Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra will be one of the presenters at the upcoming 74th Golden Globe Awards ceremony. Priyanka, who has most recently been seen in the American show Quantico, will join the line-up of hosts which also includes Jimmy Fallon, Anna Kendrick and Steve Carell. Broadcast live on January 8, the Golden Globe Awards recognises excellence in domestic and foreign film and television. In a glittering ceremony spanning up to three hours, other actors set to take part in the industry celebration include Matt Damon, Viola Davis, Laura Dern, Goldie Hawn and Nicole Kidman. — IANS
Chris Martin performs at homeless shelter
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin visited a homeless shelter in London during the festive season to give a surprise performance. The 39-year-old sang a rendition of Last Christmas by the late George Michael. "A huge thank you to Coldplay's Chris Martin for dropping by our Crisis at Christmas centres and entertaining our guests. Here he performs a wonderful tribute to George Michael with our very own King of Karaoke — Crisis Christmas guest Kevin," the shelter posted on social media. In the one-minute video clip, Martin, who will perform with Coldplay in Abu Dhabi tonight (December 31), is seen playing the guitar and singing along with Kevin, who takes the lead vocals. — IANS
Elton John pays tribute to George Michael
Elton John became teary eyed while paying tribute to his friend George Michael during a concert in Las Vegas. With a picture of Michael lighting up the backdrop of the stage, he performed Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me. Michael, 53, died on Christmas Day. John called his death one of the "saddest moments" of his career. He said he knew Michael from the start of Wham! and the two had collaborated on music. John also tweeted a photo of the two, writing: "I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend — the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist." He said Michael donated to causes without fanfare. — AP
Joint funeral for Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds
A joint memorial service and side-by-side burial are being planned for mother-and-daughter Hollywood stars Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher, who died a day apart in Los Angeles. Todd Fisher, son of Reynolds and younger brother to Carrie, says a glimpse he caught of hummingbirds at a cemetery site at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills convinced him it was the ideal spot for their final resting place. “That’s the way it was meant to be,” Fisher says, recalling that his mother, the Oscar-nominated singer and actress, had a special fondness for hummingbirds, which were regular visitors to the grounds of her Beverly Hills home. — Reuters
Sherlock’s continuation depends on scheduling
The growing success of Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in Hollywood may jeopardise future seasons of the hit television drama. "We would love to do more, but we are not lying, we absolutely don't know," says Mark Gatiss, co-creator of the show which first aired in 2010. "It's up to all kinds of factors, scheduling. Willingness to do it is all here, but we are just not sure". Following his role as Doctor Strange earlier this year, Cumberbatch is slated to appear in at least two more films in the Marvel superhero series. Freeman is also believed to have acting commitments stateside in 2017. — IANS
Shah Rukh Khan takes nostalgic look back at career
Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan is an avid collector of memorabilia from his films. The 51-year-old became nostalgic recently while looking through his archives. "Cleaning 25 years of costumes collected from my films," he tweeted on social media. "From the 'cool' chain to Fan jacket. Nostalgic ... I have been so many people and still been none." SKR made his Bollywood debut in 1992 and has since delivered several blockbuster films, earning him a nickname as the 'King of Romance'. Some of his best-known movies include Dilwale and Veer-Zaara. He will next be seen in Raees, which is slated for released early in 2017. — IANS
Serena Williams engaged to Reddit co-founder
World No. 2 tennis player Serena Williams has become engaged to Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of the social media company Reddit. “Down on 1 knee. He said four words. And/r/isaidyes,” the 35-year-old American posted on the social media site this week. “I came home. A little late. Someone had a bag packed for me. And a carriage awaited. Destination: Rome ... back to where our stars first collided.” The New York-born Ohanian, 33, confirmed the news on his Facebook page, writing: “She said yes”. Williams is the best player of her generation. She has won 22 grand slam singles titles, the same as German Steffi Graf and trailing only Australian Margaret Court (24). - Reuters
Queen’s New Year List announced
Olympic athlete Mo Farah, tennis star Andy Murray, actor Mark Rylance, comedian Ken Dodd and Kinks musician Ray Davies have been knighted in Queen Elizabeth's New Year's Honors List. Spice Girl and designer Victoria Beckham was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) while other fashion notables included Anna Wintour editor-in-chief of American Vogue and accessories designer, Anya Hindmarch. The biannual honours list is released on the Queen's official birthday in June and at the end of each year. It celebrates those who have made significant contributions to British life as well as providing public recognition for exceptional achievements or service. — Reuters
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