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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.
From Snoop Dogg’s surprisingly stylish clothing line to Sabrina Carpenter’s favorite fragrance, here’s what we’re picking up from Walmart this season.
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Country music’s biggest stars are shining bright this holiday season with the 15th annual CMA Country Christmas special. Hosted by Grammy winners Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood for the second year in a row, the variety show brings together country singers and gospel singers to celebrate the Christmas season.
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While it originally aired on ABC this week, you can now watch CMA Country Christmas online through Hulu. The streaming service has CMA Country Christmas available to stream on-demand for all subscribers, as part of its “Huludays” festive lineup.
Log into Hulu.com with your account details to start watching all the performances from CMA Country Christmas online. Not a subscriber? Hulu‘s latest promotion gets you up to one month of access to the streaming service for free, with no commitment. Your free trial lets you watch all of Hulu’s on-demand shows, movies and specials from your TV, computer, tablet or phone (via the Hulu app).
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Sign up for Hulu’s free trial here. Plans start at just $9.99/month after your trial period is up. See full details here.
CMA Country Christmas features a cavalcade of artists performing both Christmas classics and new festive hits. Grant and Yearwood team up to perform “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” and Grant’s 1982 Christian hit, “Sing Your Praise to the Lord.” Grant also performs “Tennessee Christmas,” while Yearwood takes on a Christmas medley.
The lineup of performers also includes FOR KING + COUNTRY and Carin León, who team up to perform “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” while recent CMA winner Cody Johnson performs “White Christmas” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
Ashley McBryde and Brittney Spencer team up to perform “Man With The Bag,” Jon Pardi sings “400 Horsepower Sleigh,” and Gospel legend CeCe Winans takes the crowd to church with a spirited rendition of “Joy to the World.”
This is the 15th year that CMA Country Christmas has been broadcast. Filmed in Nashville in front of a live audience, the holiday special is an official production of the Country Music Association.
Watch CMA Country Christmas on-demand now on Hulu.
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The new Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, doesn’t hit theaters until Christmas Day, but hype for the new movie has propelled a seven-year-old audiobook about the singer back onto the charts.
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Dylan Goes Electric!: Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties was originally released in 2017, but the audiobook has returned to the top of Audible’s music charts on the heels of the upcoming film release.
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Written by music historian and journalist Elijah Wald (and narrated by Sean Runnette), Dylan Goes Electric follows the uproar that ensued after Dylan took the stage at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 backed by an electric band, rather than his usual acoustic setup. Kicking off his set with an amplified version of “Maggie’s Farm,” Dylan then roared into his rock and roll hit, “Like a Rolling Stone,” much to the chagrin of what the book describes as “folk purists and political activists who had hailed him as their acoustic prophet.”
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Dylan Goles Electric traces the genesis of that performance and tracks the resulting fallout from the show, described as “a mix of shock, booing, and scattered cheers.” The singer did not return to the Newport Festival for 37 years after that night. Was Dylan indebted to the folk community for making him their star? Or did the artist have free reign to explore his musical independence and blaze a bold new path?
As Wald writes in the book, “It was the shot heard round the world – Dylan’s declaration of musical independence, the end of the folk revival, and the birth of rock as the voice of a generation – and one of the defining moments in 20th-century music.”
The publisher notes, meantime, write that “Wald explores the cultural, political, and historical context of this seminal event that embodies the transformative decade that was the sixties,” diving “deep into the folk revival, the rise of rock, and the tensions between traditional and groundbreaking music to provide new insights into Dylan’s artistic evolution.”
Dylan Goes Electric is available now on audiobook for $15 through Amazon. But you can listen to the book for just $0.99 as part of a new Audible deal, that gets you three months of access for just $3. Offer ends December 31 so we recommend signing up for the Audible promo while it’s still live. See full details here.
The Dylan Goes Electric audiobook has a run time of 11 hours and 56 minutes. The Timothee Chalamet-led A Complete Unknown, meantime, hits theaters December 25.
Well, that was fast. Wicked has been making box-office history since it opened on Nov. 22. The long-awaited film adaptation of the 2003 Broadway musical has already grossed $372.9 million worldwide, a total topped by only three other films that were based on Broadway musicals.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo star in the film, which was directed by Jon M. Chu, whose hit-studded résumé includes a previous film adaptation of a Broadway musical, the 2021 movie version of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s breakout hit In the Heights.
