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Three years ago, no one would have predicted that a ragtag group of NFL players would put out an album of music that didn’t just break into the Billboard charts but actually sounded good. Yet The Philly Specials — as Philadelphia Eagles offensive linemen Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata called themselves — did just that and much more. Over the course of three holiday albums, they’ve not only become unlikely chart stars, attracting luminaries from the actual pop music world to collaborate, but they’ve raised astounding sums for charity with each release.
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Their most recent, A Philly Special Christmas Party, is their biggest yet: with 32,000 copies sold in its first week out in November 2024 — including 22,000 vinyl pressings — its debut had the largest sales week for a holiday release on vinyl in the modern era. It hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart, No. 2 on Holiday Albums, Vinyl and Top Album Sales, and No. 16 on the Billboard 200.
And in an unprecedented feat of philanthropic outreach, the proceeds benefited Operation Snowball, which delivered a gift to every student and teacher in the School District of Philadelphia (for a total of 1.1 million items) in partnership with the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, with the players making in-person visits to spread holiday cheer.
Kait Pritivera
Like its two LP predecessors, A Philly Special Christmas features the unlikely vocal talents of Kelce (now retired from his legendary run as the Eagles’ cente,r but busy as ever hosting the New Heights podcast with his brother, Travis Kelce; ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown; and, now, the network’s new They Call It Late Night With Jason Kelce), Johnson and Mailata, along with high-profile musical guests (Stevie Nicks, Boyz II Men).
But the album wouldn’t have become a hit without two key behind-the-scenes forces: Connor Barwin – a longtime friend of Kelce’s, who is himself a former Eagle (and also now the organization’s head of development and strategy) – and Charlie Hall, drummer for alt-rock arena-fillers The War on Drugs and the Philly Specials’ producer and musical director.
Barwin and Hall spoke to Billboard as they recovered from the whirlwind release of A Philly Special Christmas and Operation Snowball about what football players and musicians can learn from each other, watching Jason Kelce and Stevie Nicks duet, and discovering Travis Kelce’s vocal talents.
Tell me a bit about your individual roles in getting the album together.
Connor Barwin: It started with being good friends with Jason, Lane and Jordan. I played with Jason from college [at University of Cincinnati] till Phill,; played with Lane in Philly for a long time — and then working for the team, obviously got to know Jordan really well. I heard Jason throw out this idea of making a Christmas record, and I knew all these guys were very talented musically.
I’m someone who really appreciates and loves music and had gotten to know quite a lot of people in the music industry through my [Make The World Better Foundation] that I started when I came to Philly. And one of the many wonderful benefit shows I’ve thrown was with Charlie and The War on Drugs. Jason knows Charlie as well – he’s one of the best musicians, he’s an Eagles fan, he’s local – so I immediately thought, “This is who we should call.”
We all got together and Charlie started asking the right questions: What songs are important to you? How do you think about Christmas music? We sort of left that meeting all very much committed to taking it seriously. My role from then on has been trying to keep it all together; there’s a lot of busy people, a lot of different stakeholders, so making sure we’re finding time to do this the right way, where it doesn’t intersect with their main career — which is playing football for the Eagles — but finding a balance, because this is very fun and fulfilling for them.
Kait Pritivera
Charlie Hall: I don’t think we had any idea when we started doing this what sort of shape or scope it would have. But from that first meeting, just seeing the way the guys were passing the guitar around, it was like wow, these guys are deeply connected, they’re doing this thing at the highest level in their “real” jobs but they also approach music with that same mindset of “we want to make this great.” And they did!
When you set out to make this third record, did you have in mind big goals in terms of people you wanted to get on it or songs that you wanted to take on?
Barwin: With how old we all are, and being in Philadelphia, it made sense, like — if we could ever get Boyz II Men on the record, that would be incredible. But at the end of the day, I never really had any goals other than making something we were proud of, having fun and raising money.
Who’s harder to convince to participate: high-profile musicians or football players?
Hall: It’s scary singing into a microphone, hearing yourself that closely and in headphones… There’s a lot of the guys’ friends [on the team] that can sing, but I would probably argue that it’s a little harder to get some of the players.
