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☆ Kennedy Ryan on rereleasing ‘Reel’ and turning romance books into ‘Trojan horses’
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Ayanna Miller | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +10 min

‘Reel’ is a love letter to the Harlem Renaissance — and Black creativesRyan remembers the exact moment she was inspired to write most of her books. “These Black women with these big afros, just unapologetically gorgeous, because that’s something that defies what culture tells us about ourselves. “I wanted women who are living with chronic illness, specifically lupus, to feel beautiful, to feel loved, to feel like they weren’t too much,” she says. She describes her books as “Trojan horses” to “smuggle in discourse” and start difficult conversations readers may not usually have. Just a few months after the rerelease of “Reel,” Ryan will publish the third and final book in her “Skyland” series, “Can’t Get Enough,” out May 2025.

Persons: Kennedy Ryan, ”, ” Ryan, TODAY.com, “, Ryan, Neevah Saint, Canon Holt, Dessi, Audie, Black creatives Ryan, Dorothy Dandridge, Halle Berry, Dandridge, Carmen Jones, Berry, Black, Kennedy, Black creatives, Billie Holiday, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, they’ve, ” Kennedy, Barnes & Noble, ” Kennedy Ryan, that’s, Neevah, there’s, ” What’s, Monk, Verity, I’ve, ’, I’m, she’s Organizations: Hollywood, Hachette, Harlem Renaissance, Harlem, Academy, Barnes &, “ Locations: Harlem, American, “

☆ Bella Hadid Responds to Backlash Over Adidas Ad Campaign
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Gina Cherelus | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The supermodel Bella Hadid said on Monday that she was “shocked” by the “lack of sensitivity” that went into an Adidas ad campaign that she starred in, inspired by the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. The sportswear brand’s ad was met with swift backlash from people online and pro-Israel groups when it came out this month. Ms. Hadid, who modeled the sneaker in the ad, is of Palestinian descent and became a focal point of the scrutiny. Adidas apologized in a statement on July 19, saying that it had made an “unintentional mistake,” and pulled the ad. “In advance of the campaign’s release, I had no knowledge of the historical connection to the atrocious events in 1972.”

Persons: Bella Hadid, ”, Ms, Hadid, “ Organizations: Adidas, Games Locations: Israel

☆ Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department' just broke a record as her biggest album on the Billboard 200. Here's how her others rank.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-15 | by ( Callie Ahlgrim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

"Fearless (Taylor's Version)""Fearless (Taylor's Version)" was released in 2021. "For example, only I know which songs I wrote that almost made the 'Fearless' album," she continued. Many were skeptical that the "Taylor's Version" project would be embraced by fans, let alone achieve commercial success. Those skeptics were forced to eat their words when "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" began to outpace the original on streaming platforms. According to Billboard, "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" earned more equivalent album sales in its first week of release than "Fearless" earned over the entire next year.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Swift, Scooter Braun, rerelease, Braun Organizations: Billboard

☆ Google teases the return of Google Glass in Project Astra demo
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

While promoting Project Astra, Google CEO Sundar Pichai teased the possible return of Google Glass. The first Google Glass was originally launched in 2013 and was a remarkable commercial failure. "Google Glass has RE-entered the chat," one user quipped below the YouTube video promoting Project Astra and featuring the prototype glasses. AdvertisementThe original Google Glass debuted in 2013 but was a remarkable commercial failure. Production on the original Google Glass was ultimately discontinued in 2015, though two enterprise editions were attempted in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

Persons: Sundar Pichai, Pichai, —, Sundar Pichar, Pichar, toted, Quinn Meyers Organizations: Astra, Google, CNBC, Service, Project Astra, Business, YouTube, Apple, Gemini

☆ Chain restaurants like Chili's are coming for fast-food giants in the latest bout of the value wars
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Erin Mcdowell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

As fast-food prices increase, customers are finding more value in chain restaurants. Chains like Chili's are rolling out deals and portion sizes that could best fast-food chains. Chili's new Big Smasher burger is the latest offensive move in the value wars. The Big Smasher burger, Chili's newest menu item, was served in the company's test kitchen before its official launch on April 29. And if the sheer size and taste of the Chili's burger are anything to go by, it has a shot at beating fast-food chains in the value wars.