Seven film adaptations of Broadway musicals appear on Box Office Mojo’s list of the top 1,000 films in terms of lifetime worldwide grosses. That counts Mamma Mia!, a film adaptation of the 2001 stage musical built around ABBA music, but not its Cher-featuring sequel Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, on the grounds that the latter was really just a sequel to a hit movie, not a Broadway musical. (The sequel did astonishingly well, with a worldwide gross of $395.6 million.) Of course, not all sequels are guaranteed to become box-office successes. Grease is here, but its 1982 sequel, Grease 2, which grossed just $15 million worldwide, didn’t come close. (Michelle Pfeiffer, the star of Grease 2, is represented on this list with Hairspray.)
Wicked Part Two is due for release on Nov. 21, 2025. Will it follow its predecessor to box-office glory? If it does, Chu will join Rob Marshall as the only director with two films on this list; Marshall directed both Chicago and Into the Woods.
One disclaimer about this list right at the top: You can’t really compare box-office grosses of films from different eras. The biggest blockbusters of earlier eras simply can’t match the grosses of today’s hits. (It’s not just your imagination that ticket prices are much higher than they used to be.) The Sound of Music has grossed $159.5 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo – not enough to make their list of 1,000 top-grossing films. But that 1965 adaptation of the 1959 Broadway musical is one of the biggest hits in film history.
Other film adaptations of Broadway musicals that have grossed more than $50 million worldwide, but not enough to make the list, include Dreamgirls ($155.5 million), the 2021 version of West Side Story ($76 million), My Fair Lady ($72.7 million) and Funny Girl ($52.2 million).
Here are the seven top-grossing film adaptations of Broadway musicals. All appear Box Office Mojo’s list of the top 1,000 films in terms of lifetime worldwide grosses.
Hairspray
Image Credit: ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection
Shaboozey is ready to get tipsy at 30 Rock, with the 29-year-old breakout country star set to make his Saturday Night Live musical guest debut alongside host Paul Mescal this weekend. And in a new promo video for the episode, ‘Boozey and SNL cast member Chloe Fineman flank the Gladiator II star, who at first […]
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After a long and hard-hitting season of , the SEC Championship (NCAA Southeastern Conference Football) game matchup is locked up with the best of the best from the conference going head-to-head to win the championship trophy.
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For the SEC Championship 2024: The Georgia Bulldogs (10-2) take on the Texas Longhorns (11-1) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, Dec. 7.
When Does SEC Championship 2024 Start?
The Georgia vs. Texas game broadcasts live, with kickoff at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT. The college football championship game airs on ABC.
Where to Watch SEC Championship 2024 for Free
For cord-cutters, there are a few ways to watch Georgia Bulldogs vs. Texas Longhorns, if you don’t have cable — especially if you want to watch for free. DirecTV Stream has a five-day free trial, while other streaming services — such as Hulu + Live TV and Fubo — also offer free trials, so you can watch ABC for free.
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Keep reading for more details on how to watch the Georgia-Texas game with DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.
How to Watch SEC Championship 2024 with DirecTV Stream
A subscription to DirecTV Stream — which comes with ABC for Bulldogs vs. Longhorns — gets you access to live TV, local and cable channels, starting at $74.99 per month. The service even offers a five-day free trial to watch for free, if you sign up now.
You can watch local networks such as NBC, CBS, Fox, and PBS, while you can also watch many cable networks, including ESPN, FS1, Lifetime, FX, AMC, A&E, Bravo, BET, MTV, Paramount Network, Cartoon Network, VH1, Fuse, CNN, Food Network, CNBC and many others.
How to Watch SEC Championship 2024 with Hulu + Live TV
The Georgia Bulldogs vs. Texas Longhorns game on ABC is available to watch with Hulu + Live TV too. Prices for the cable alternative start at $82.99 per month, while each plan comes with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ at no additional cost.
Hulu + Live TV might be best for those who want all of these streaming services together in one bundle. It also features many other networks, including ESPN, CBS, Hallmark Channel, BET, CMT, Disney Channel, NBC, Fox Sports and more.
How to Watch SEC Championship 2024 with Fubo
To watch Georgia vs. Texas on ABC, Fubo starts at $49.99 per month (the streamer’s current deal) with nearly 200 channels — including local and cable — that are streamable on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets and on web browsers. And with a seven-day free trial, you can watch for free, if you act fast and sign up now.
The service even gets you live access to local broadcast networks including NBC, Fox and CBS, while it also has dozens of cable networks, such as ESPN, Bravo, CMT, ID, TV Land, VH1, TLC, E!, FS1, MTV, FX, Ion, OWN, Paramount Network and much more.