Barwin: Yeah, I agree. But it’s also been really fun watching these guys in the studio with professional musicians and seeing how they’re inspiring each other. As a former athlete that still works in the NFL, it’s really cool to just show everyone that these guys, who are some of the best football players in the world, are brave enough to try something that they’re not completely comfortable with. It’s an inspiring thing for a lot of people, whether they’re athletes or not, to see: that if you or the world is putting you in this one place, you can try something else. It’s cool for kids to see that…
Hall: And for their teammates to see that, for the musicians to see it. To see these guys out of their element just going for it and having the confidence to try and get better… I learned so much from every single person that came through that door, musically, interpersonally, professionally.
Kait Pritivera
Jeff Stoutland, aka Stout — the Eagles’ legendary run-game coordinator and offensive line coach — has a humorous feature on this album’s cover of “It’s Christmas Don’t Be Late,” better known as The Chipmunk Song. How did you get him involved?
Barwin: Stout is known as one of the most hardcore, best coaches in the world, and it’s no surprise to me that he understands how fun and important something like this is. But the Chipmunks thing was a Charlie/Jason idea that came out of the studio. You really love that song, and Jason thought, “You know, Stout would be perfect,” and he was game for it. People know how great of a coach he is, but he really looks at these guys like family, and he’s so proud of them to be doing something outside of football.
Hall: I think Stout gets a kick out of it – and [he likes] showing the guys that yeah, doing something off the field has impact.
The big reveal of Stevie Nicks on the record, duetting with Jason on Ron Sexsmith’s “Maybe This Christmas,” was huge. How did that happen, and what was it like seeing her and Jason working together?
Barwin: I mean, just seeing her was amazing, and then seeing her with Jason was very cool, the respect they had for each other and how happy they were to be together doing this. The backstory is, you know, as the Kelce family’s rise has happened, I think there was just some admiration [on Stevie’s part] for what a wonderful family they are. And I think Stevie had met Travis at a show before, and so their teams had sort of known each other, and Charlie had this song, so we said, you know, let’s ask Stevie if she wants to do it, she would be perfect for this. And she was game right from the beginning. When she came to the studio, she was so happy to be there, and she was awesome to be around.
Hall: I think it’s fair to say that sense of humor is part of the connective tissue here. You think of Stevie as this, like, magical creature who exists on like another plane, and yes, she kind of is, but then there’s this sense of humor that was at the forefront of her and Jason’s connection.
There was a very positive fan reaction to Travis’ first Philly Specials vocal appearance last year on A Philly Special Christmas Special, on “Fairytale of Philadelphia” with Jason, and he returns here on “It’s Christmas Time (In Cleveland Heights)” with Jason and Boyz II Men. He does a full-on ‘90s-style slow jam spoken intro and sings quite nicely. Were his vocals a surprise, or is he just naturally talented at singing, too?
Hall: Totally naturally talented. And kind of approaches things head-first, just scratch- scratching away, and then bam, it’s there. It was really, really awesome to watch both years the way he approached his stuff – he’d just jump in there and literally find his way. And his and Jason’s voices, they obviously share DNA, so there’s a quality that makes them blend really well.
Barwin: So here’s a story I can tell: Charlie went out to KC to record Travis both times. And the first time, Charlie gets back and tells me, “That’s one of the most wild things I’ve ever witnessed in my life.” Because they started working on the song and in the first like 10 minutes, Travis is singing, and Charlie was like, “Oh, I don’t know if this is a good idea…” And then Travis asked to hear it back, and then asked for some feedback, Charlie gave him some feedback – and then the dude just got in there, and in like 15 minutes, found it. It went from “this might not work” to “holy s–t, this guy is in it, we gotta keep going!” It speaks to just how much of a talent and a performer he is, and why he’s such a great athlete and been so successful.
It’s been so fun to discover some of the hidden vocal talents among the Eagles, like Jordan Davis last year. Are there any other hidden gems on the team who, if you were continuing the project, you’d want to get on wax?
Barwin: I need to find that out — I know there’s a few. I’m not going to put them out there on blast right now, because then people will be begging them.
Hall: And we know who is not, and we’re not going to say that either. [Laughs.]
The Philly Specials project has just become more and more successful – why stop now?
Barwin: I think it just feels like the right time, being the third one, to end. It’s just such a special thing that happened, and I think all of us don’t want to change that and overdo it. We just want to keep it as magical as it’s been. Who knows where we’ll all be come next summer — maybe there’s a song or two, a couple more Eagles who can sing, or special guests that that we end up doing something to sort of keep this tradition going. But right now, it feels like maybe stop while we’re in a good place.
Hall: It truly has become this kind of strange, giant family that’s definitely connected for life. So who knows?