Persons: —, margarita, It's, Applebee's, John Peyton, Cate Gillon, Ian Borden, Scott Rodrick, Chris Kempczinski, Borden, McDonald's, Erin McDowell, We've, we've, Brian Paquette, Paquette, Big, Chili's, Richard Levine, Corbis, Felix Organizations: Service, Dallas, Mac, Business, Dine, Restaurant, UBS Global Consumer, Retail Conference, CNN, CBS News, Getty, Bloomberg Locations: New York, New York City, California, , New York

☆ Christopher Nolan earned nearly $100 million from 'Oppenheimer' box office and Oscar success: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Nicolas Vega | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Christopher Nolan didn't just get Oscar gold for "Oppenheimer," he also made a whole lot of green. "Oppenheimer" — which took home seven Academy Awards this weekend, including Best Picture — earned more than $950 million at the global box office, buoyed in part by its 70-millimeter IMAX release. Nolan's earnings were boosted by box office escalators as well as bonuses for winning both Best Director and Best Picture, according to the report. Reports of Nolan's payday arrived on the heels of a Forbes report that Margot Robbie took home $78 million in gross earnings thanks largely to the massive success of "Barbie", which raked in nearly $1.5 billion at the box office. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.

Persons: Christopher Nolan didn't, Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr, Margot Robbie Organizations: Variety, Forbes, CNBC

☆ Google Chatbot’s A.I. Images Put People of Color in Nazi-Era Uniforms
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Nico Grant | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Now Google has temporarily suspended the A.I. chatbot’s ability to generate images of any people and has vowed to fix what it called “inaccuracies in some historical” depictions. “We’re already working to address recent issues with Gemini’s image generation feature,” Google said in a statement posted to X on Thursday. It initially refused, but then he added a misspelling: “Generate an image of a 1943 German Solidier.” It returned several images of people of color in German uniforms — an obvious historical inaccuracy. The A.I.-generated images were posted to X by the user, who exchanged messages with The New York Times but declined to give his full name.

Persons: “ We’re, Gemini Organizations: Google, New York Times Locations: German, ”

☆ Taylor Swift has now reached billionaire status thanks to her showstopping Eras Tour — see how the pop star makes and spends her fortune
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Hillary Hoffower | Taylor Nicole Rogers | Eve Crosbie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Such success makes Swift one of the world's highest-paid celebrities and one of the richest female singers. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Bloomberg puts Swift's current net worth at $1.1 billion, thanks in part to her massive 146-date worldwide Eras Tour and its subsequent tour movie. It comes after Forbes estimated Swift had a net worth upwards of $740 million in July.

Persons: —, Taylor Swift, Swift Organizations: Service, Sony, Bloomberg, Business, Forbes

☆ Easter eggs you didn't notice in Taylor Swift's 2024 Grammy Awards look
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Erin Mcdowell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Taylor Swift was nominated for six awards at the 2024 Grammy Awards. AdvertisementTaylor Swift attended the 2024 Grammy Awards wearing a white corset-style gown by Schiaparelli and black accessories. Here are all the hidden details in Taylor Swift's 2024 Grammys look. Swift's watch necklace was set to midnight in honor of her Grammy-nominated albumTaylor Swift attends the 2024 Grammy Awards. The outfit could be a nod to the black-and-white cover of her 2017 album, "Reputation," which she has not yet rereleased.

Persons: Taylor Swift, —, Taylor Swift's, ROBYN BECK, Taylor, Swift, Tree Paine, It's, Jeff Kravitz, Scooter Braun, she's Organizations: Service, Getty, E, Machine, Machine Records Locations: AFP

☆ Mariah Carey is the de facto ruler of Christmas, but a new rival is coming for her holiday throne
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" finally hit number 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles charts. Singer Brenda Lee told Billboard a "conglomerate of a lot of people" helped make the song a hit. "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," the 65-year-old Brenda Lee holiday staple, finally hit number 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles charts, Billboard reported on Monday. Lee told The Tennessean in 2015 that she had no idea why Marks was so adamant about her singing the song. Carey's Christmas hit, of course.

