networks, including Lifetime, FX, AMC, A&E, Bravo, BET, Paramount Network, Cartoon Network, Fuse, CNN, Food Network, CNBC and many others.
In addition, DIRECTV offers music-centric networks, such as MTV, VH1, BET, Fuse, CMT and much more. Now you can get the best in entertainment, sports and music all in one place with DIRECTV.
All sorts of live sports are available to live stream with DIRECTV.
New approved residential customers, price incl. TV pkg & equip. fees for first TV. Add’l fees may apply to nonqualified customers. Equipment lease req’d. Early agmt termination fee applies ($20/mo.) & add’l fee(s) may apply if equip. not returned. Credit card req’d. Restr’s apply.
*Some local channels not available in select markets.
DIRECTV via INTERNET: Service subject to DIRECTV delivered via internet terms and conditions (seedirectv.com/legal/legal-policy-center/). Available only in the U.S. (excludes Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I.). Some offers may not be available through all channels and in select areas. Different offers may apply for eligible multi-dwelling units. Early termination fees apply for a maximum of $480, prorated at $20 per month over the 24-month term. If you cancel your service within the first 14 days of ordering, a full refund of charges will be applied, and the early termination fees will be waived. If service is canceled after 14 days, you can continue to access DIRECTV through the end of the bill period, but there is no refund or credit for partial-month or unwatched content.
$240 IN BILL CREDITS OFFER: Receive $10/mo. credit for 24 mos. with CHOICE pkg or higher. 24-mo. agmt. req’d. Customer must activate service and account must remain in good standing to receive all credits. You will lose this offer and/or any portion of this offer if you cancel your service. LIMIT ONE $240 BILL CREDIT OFFER PER DIRECTV ACCOUNT. May not be combined with certain offers.
MOVIES EXTRA PACK and LIFETIME MOVIE CLUB 3 MONTHS ON US OFFER: Ends 1/6/25. With min. ENTERTAINMENT package or higher. Customer must select Movies Extra Pack and Lifetime Movie Club (currently $4.99/mo. + tax each) and maintain subscriptions for 3 months to receive all credits. Account must remain in good standing. Movies Extra Pack and Lifetime Movies Club auto-renew monthly unless you change or cancel. Cancel anytime online at directv.com or by calling 800.535.5000. However, once you’ve canceled, you can access Movies Extra Pack/Lifetime Movies Club through the remaining monthly period. No refunds or credits for any partial-month periods or unwatched content. If you cancel your service, you will no longer be eligible for this offer. Returning customers who disconnected service within previous 12 months are not eligible for offer. LIMIT ONE OFFER PER DIRECTV ACCOUNT. May be combined with other promotional offers on same services. Offer may be changed or discontinued at any time. LIMIT ONE MOVIES EXTRA PACK AND LIFETIME MOVIE CLUB OFFER PER DIRECTV ACCOUNT.
PREMIUM CHANNELS ON US FOR 3 MOS. Offer: Max: Access Max through Max app or max.com with your DIRECTV log-in credentials. Visit directv.com to verify/create your account. Use of Max is subject to its own terms and conditions, see max.com/terms-of-use for details. To learn more, visit directv.com/max. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME: Access Paramount+ with SHOWTIME streaming plan through Paramount+ app or paramountplus.com with your DIRECTV log-in credentials. Visit directv.com to verify/create your account. Use of Paramount+ is subject to its own terms and conditions, see viacomcbs.legal/us/en/pplus/sub-terms for details. Access to Paramount+ requires a subscription to Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and access to your local CBS affiliate. To learn more, visit directv.com/paramountplussho. General Terms: Programming and content subj. to change. Offer requires account to stay in good standing. Upon cancellation of your video service you may lose access to Max and Paramount+. Cancel your premium channels online at directv.com or by phone at 800-531-5000. If you cancel your service, you will no longer be eligible for this offer. Limits: Access to one Max account and one Paramount+ account per DIRECTV account holder. May not be stackable w/other offers, credits or discounts. MAX and related elements are property of Home Box Office, Inc.