Barwin: What we were able to scale up and do this year has never been done before, and there are really big partners that want to find a way to do it in maybe other cities and with other teams, other players. So you know, who knows where this will end up. At the end of the day, there’s still such a big opportunity to continue to merge [the sports and music] worlds together for the benefit of everybody, for both athletes and musicians. We don’t quite have it figured out, but we’ve met a lot of people and know how to keep the artists and the athletes in the front position and make sure the music is at the forefront. And when you do that, you’ll make something that people connect to. Hopefully we can be helpful in facilitating more stuff like this.
Jon M. Chu would love to tell you all about the Britney Spears biopic he’s working on. But speaking to Billboard on the red carpet at Sunday night’s (Jan. 5) Golden Globe Awards, the Wicked director said, for now, he can’t say much. “I really can’t talk about that yet,” he said of the upcoming Universal Pictures movie he working on based on the pop princess’ best-selling memoir, The Woman in Me.
“I’m a big fan of Britney. I’ve been a fan since I was young and she was young and she was one of 12 acts at the Shrine Auditorium,” Chu added in the video you can watch above. “So I want to do her justice and tell her story right. But we’ll see. We’re developing it now and it’s a long road ahead.”
Back in November, Chu told The Hollywood Reporter that the script for the Spears film was not written yet — and that no writer had been hired at that point — but that in its initial conception he expects it to be “a lot about how we treat people, young people, stars that we think we own, women, mothers.”
Variety has reported that Universal Pictures landed the rights to make a movie of the Spears memoir, which chronicles her rise to fame, her high-profile relationship with Justin Timberlake and her life under a very restrictive 13-year conservancy; Chu will direct with Marc Platt tapped to produce.
While it’s unknown where the script is at this point, in September Spears cryptically revealed in an Instagram post that it is “flattering to be in such good company like Jon Chu,” adding that “the project I might be doing isn’t a biopic story … it’s a fictional musical where I play an extremely intelligent character !!!”
Chu had (a little) more to say about the second installment of Wicked, which will bring fresh surprises, including a song co-written by co-star Cynthia Erivo. “I can say nothing other than I’ve very excited for people to see For Good,” Chu told Billboard when asked about the songs singer/actress Erivo penned for the eagerly anticipated sequel due out later this year. “It’s really good.”
In December, Erivo told Variety that in addition to prepping her debut album she has worked with composer Stephen Schwartz to write an original song for Elphaba that she said is “so special to me… when we filmed it, the entire crew was in tears. I hope audiences are ready — it’s a song that speaks to the heart of who Elphaba is.”
Billboard also asked about one of the most talked-about deleted scenes, the so-called “friendship montage” between Ariana Grande’s Glinda and Erivo’s Elphaba. “I might use it in another movie. I have another movie to go!” Chu said.
With the second part of the musical adaptation, Wicked: For Good, due out on November 21, Chu teased that “there’s certain footage that I can’t release because I don’t know if I’m going to use it yet.” But, joking that he’s already gotten in trouble with movie studio Universal Pictures for promising certain things, Chu said, “I’ll consider it.”
When asked to make the hardest choice of all: Team Elphaba or Team Glinda? Chu took the diplomatic route. “You’re gonna get me in trouble. These girls watch what colors I wear every day!” Chu said of his eagle-eyed co-lead actresses. “I love both of them so much,” he added. “Every day I’m a little Elphaba and a little bit Glinda.”
Fifteen years after the release of her debut album, Animal, Kesha is feeling nostalgic. In an Instagram post on Sunday (Jan. 5), the singer looked back on the making of the 2010 LP that made her a star and featured such beloved tracks as “Your Love Is My Drug,” “Tik Tok,” “Blah Blah Blah” and “Party at a Rich Dude’s House.”
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“I spent my whole life learning the art of songwriting from my mom, an iconic songwriter herself, so when Animal came out, it was a culmination of the sounds of growing up, the sounds of falling in love, heartbreak, the sounds of coming of age, and I had no idea what these songs would open up for me and what kind of life I would be creating for myself just by putting these songs out in the world,” Kesha wrote, giving props to her mom, Pebe Sebert, a Nashville songwriter known for co-writing the 1980 Dolly Parton track “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You.”