Persons: Singer Brenda Lee, —, Mariah Carey, Carey, Brenda Lee, Lee, Tanya Tucker, Trisha Yearwood, Johnny Marks, Holly Jolly, Marks Organizations: Billboard, Service, Roll Hall of Famer, Tennessean Locations: American

☆ Meet the typical Swiftie: A white suburban millennial woman who may have spent $1,300 to go to the Eras Tour
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The typical Swiftie is spending $1,300 to go to the Eras Tour but might make under $50,000. And if there's one thing that Taylor Swift fans were ready to do this year, it was flashing their dollars at the singer. Additionally, while Swift fans skew female, 48% of those Swift fans are male. What's more, even as many Swift fans are spending thousands on the Eras Tour, most are not high-earners. And Briggs noted that TikTok has been a big driver of the culture of the Eras Tour, from friendship bracelets to showing off outfits.

Persons: Taylor Swift, —, Archer, Ellyn Briggs, they're, Jaime Toplin, Swift, Briggs, Toplin, TikTok Organizations: Democratic, Service, Swift, Morning, Washington Post, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

☆ This iconic jingle is making a comeback, and you won’t be able to get it out of your head
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The jingle, last used in the mid-2000s, became an earworm for anyone watching TV during the ’90s when it seemingly blanketed the airwaves nonstop. Chili’s is hoping that nostalgia will draw renewed interest in the restaurant chain that’s in the midst of a turnaround. The new TV ad, featuring Boyz II Men singing a modernized version of the jingle, will also be promoted on social media this month. “It feels natural for us to rerelease the ‘Baby Back Ribs’ jingle and pay homage to Chili’s legendary menu item in a nostalgic way,” the group said in a release. The latest version is the “biggest rerelease of Chili’s iconic earworm yet and doesn’t stray too far from the original version,” the chain said.

Persons: Boyz, Guy Bommarito, Chili’s, Bommarito, ”, Kevin Hochman, Brinker, Hochman, they’re “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, GSD, Brinker International, KFC, Brinker Locations: New York

☆ There's one thing Taylor Swift isn't talking about
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Madeline Berg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Taylor Swift is officially a billionaire, thanks in part to her lucrative Eras tour. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. There's one thing she's not showing off — or at least not directly: How much money all this is making her. Swift has been through many eras, but her reputation has always been one of relatability. Through her tour, Swift has earned hundreds of millions of dollars on a show for which tickets at face value cost an average $254 in the US — more than double the average concert ticket price of $120, according to Pollstar .

Persons: Taylor Swift, Swift hasn't, —, Taylor Swift's, she's, Travis Kelce, Swift, Jay, Kylie Jenner, — Swift hasn't, Pollstar, hasn't, Adam Aron Organizations: Service, Bloomberg, Forbes, Big

☆ How ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ went from a cult classic to beloved Disney property
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Audience support led to multiple rereleases, elevating the film from a cult classic to a must-watch movie during both Halloween and Christmas. But after the “Beetlejuice” filmmaker departed the studio and proved his success in helming his first “Batman” film, Disney returned to the project. Moviestore/Shutterstock“They never felt (“Nightmare”) was a Disney film,” Selick told IGN. Disneyland's Haunted Mansion attraction is dressed up from Halloween to Christmas with characters from "The Nightmare Before Christmas." “Nightmare” characters now make regular appearances at the Disney parks during Halloween and Christmas, greeting young visitors and appearing on seasonal merchandise.