VISA REWARD CARD OFFER: Must maintain service through reward fulfillment to remain eligible for offer. To qualify for $200 VISA Reward Card, customer must sign up for ENTERTAINMENT package or higher, Movies Extra Pack and Lifetime Movie Club and maintain all three services for 3 mos. (Customers selecting only ENTERTAINMENT Package or higher and Movies Extra Pack only qualify for $100 VISA Reward Card). Must select offer at point of sale through the dedicated website, for new residential customers in the U.S. (excludes Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I.). Residents of select multi-dwelling units are not eligible for this offer. Redemption: Within 6 weeks of activation of qualified service, eligible customers will be sent a Reward Notification email with instructions for claiming the reward on the DIRECTV Reward Center www.directv-rewardcenter.com. Reward must be claimed by the date noted in the email (75 days from the date email was sent). If customer’s email returns as undeliverable, a letter will be mailed via USPS 3rd class mail. Reward invitation expires if not claimed by the date noted in Reward Notification. Customers can track their reward status anytime via the DIRECTV Reward Tracker, which is located on the DIRECTV Reward Center www.directv-rewardcenter.com. Allow three (3) weeks after receipt and verification of customer’s claim for delivery card. DIRECTV is not responsible for late, lost or misdirected card in mail. Not valid for purchase by groups, clubs, businesses or organizations. Void where prohibited, licensed, taxed or restricted. May not be combined with other reward card offers on same services. Card expires at month-end 6 months after issuance. For Cardholder Agreement, go to directvrewardcenter.com. The DIRECTV Visa Reward Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted in the United States, the District of Columbia, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. No cash access. The Bancorp Bank N.A.; Member FDIC. The Bancorp Bank N.A. does not endorse or sponsor and is not affiliated in any way with any product or service offered by DIRECTV. LIMIT ONE VISA REWARD CARD OFFER PER DIRECTV ACCOUNT.
All offers may be changed or discontinued at any time.
Requires high speed internet. Minimum internet speed of 8Mbps per stream recommended for optimal viewing. DIRECTV App: Req’s compatible device and data connection; data charges may apply. Pricing: ENTERTAINMENT $89.99/mo., CHOICE $122.98/mo., ULTIMATE $152.98/mo., PREMIER $197.98/mo. for 2 years. After 2 years, continues month to month at then-current prevailing prices unless cancelled. Prices reflect base package prices plus the req’d. $15/mo. Advanced Receiver Service Fee and Regional Sports Fee (RSF) of up to $17.99/mo. RSF applies to CHOICE Pkg. or higher and varies based on location. May be lower in some areas. $7/mo. lease fee per each additional device will be charged on your account. State and local taxes or other governmental fees and charges may apply including any such taxes, fees or charges assessed against discounted fees or service credits. See directv.com/directv-fees/ for additional information.
Equipment Non-Return Fees: If service is cancelled you must return the included and leased device to avoid a non-return fee of $120 per device. Regional Sports & Local Channels: Regional Sports available with CHOICE and above. Not available in select areas. Channels vary by package & billing region. Device may need to be in billing region in order to view. In select markets certain local channels are not available, call 800-535-5000 or visit directv.com/channel-lineup/ for more info. Limits: Programming subject to blackout restrictions.
DIRECTV Svc Terms: Subject to Equipment Lease & Customer Agreement. Taxes, surcharges, add-on programming (including premium channels), DIRECTV TECH PROTECT and transactional fees are not included in two-year price guarantee. Visit directv.com/legal/ or call for details.
All offers, programming, promotions, pricing, terms, restrictions & conditions subject to change & may be modified, discontinued, or terminated at any time without notice. See directv.com for details.
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Early on in their Thursday night (Dec. 5) performance at the Kings Theater in Brooklyn, NY, drag stars Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme told their crowd of a few thousand fans that they intended to do things a little differently this year.
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The pair have been performing together in various iterations of their annual Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show for the last seven years, with each successive variety performance becoming more involved, plot-driven and deeply meta than the last. Their 2023 show, as they point out during this year’s production, revolved around their show itself turning on and trying to kill them.
So for 2024, the dynamic duo told their audience that they just wanted to keep things straightforward — some lighthearted fun, some good laughs, and that winning parody combination of “a pop song you heard on the radio all year, plus Christmas,” as DeLa put it. Nothing fancy, just an easy, simple holiday show.
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What ensued, while it was of course not at all what the duo described at the outset of their performance, proved exactly why these Drag Race alumni make such a perfect pair on the stage. Across two acts and two hours, Jinkx and DeLa managed to not only encapsulate the manic brilliance of their now-historic run together, but to also deftly (and often bluntly) address and audience still reeling from the political chaos of the last month.