“I’m so happy I did, and so happy you’ve connected to it the way that you have, and continue to do so,” she added, noting that the album’s debut hit, “Tik Tok,” had its biggest streaming day ever on Spotify last week following her set on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest. “Just goes to show that we all go through these same pivotal feelings and emotions growing up. I’m so happy to have grown up with all of you. Happy anniversary Animal. I had no idea you were that b–ch. But turns out you totally are.”
In an accompanying video, a then 22-year-old Kesha is asked what she thinks about how happy Animal is making her fans. “The only reason I made this record is to make kids have fun and have dance parties and inspire people to just be happy,” she says, her face covered in glitter in the clip that ends with a montage of looks and iconic moments from that era. “This whole is just kind of a very youthful, irreverent record. And I want it to be one of those records that you just put on and no matter what you’re doing or where you are it makes you happy.”
The singer has released the songs “Delusional” and “Joyride” as the first singles from her upcoming, as-yet-untitled sixth album, which will be the first release from her Kesha Records imprint.
Jade Thirlwall has discussed her time on The X Factor as a member of pop group Little Mix, who won the eighth series of the British version of the talent show in 2011.
Alongside bandmates Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson, the quartet were the first group to win the British version of the show. Little Mix went on to release six studio albums, most recently 2020’s Confetti. The band went on hiatus in 2022 and all members have pursued solo careers in the ensuing years.
Speaking to The Independent, Thirlwall said some parts of the show were “pretty f––ed up” while expanding on the pressures of appearing on the show, and the level of safeguarding contestants were offered. The British version of the show last aired in 2018, though other versions of the franchise continue to air elsewhere around the globe, including Denmark, Italy and Indonesia, among others.
“I think it had to end, I don’t think that kind of show can exist any more. We’re in a different place now,” Thirlwall said of the competition. “We wouldn’t put someone that’s mentally unwell on a TV screen and laugh at them while they sing terribly. The concept of a joke act on a show is just cruel. It’s all very Roman empire. But then at the same time, was it not the best training ever for me to enter the music industry?”
Thirlwall added: “I don’t know anyone that’s come off that show and not had some sort of mental health issue on the back of it, but also, even now, personally I’m conflicted criticizing [it], because it changed my life,” she said. “I was from a very normal working-class family up north, I had tried sending demos into labels, I’d gigged all over, I was doing everything I could to make it, and I needed a show like that to give me a chance.”
Thirlwall, who auditioned for the show three times, also spoke on the housing situation for female contestants who were placed in shared dormitories. “Even at 18, I knew there were people who weren’t mentally well in there, keeping everyone up at night,” Thirlwall said. “I don’t know if there was even security outside the house. It’s scary to think about now, but I was too young to realize that at the time.”
She continued: “I’d say five per cent of the people that went on there have come out of it not unscathed, but having survived; the other 95 per cent have suffered in silence,” she said. “How do you go from being on that show to back to your nine-to-five? How do you get signed to the label, think you’ve made it, and then once your song doesn’t hit the Top 10, you’re just dropped? It’s so savage, this machine that we’re a part of. Even back then, we knew how lucky we were every day that we were still signed.”
In 2023, Rebecca Ferguson, who was runner-up in 2010 to Matt Cardle in season seven, criticized the show and described her experience as “traumatic,” and implored broadcaster ITV to investigate. The show again came under criticism following the death of One Direction’s Liam Payne in October 2024, who also appeared on the show in the same season as Ferguson and faced numerous addiction and mental health battles throughout his career.
Later this week (Jan. 10), Thirlwall will release her latest solo single “IT Girl” via Sony Music. Her 2023 single “Angel Of My Dreams,” which tackled the industry’s darker side, featured in Billboard U.K.’s Songs of the Year list, and “showcased a fierce, focused artist ready to embrace every facet of her new solo era.”
Ariana Grande‘s Eternal Sunshine era is not over. Though she’s been focused on all things Glinda since the release of Wicked, she’s got some kind of companion to her 2024 album up her sleeves.
The “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” singer was asked if she’s working on any new music while walking the 2025 Golden Globes red carpet Sunday night (Jan. 5). Grande was nominated in the award category of best performance by a female actor in a supporting role in any motion picture, for her role in Wicked; the award ended up going to Zoe Saldaña, for her work in Emilia Pérez.
“It’s not something I’m thinking about right now,” Grande told Access Hollywood, before teasing: “But, you know, there’s something I made last year that will come out eventually. It’s an attachment of Eternal Sunshine. So, that does exist, and that will be coming out at some point.”“But no, I’m not in the studio at the moment,” she clarified.