Persons: CNN —, Jack Skellington, Aladdin, ”, Roger Rabbit ”, It’s, Ariel, Mickey Mouse, Sally, Henry Selick, Tim Burton, Mickey, ” Selick, A.frame, Disney, Burton, Selick, Boogie, Sandy, Disney execs, Mr, “, Jack, Roger Ebert, Patrick Fallon, Coco ”, Alice, Wonderland, “ Paranorman ”, he’s Organizations: CNN, Disney, ” Disney, Touchstone Pictures, Academy of Motion Picture Arts, Sciences, Halloween, IGN, Hollywood, Disneyland, Bloomberg, Getty, Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Locations: California, yearn

☆ The Hot New Thing in Social Media Is Here. Again.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Madison Malone Kircher | More About Madison Malone Kircher | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The history of social media platforms is littered with apps that had their moment before fading. And in 2015 there was Beme, which was marketed as an online space for sharing everyday life as it really is. Much like Dispo, Lapse encourages people to take pictures the way they did in the analog days, when disposable cameras were all the rage. When the photos are ready, several hours later, their takers can decide if they want to post them for their Lapse friends or archive them for private viewing. All photos posted on Lapse must be taken in the app and cannot be altered in any way.

Persons: Gen Organizations: Apple Locations: United States

More was riding on “Killers of the Flower Moon,” a historical crime drama about a string of murders against the Osage nation in the early 1920s. “Killer of the Flower Moon” also marks the best wide-release debut for a film from a streaming company. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research, said of the “Killers of the Flower Moon” launch. As dissimilar as “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” and “Killers of the Flower Moon” are, they’re alike in their extended run times. “Killers of the Flower Moon" also reeled in more young moviegoers than one might have expected.

Persons: Barbie ”, “ Oppenheimer, ” Martin Scorsese, Taylor Swift, “ Taylor Swift, ”, Swifties, David Grann’s, Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, Robert De Niro, mightily, Apple, Ridley Scott’s, Napoleon, Joaquin Phoenix, Matthew Vaughn’s “, ” David A, Gross, David Gordon Green, Tim Burton's, Comscore, “, “ Leo Organizations: Apple Studios, AMC Theaters, Paramount Pictures, Apple, Netflix, MGM, Sony, Universal, Paramount, Entertainment Research Locations: North America, Osage, Venice

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “The Exorcist: Believer” spun heads and drove off all foes at the box office. But while it nearly earned back its reported budget of $30 million in just a few days, the take for “The Exorcist: Believer” was underwhelming after the two companies paid $400 million in 2021 for the rights to a new trilogy. Another horror sequel, “Saw X,” was third for Lionsgate Films, with $8.2 million, and has brought in $32.6 million after two weekends. “The Exorcist: Believer,” $27.2 million. “Saw X,” $8.2 million.

Persons: —, ”, “, William Friedkin, David Gordon Green, “ Hamilton, Leslie Odom Jr, Lidya Jewett, Jake Coyle, “ Barbie, Comscore Organizations: ANGELES, Universal Pictures, Blumhouse Productions, Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate Films, Rotten, The Associated Press Locations: North America, Venice

☆ Talking Heads Reunite for Restored ‘Stop Making Sense’
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Jason Bailey | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The hottest ticket at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival was not for the new auteur film from Hayao Miyazaki or Ryusuke Hamaguchi, the latest vehicle for Kate Winslet or Sean Penn, or grand prizewinners at Cannes and Venice. No, the most feverishly in-demand screening was for a 39-year-old movie that everyone in its sold-out audience could have watched at home, at the push of a button. “Stop Making Sense,” directed by Jonathan Demme, is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of the form, a joyful documentation (and celebration) of Talking Heads’ 1983 tour supporting their album “Speaking in Tongues.” The Toronto festival screening marked the debut of A24’s new restoration of the film ahead of its theatrical and IMAX rerelease later this month. “This is the greatest concert film ever!” he enthused with the musicians sitting next to him. That reunion was an event in itself, following what the frontman David Byrne recently described, with characteristic understatement, as an “ugly” breakup in 1991.

Persons: Hayao Miyazaki, Kate Winslet, Sean Penn, ”, Jonathan Demme, Spike Lee, “, I’m, David Byrne, haven’t, Chris Frantz, Byrne, Tina Weymouth Organizations: Roll Hall of Fame Locations: Cannes, Venice, Toronto

☆ Emma Stone is at the center of rumors about a song on Taylor Swift's 'Speak Now (Taylor's Version)'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —As Swifties and others rejoice at the release of Taylor Swift’s “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version),” a reissue of the star’s third studio album from 2010, one previously unreleased track has some scratching their heads. “When Emma Falls in Love,” one of the “from the vault” songs in the album rerelease, is gaining traction online as being about Oscar-winning actor Emma Stone, a known friend of Swift’s from the time “Speak Now” was initially written, around 2008-2010. Emma Stone (left) and Taylor Swift seen at the premiere of "Easy A" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 13, 2010 in Hollywood, California. David Livingston/Getty ImagesOther slightly more vague clues come with a lyric referencing how Emma in the song “calls up her mom” to talk about her love life. Stone notably has taken her mother Krista to various awards shows and public events, per Entertainment Weekly.