Who Is Performing During SEC Championship 2024 Halftime Show
Since it’s a college football game, the Georgia Redcoat Marching Band and Texas Longhorn Band are set to perform at halftime of the SEC Championship.
How to Buy SEC Championship 2024 Tickets Online
Want to attend the Georgia-Texas game in person? There are still last-minute tickets to the SEC Championship game available via Vivid Seats (get $20 off purchases of $200 and over with code BB2024), SeatGeek (your first purchases can get $10 off ticket order $250 and with code BILLBOARD10), StubHub and GameTime (score $20 off ticket orders of $150 and over with code SAVE20). Prices vary depending on the city and seats available.
Moreover, you can save $150 off when you spend $500 with promo code BILLBOARD150, or $300 off when you spend $1,000 with promo code BILLBOARD300 at TicketNetwork.com.
Starting at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT, SEC Championship 2024: Georgia Bulldogs vs. Texas Longhorns broadcast on ABC, while it’s also available to livestream with DirecTV Stream on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
In the opening moments of his latest project, Troye Sivan makes it clear that his career would not be what it is today had it not been for the queer artists who came before him. “I’m definitely not fighting for my life on the street — I get to make music videos and I get to be true to who I am,” he said. “I do feel like I really carry that with me with kind of a sense of guilt because of how lucky I feel.”
The acknowledgement comes from Sivan’s appearance on a new installation of the Audible original series Origins. Throughout the episode, Sivan dives deep into his personal backstory, examining key moments from his early life that helped foster his love of music today. In the process, he takes a look forward at where his career is headed — and what that means for music at large.
Sivan isn’t the only artist taking a deep dive on the new series. With four episodes released on Thursday (Dec. 5), Origins also delves into the childhood stories of Victoria Monét, Kali Uchis and Dominic Fike.
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Ahead of his appearance on the series, Billboard spoke with Sivan about the importance of acknowledging his queer forebearers, the “lightning in a bottle” feeling of his co-headlining Sweat Tour with Charli XCX and what’s giving him hope in dark times.
You speak a bit in this episode about the queer artists and bits of pop culture who came before you that helped pave the way for your career. Why is it important for younger listeners to learn more about our queer elders?
I feel that understanding the contributions of queer artists who came before us is vital. They navigated challenges we can’t even imagine, often at great personal risk, to express their truths and create art that resonated with their experiences. For me, it’s about honoring their legacy and understanding the cultural and historical context that shapes our present.
When you look at the very queer pop moment that we’re living in now, how do you acknowledge your place in pushing this genre forward?
I feel incredibly fortunate to feel a small part of a moment where queer voices are more visible and celebrated in pop culture. My aim has always been to create authentic art that felt true and genuine to me. I’ve always felt that people are smart and in tune to what is real, which actually makes my job fairly easy — to listen to myself and to make something real to me, that I like, and that I am proud of.
You also speak in the episode about the internet as a place for you to explore your sexuality. Obviously, the internet has changed a lot, especially over the last few years. Do you find yourself worrying for the continued curation of those safe spaces online?
I don’t know what I would have done without the internet — it has been a crucial platform for so many in the LGBTQ+ community to explore and express themselves. It’s changed a lot, and I think people always need to be weary and keep safety in mind, but I do also feel that there will always be those safe havens and communities online that foster a feeling of being seen and heard, if you know where to look.
We also get to hear you talk about the start of your acting career in the episode. Do you see yourself returning to acting any time soon, or are you more interested in focusing on your musical career?
Acting has always been a passion of mine, and I cherish the opportunities I’ve had in that realm. While music remains my primary focus, I’m open to exploring acting projects that resonate with me and scare me. I feel lucky to be able to approach acting like this, as a passion, rather than a day job.
You wrapped up the Sweat Tour with Charli last month. How do you feel looking back now on that experience today in terms of the arc of your career?
The Sweat Tour felt like lightning in a bottle. Reflecting on it, I already feel so nostalgic for it and see it as a bright highlight in my life. It spoke to all the things that feel so important to me — pop, community, collaboration, friendship.
We’re living through some pretty scary times for queer and trans people around the world. What’s giving you hope about our collective future with everything going on?
The resilience and solidarity within the queer and trans communities gives me hope. The same strength and resilience that’s got us to this point is present in our communities today.
From controversial awards show performances to community-affirming song releases, the last 25 years saw LGBTQ+ music move from the fringes to the forefront of pop culture.