New Weeknd album to drop Friday
After months of teases, the Weeknd has finally announced that his new album, “Dawn FM,” will be released on Friday.
He unveiled the news in a characteristically cryptic video that includes several film-score-like snippets from what may be his new single. The album is billed as “a new sonic universe from the mind of the Weeknd.” There’s also a list of co-stars — Quincy Jones; Tyler, the Creator, Lil Wayne; Oneohtrix Point Never; and actor Jim Carrey.
The video closes with a voiceover saying, “You are now listening to 103.5: Dawn FM. You’ve been in the dark for way too long, it’s time to walk into the light and accept your fate with open arms.”
The album is The Weeknd’s first full-length release since his blockbuster “After Hours,” released in March 2020, although he has since released songs, remixes, collaborations and videos; starred in and co-wrote the forthcoming HBO series “The Idol”; and headlined the 2021 Super Bowl Halftime show.
White birthday doc gets new title: A documentary intended to celebrate Betty White’s 100th birthday is still coming to theaters, even though the beloved actor died at age 99 on Dec. 31.
The producers of “Betty White: 100 Years Young — A Birthday Celebration” have confirmed that the film will be released as planned Jan. 17, which would have been White’s centennial birthday. The title, however, has been changed to “Betty White: A Celebration.”
“We will go forward with our plans to show the film ... in hopes our film will provide a way for all who loved her to celebrate her life — and experience what made her such a national treasure,” said production duo Steve Boettcher and Mike Trinklein in a statement.
The film will feature interviews with many of the star’s Hollywood friends and colleagues. It will also sample video from White’s final interview while providing “a backstage look at her career, and insights into what was most important to her.”
‘Spider-Man’ tops box office again: Hollywood closed out 2021 with more fireworks at the box office for “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” which topped all films for the third straight week and already charts among the highest grossing films ever.
The Sony Pictures’ Marvel sequel “grossed an estimated $52.7 million over the weekend to bring its total to $609.9 million. That ranks 10th all-time in North America. Worldwide, it has made $1.37 billion, a total that puts it above “Black Panther” and makes it the 12th highest grossing film globally.
Second place over the weekend went to Universal Picture’s animated sequel “Sing 2.” It took in $19.6 million in its second weekend to bring its total to $89.7 million. “The King’s Man,” the third installment in Matthew Vaughn’s “Kingsman” series, grossed $4.5 million in its second week and took third place. The Disney release, produced by 20th Century Studios, has made $47.8 million globally.
Jan. 4 birthdays: Actor Barbara Rush is 95. Actor Dyan Cannon is 85. Singer Kathy Forester is 67. Guitarist Bernard Sumner is 66. Singer Patty Loveless is 65. Singer Michael Stipe is 62. Actor Dave Foley is 59. Actor Damon Gupton is 49. Actor Jill Marie Jones is 47. Actor D’Arcy Carden is 42. Actor Charlyne Yi is 36.