Fans of the The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show will have plenty to celebrate with this year’s iteration, as the pair keep on the tradition of building a loose narrative around a Christmas-themed concept. This time around, Jinkx delightfully informs the audience that they’re doing a Nutcracker riff (or “nut-gobbler,” as DeLa accidentally calls it), as the pair get shrunk down to toy-size and participate in the well-loved Christmas ballet. It’s a welcome shift, seeing the usually-grinchy Jinkx getting excited for the holdiays, while the often-optimistic DeLa gets her opportunity to make fun of the centuries-old ballet at every given opportunity.
The song parodies are also back, and arguably better than ever. Jinkx and DeLa once again meld their own original songs with new versions of holiday classics, American standards and a heaping helping of 2024 pop hits. A now Broadway-minted Monsoon flexes both her musical and comedic chops on the early standout performance of “Secular” (to the tune of Wicked‘s “Popular”) as she delights in leaving the more Judeo-Christian aspects of the season behind. Meanwhile DeLa stuns with a rendition of Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” that sees the star crooning about missing snow in a globally warmed winter of unseasonably warm weather — although, when it happens this much, we really shouldn’t call it “unseasonable,” as DeLa points out.
The standout running gag from the show, though, comes in the form of the pair desperately trying to find an appropriately funny (and Christmas-y) Chappell Roan parody. DeLa tries her best early on — conjuring up clunky visions of a “Red Reindeer Place” and attempting to incite a “Femininomenon” in the city of Bethlehem — before Jinkx tells her to just give it up. But the pair finally triumph with their own, double-meta version of Roan’s breakout hit “Hot to Go,” this time singing about the difficulty of coming up with a Chappell parody before settling on spelling out “Hot Coco.”
While the show certainly has plenty of fun songs and hilarious jokes — Jinkx’s ongoing infatuation with and seduction by The Nutcracker had the Brooklyn audience in stitches — the show’s core comes into full focus during it’s second act, when both Jinkx and DeLa partially drop the facade of the show to look at the context they’re performing it in.
In an interview with Billboard back in October, both Jinkx and DeLa expressed their desire to get to the core of our current system of political division, and how those divisions have made the holidays and even harder time of year for everyone, especially in the LGBTQ+ community. “At a hard time of year, a bunch of people get to come together and look at some beautiful visuals, outfits, props and performances from our brilliant cast,” DeLa said at the time.
While I won’t give away the show’s clever plot, I can say that the Act II breakdown from Jinkx & DeLa landed exactly where they wanted it to. As the pair use the structure of their show itself to process Donald Trump’s re-election in November, they dig even deeper to get to the emotional crux that the audience at the Kings Theater was feeling. When Jinkx woefully declared that she — like many of us — was “so tired of caring,” DeLa delivered the needed reality check: “I’m tired of people not caring.”
The fabulous costume design and gifted background performers helped elevate 2024’s Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show to new heights, that’s for certain. But the thing that always made this zany show work is what worked best for the 150th time on Thursday night; a pair of best friends and talented performers who know exactly how to balance the real with the delightfully absurd.
For 38 years, the annual Footwear News Achievement Awards (FNAA), known as the “Shoe Oscars,” have celebrated style icons, compelling brand stories, dedicated philanthropists, rising talents, and seasoned industry leaders.
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On Dec. 4, 2024, in New York City, the star-studded red carpet and gala honored Kenneth Cole with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden as Person of the Year, and New Balance as Company of the Year, among others.
The evening was filled with joy, appreciation and a touch of drama. Adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden stirred the crowd with a light jab at Nike while accepting the 2024 FN Achievement Award for Person of the Year.
“As I said last year when Nike was here — they’re not here this year, which is funny. It was a joke, it was a joke,” he quipped during his speech.
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As the night unfolded, memorable moments like this continued to make the 2024 FNAA an event to remember. Here are the five best moments from the evening.
Rihanna’s Surprise Appearance
Rihanna attends Footwear News Achievement Awards (FNAAs) 2024 at Cipriani South Street on Dec. 4, 2024 in New York City.
Craig Barritt/Footwear News via Getty Images
Rihanna attended the 2024 FNAA to support her partner, A$AP Rocky, who was honored alongside Puma as Collaborator of the Year. She graced the red carpet in a white dress paired with matching white gladiator sandals, turning heads with her effortless style.
It’s inspiring to see the couple continuously pushing each other to be the best versions of themselves. Rihanna, who previously won Shoe of the Year with Puma in 2016 for her Puma Fenty Creeper, has now passed the torch to Rocky, who is following in her stylish footsteps.