What exactly is “an attachment of Eternal Sunshine“? With no further details provided, it’s hard to say — but “attachment” is an interesting word choice. It could just be a roundabout way of referring to an extended version of the album, with previously unheard songs, or perhaps it could be a standalone project that’s tied to Eternal Sunshine in some way.
Eternal Sunshine ruled the Billboard 200 at No. 1 for two weeks in 2024, and it’s spent a total of 42 weeks on the chart so far. Album singles “Yes, And?” and “We Can’t Be Friends” both reached No. 1 on the Hot 100.
The standard release of Eternal Sunshine was already followed by a “Slightly Deluxe” version of the album, featuring four additional tracks, in March: “Yes, And?” with Mariah Carey, “Supernatural” with Troye Sivan, an acoustic recording of “Imperfect for You” and an a capella version of “True Story.”
While Grande didn’t take home an award Sunday night, she glowed at the Golden Globes in pale yellow, archival Givenchy. With her hair pulled back in a sweet ponytail and gloves covering her arms, the focus was on the empire-waist, beaded-bodice gown the singer-actress wore from the designer’s 1966 collection. According to People, an archivist at Givenchy shared, “The dress is pale yellow silk with a hand-beaded bodice … from the epic Givenchy Haute Couture/Audrey Hepburn era … one of the most important unions between a designer and muse.”
See the full winners list from the 2025 Golden Globes here.
Camila Cabello and Henry Junior Chalhoub, the Lebanese businessman the pop star’s rumored to be dating, were caught in a PDA-filled moment in paparazzi photos published by TMZ on Sunday (Jan. 4).
The “I Luv It” singer and her apparent love interest were seen frolicking in the ocean in St. Barts over the weekend. Pictures posted on TMZ and Page Six show the couple locking lips and being playful at the beach, where they held hands and enjoyed time together in the water.
Cabello, wearing a brown and white triangle bikini top and coordinating bottoms, kissed Chalhoub while the pair went for a swim.
The New Year sighting of Cabello and Chalhoub together in Saint Barthélemy is the first time they’ve been captured on camera getting cozy. Though neither of them have confirmed being in a relationship, rumors previously surfaced of them linking up in November in Saudi Arabia, at an after-party for an Elie Saab fashion show. Cabello performed a medley of singles including “Never Be the Same,” “Shameless,” “Señorita,” “Havana” and “I Luv It” at the Elie Saab show.
The Chalhoub family is behind the Middle East’s leading luxury retailer, the Chalhoub Group, headquartered in Dubai.
Last month, Cabello spoke about the response to her most recent album, 2024’s C,XOXO, in a profile for Nylon. C,XOXO debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 albums chart upon its release in June.
Cabello said she felt the album was “misunderstood,” but she got praise from the best: “Oh, f—, now I’m going to sound name-drop-y,” she said. “But Beyoncé told me she loved my album, OK? That’s the gold star.”
“And I walked away fully, like, tears brimming in my eyes,” Cabello said. “She’s somebody I’ve watched from my childhood. Her and Taylor saying nice things about the album really meant a lot to me. Any time an artist that I respect has said something to me like, ‘Hey, I really love what you’re doing,’ it recharges my battery. A lot of the time I felt so misunderstood.”
Two legends are celebrating diamond anniversaries together this year: Princess Cruises (aka “The Love Boat”) and The Temptations. And fans are welcome to join in the festivities when Princess sets sail on its 14-day 60th Anniversary Mexican Riviera Voyage on Dec. 6, 2025. Also on board for a special performance will be The Temptations, who […]
Selena Gomez was photographed on two red carpets, styled in contrasting and confident looks, in Palm Springs, California, on Friday and Saturday (Jan. 3 and 4).
Gomez was in town for the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Film Awards Gala, where she accepted the Vanguard Award with the cast of Emilia Pérez and the film’s director, Jacques Audiard.
The singer-actress walked the Palm Springs Film Fest red carpet Friday night in a custom, monochromatic suit by Ralph Lauren. The pearl-white, menswear-inspired ensemble included long-length trousers that covered her shoes, which were paired with a sheer top worn under a vest and an open blazer, all topped off with a matching necktie. Her hair was smoothly pulled back in a bun.
Meanwhile, a Saturday brunch organized by Variety saw Gomez looking demure in a baby pink, tweed Oscar de la Renta minidress with long sleeves, a modest neckline, and a short skirt featuring cherry blossom-embroidered pockets. The dress, from the designer’s pre-fall 2025 collection, was complemented by light pink heels and soft, wavy hair parted in the middle and worn down.