Persons: Swifties, Taylor Swift’s, “, Emma Falls, Oscar, Emma Stone, Swift’s, ”, Sunshine, Natasha Bedingfield’s “, Swift, Stone, Taylor Swift, David Livingston, Emma, Krista, , John ” Mayer Organizations: CNN, Theatre, Getty, Entertainment Locations: Love, Hollywood , California, New York, L.A, Los Angeles, New York City

☆ Google search is bad and getting worse. Here's how search is evolving in the era of AI.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Mason Pelt | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

He says Google search is worse than ever, and the company isn't financially incentivized to fix it. Google search is worse than it was three years ago. People use Google search in two waysPeople use Google to either find general information where any credible source is acceptable. Searching, "who is Neil Gaiman," or "list of the endless in the Neil Gaiman series" will likely give searchers the answers they seek. That sentence's chaotic grammatical mess is a window into the Google search results pages.

☆ A strong China open for 'Avatar' lays the ground for a film stock rally, Morgan Stanley says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Christina Cheddar Berk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Chinese audiences appear eager to see Disney's "Avatar: The Way of Water," according to initial ticket sales ahead of the film's Dec. 16 opening. In 2009, China accounted for only $910 million in ticket sales, but 10 years later its box office receipts swelled to $8 billion. Stage set for box office recovery Morgan Stanley's Xu expects China's box office to rebound 50% in 2023, to Rmb51 billion, with the assumption that China's reopening gains momentum in the spring. In China, there is a "rich slate of blockbuster films" ready to come to theaters, Xu said. With this in mind, Xu raised her price targets for IMAX China, Ali Pictures, Wanda Film , Enlight and China Film.

☆ Disney's 'Avatar: The Way of Water' gets coveted China release
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, "Avatar: The Way of Water" tells the story of the Sully familyDisney's "Avatar: The Way of Water" has landed a coveted release in China, a promising sign for a film that needs big box office sales to offset its massive budget. Director James Cameron has not placed a price tag on "The Way of Water," but estimates suggest it is in excess of $250 million. Since cinemas reopened in the country, it has been one of the fastest markets to recover and generate box office success. In 2009, China's overall box office reached $910 million. These screenings are more expensive than traditional laser or digital showings and can bolster overall ticket sales.

☆ 'Avatar' returns to theaters as Disney tries to hype audiences for its long-delayed sequel
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Bringing the highest-grossing film of all time back to theaters has two purposes for Disney: drum up excitement for "The Way of Water" and fill a vacant spot on the theatrical calendar. The rerelease of the original film is a sort of litmus test for whether audiences still want to visit its eco-conscious science fiction world. But it never captured the cultural relevance that Star Wars or the Marvel Cinematic Universe – both also owned by Disney – have enjoyed. "Avatar" captivated audiences more than a decade ago, in part because of the technology that Cameron helped develop to film and animate the movie. Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, "Avatar: The Way of Water" tells the story of the Sully family.

☆ 'Avatar' director James Cameron said he pushed back on changes the studio wanted by reminding it that his 'Titanic' paid for a 'new half-billion dollar complex'
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

"Avatar" director James Cameron told NYT how he pushed back against proposed studio changes. He reminded the studio, 20th Century Fox at the time, that he also made "Titanic." "Titanic" was the highest-grossing movie of all time — until "Avatar" topped it. Cameron told The New York Times that he reminded 20th Century Fox of how much money his "Titanic" earned when pushing back on studio notes (the Fox film studio has since been acquired by Disney and is now 20th Century Studios). It was the biggest movie ever — until "Avatar" topped it 12 years later.

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