As one of entertainment’s favorite couples, Rocky and Rihanna were photographed together on the carpet, chatting about their children, their relationship, and the seamless connection between music and fashion.
Throughout the evening, Rihanna was a constant presence, cheering Rocky on from the background and allowing him to bask in his moment. She was the ultimate supportive cheerleader, ensuring he received his well-deserved flowers.
Law Roach Presents On With Brand of the Year Award
Law Roach speaks onstage during the the Footwear News Achievement Awards (FNAAs) 2024 at Cipriani South Street on Dec. 4, 2024 in New York City.
Craig Barritt/Footwear News via Getty Images
Law Roach was given the opportunity to present Trailblazing Brand On with the Brand of the Year award, bringing his signature humor to the stage. “Why is the glamorous Law Roach here — someone who has never run a marathon and doesn’t plan to — presenting an award to a sportswear brand?” he mused, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Before Roach took the stage, a promotional video played, showcasing the Swiss brand and its partnership with multi-hyphenate Zendaya, alongside other athletes wearing and running in On sneakers.
Zendaya, a Billboard Hot 100 artist, led Roach to the brand, sharing, “Zendaya, my muse, who is now their brand partner, as they have been creating inspiring campaigns that bring together community, movement and storytelling.”
Roach’s collaboration with Zendaya began in 2011, and he is now celebrated as the architect of her red carpet style. Their close connection adds to the authenticity of his role in presenting On with the prestigious award.
On, known for its innovative designs and high-performance footwear, has gained widespread appeal both in the athletic community and among fashion-forward individuals. Its ability to seamlessly blend function with style has made it a standout brand, especially in a footwear space traditionally dominated by older, more established companies.
Angel Reese Gets Honest
One of the best moments of the night came when Chicago Sky forward and WNBA All-Star Angel Reese took the stage to accept the award for Style Influencer of the Year. While Reese is often seen at her very best, that night, she decided to be vulnerable with the room full of style stars, footwear icons, and industry veterans.
“I’m 22 years old, I’m still figuring life out, but this is just the beginning,” she shared. She went on to explain that her first-ever signature sneaker with Reebok would be coming in 2026.
Reese took a moment to thank her family and team for their unwavering support, as well as her fan army, the “Reese’s Pieces,” and Reebok for helping bring her dreams to life.
“I want to give a huge shoutout to Reebok for just believing in me and bringing my visions to life. Everything I ever wanted with them — and I am continuing with them — my dreams have already come true. They’ve given me the platform to be myself, unapologetically myself, and I really love that.”
Snoop Dogg Surprises Martha Stewart with Icon Award Presentation
Martha Stewart was honored with the Icon Award, but little did the room know, it would lead to the surprise of two icons in one moment. To everyone’s surprise, a video began playing, and it was none other than Snoop Dogg himself introducing his good buddy Martha Stewart as the recipient of the 2024 Icon Award.
“My friend Martha Stewart is the ultimate boss,” Snoop began, sitting comfortably in his The Voice chair. “She’s an amazing footwear ambassador for the brand, expanding it for women along with her empire.” He continued, “Now it’s my honor to present my friend, the one and only, the diva, Martha Stewart with the Footwear News Icon Award.”
Martha took the stage and shared a story about asking Siri what an icon was. Siri responded, “A small on-screen picture that represents an app, a file, or a folder, on a computer or other device,” she read aloud. Martha jokingly expressed confusion about the kind of award she was receiving, bringing laughter to the crowd. Her speech was wholesome and funny, and the audience loved every moment of it.
A$AP Rocky Accepting Collaboration of the Year
A$AP Rocky is truly one of a kind. Only he could “talk a lot of s—t” while still giving everyone who deserves it their flowers.
“Yo, this is nuts,” he began. “Initially, I just wanted to come up here and talk a lot of s—t about how lit, how handsome I am, how we’re the best, but honestly, I’m very humbled by this whole experience. I would rather just speak from the heart and be genuine.”
We knew it was going to be a great night when Emory Jones, Head of Lifestyle at Roc Nation and co-founder of the Paper Planes apparel brand, introduced him.
Pretty Flacko’s speech was heartfelt, and he described the honor as “one of the best accomplishments ever.” He then shouted out his lady, Rihanna, who was also honored by FN in 2016. “I was inspired, I saw my lady receive this thing almost a decade ago.” This was definitely a full-circle moment for the couple.