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The brunch was held to recognize the publication’s 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards. Emilia Pérez director Audiard was honored with the Creative Impact in Directing Award.
“Your films are not just entertainment, they’re experiences,” Gomez said in tribute to her director. “Emilia Pérez is a powerful and poignant exploration of love, loss and the human condition. It is a true honor ro celebrate your incredible talent.”
Gomez, who’s engaged to marry producer Benny Blanco, wore her marquise-cut diamond engagement ring both days. The couple recently shared sweet photos from their time together over the holidays and celebrating the new year.
See Gomez’s complete red carpet looks, styled by Erin Walsh, from the Palm Springs Film Festival on Friday and Variety‘s brunch on Saturday:
Selena Gomez attends the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards at Palm Springs Convention Center on Jan. 3, 2025 in Palm Springs, California.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Palm Springs International Film Society
Selena Gomez attends Variety Presents The Creative Impact Awards and 10 Directors to Watch Brunch at Parker Palm Springs on Jan.4 , 2025 in Palm Springs, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Ariana Grande and Nicole Kidman together on the red carpet had cameras flashing Friday night (Jan. 3) at the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Film Awards Gala.
“Oh my god,” Kidman cried out when seeing Grande headed her way at the fest. The two stars embraced, held hands and seemingly dished out compliments, though camera mics didn’t pick up their conversation, at least in video footage of the moment captured by The Associated Press or The Hollywood Reporter.
Arms around each other, they posed for photographers, as seen in the clip from THR above. During their interaction Grande also gave the actress a small bow, which Kidman — who’s quite a bit taller than the pop star — leaned down to reciprocate.
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Though they haven’t worked together yet, Grande and Kidman were originally both cast in the 2020 Netflix musical The Prom. Grande had to drop out of filming due to tour scheduling conflicts, and Ariana DeBose filled the role.
With Oscar nominations voting set to begin on Wednesday, many of Hollywood’s biggest names attended the Palm Springs fest to present or accept honors at the gala. (As THR points out, there’s often a number of Academy members in the crowd — and there’s still time to sway the race for the Academy Awards.)
Grande was in Palm Springs to accept the Rising Star Award, presented by Jennifer Coolidge, for her work in the hit 2024 feature film adaptation of the musical Wicked, for which she’s predicted to be a frontrunner to receive a supporting actor nom at the Oscars.
“I’ve been performing since I was a child, so I never thought at the age of 31 I would be hearing the words ‘Rising Star’ again. So I wanted to start by thanking my good friends Botox and Juvéderm. I thought I’d be hearing ‘Slightly Withering Star,’ or ‘Drooping Star’ by now, so thank you,” the charming Grande joked, breaking the ice during her Rising Star acceptance speech at the Palm Springs Film Fest, where she said, “Being able to play Glinda the Good” was “the honor of my life,” and that before music, her start as a performer was in stand-up — her grandparents’ living room being her first venue, and $5 her first paycheck.
Grande employed humor and sincerity in her speech, while Kidman was overcome with emotion in hers. The Babygirl star was honored with the International Star Award, presented by Jamie Lee Curtis. Curtis held Kidman’s hand through a genuine speech in which the actress broke down in tears over the recent death of her mother.
“My whole career has been for my mom and my dad, and they’re not here anymore,” Kidman said. “I want to keep working and giving to the world. I’m sorry I’m crying. I didn’t want to do that, but I feel my mama right now. This is for you, Mama.”
See more pictures of Grande and Kidman’s sweet run-in on the Palm Springs Film Fest red carpet:
Nicole Kidman and Ariana Grande attend the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards at Palm Springs Convention Center on Jan. 3, 2025 in Palm Springs, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Nicole Kidman and Ariana Grande attend the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards at Palm Springs Convention Center on Jan. 3, 2025 in Palm Springs, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Nicole Kidman and Ariana Grande attend the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards at Palm Springs Convention Center on Jan. 3, 2025 in Palm Springs, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Britney Spears is giving fans another glimpse into her special Christmas with her son, Jayden James Federline. On Friday (Jan. 3), the 43-year-old pop star shared a short video on Instagram featuring her 18-year-old son — whom she reunited with on Dec. 25 — opening a gift by a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. “Nice, nice, […]