Bardot, one of the defining cultural figures of postwar France and a global sex symbol in the 1950s and 1960s, died following a prolonged period of medical decline.

She was born Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot in Paris in 1934 to a wealthy, conservative Catholic family. Her father, Louis Bardot, was a strict engineer who believed in corporal punishment and rigid discipline, and as a child he flogged her and her sister after they accidentally broke a vase. She was sent to study ballet under Russian choreographer Boris Knyazev, but it was a cover appearance for Elle magazine at age 15 that altered the course of her life and propelled her toward acting and modeling, careers her parents strongly opposed.

Her first film role came in 1952 in Crazy for Love, but her defining cinematic breakthrough arrived in 1956 with And God Created Woman, directed by Roger Vadim, who later became her first husband. Her relationship with Vadim was so troubling to her parents that it led to a suicide attempt, when she put her head in an oven. Her parents ultimately saved her life and agreed to accept the relationship on the condition that the couple wait until she turned 18 and refrain from sexual relations beforehand, a promise Bardot later admitted she did not keep before their marriage, which took place when she was 18.

The film transformed Bardot into an international sex icon, the ultimate erotic femme fatale. Sensuously blonde, with full, pouty lips, a distinctive gap between her teeth, heavy black eyeliner and a hairstyle that became her trademark, she embodied an uninhibited femininity and frequently appeared topless in her films, defying the conventions of her time.

She became a worldwide sensation and cemented her status as an international symbol of sexual liberation, helping drive the French New Wave. Her name was often mentioned in the same breath as Marilyn Monroe, and she emerged as France's biggest star, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s.

Over the next two decades, until her retirement at age 39 in 1973, Bardot appeared in 47 films, including Jean-Luc Godard's classic Le Mépris, as well as The Woman, La Vérité, Viva Maria!, Doctor at Sea, Helen of Troy and Love Is My Profession. She also recorded more than 60 songs and received numerous international honors, including France's Legion of Honor in 1985.

In later life, Bardot withdrew almost entirely from the public eye and devoted herself to radical animal rights activism, a cause that defined her post-cinematic identity as strongly as her film career once had.

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A year later, Nat King Cole's performance became a huge hit. Jay Livingston (Jacob Harold Levinson) and Ray Evans wrote "Silver Bells" in Bing Crosby's classic performance, describing peace in the city during the holiday.

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The contract spans four years, concluding in 2033, and includes the main ceremony along with red carpet programming, backstage footage, and Governors Ball coverage. Additional content includes the Governors' awards, nomination reveals, the nominees' Luncheon, student Academy Awards, interviews with Academy members and filmmakers, educational programming, and podcast material.

In a joint declaration, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy president Lynette Howell Taylor stated, "We are thrilled to enter into a multifaceted global partnership with YouTube to be the future home of the Oscars and our year-round Academy programming." The executives added, "The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible – which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community."

Recent years have witnessed the Academy diversifying its voting membership, with international voters now comprising 21% of the electorate.

Neal Mohan, YouTube's chief executive, indicated the collaboration would "inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars' storied legacy." He described the Academy Awards as "our essential cultural institutions."

The streaming platform has reached record viewership levels in the US throughout this year, sustaining its status as the top-performing streamer amid declining network television audiences, The Guardian reported. YouTube broadcast its first live NFL game in September, drawing over 17 million viewers. By April, the service had accumulated 9.4 million subscribers.

A network spokesperson commented, "ABC has been the proud home to the Oscars for more than half a century." The statement continued, "We look forward to the next three telecasts, including the show's centennial celebration in 2028, and wish the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences continued success."

In 2023, Netflix obtained the rights to the Screen Actors Guild Awards, rebranding them as the Actor Awards and transferring them from broadcast to streaming. Variety reported that Netflix and NBCUniversal had also competed for the Oscars' rights.

This trend has drawn sharp criticism from Hollywood. Screenwriter Daniel Kunka wrote on X in response to the announcement of the contract with YouTube: "YouTube broadcasting the Oscars is like shaking hands with the guy who's trying to kill you." An insider told Variety: "They can do whatever they want. You can have a six-hour Oscars hosted by MrBeast," referring to the widely successful American YouTuber.

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"History is set in motion during the 20 days of my life prior to the US Presidential Inauguration," the first lady told Fox News. "For the first time, global audiences are invited into theaters to witness this pivotal chapter unfold – a private, unfiltered look as I navigate family, business, and philanthropy on my remarkable journey to becoming First Lady of the United States of America."

Fox News exclusively secured the trailer, opening with the first lady stepping into the US Capitol rotunda ahead of her husband's second swearing-in ceremony. Dressed in her now-iconic inauguration attire, she states: "Here we go again." The trailer alternates between the first lady and president at the inauguration; the pair standing outside Mar-a-Lago; behind-the-scenes inauguration moments featuring Barron Trump and First Lady Trump's father; various images of the first lady; Air Force One; the presidential seal and more, Fox News reported.

The first lady explained that the story "has never been told, and because the subject matter is historically consequential, it was imperative for me to produce a film of the highest cinematic standard, suitable exclusively in theaters worldwide. The 20 days of my life, preceding the US Presidential inauguration, constitutes a rare and defining moment – one that warrants meticulous care, integrity, and uncompromising craftsmanship," she stated. "I am proud to share this very specific moment of my life – 20 days of intense transition and planning – with moviegoers and fans across the globe."

Fox News confirmed the first lady remained involved "in every aspect" of the film – from her "creative vision," to serving as producer and ensuring proper post-production marketing execution. Sources told Fox News she maintained a "hands-on" approach throughout. The film was produced in a "highly cinematic" style. Sources told Fox News the first lady wanted the film to appear as an "elevated film" rather than a documentary. First Lady Trump conceived the film idea in November 2024, after President Trump won the election.

Marc Beckman, First Lady Trump's agent and exclusive senior advisor, led negotiations with Amazon, specifically CEO Andy Jassy, beginning Nov. 18, 2024, according to Fox News. Fox News confirmed Disney sought exclusive rights; Netflix and Paramount also competed. Amazon and MGM submitted the highest bid, purchasing the license for $40 million – the largest documentary deal in history.

"I'm honored to be working with Amazon – they've been great partners from the minute we started to negotiate the deal, through production, and now as we gear up for the film's release," Beckham told Fox News. "Speaking of the deal, there has been so much speculation in the press on the bidding and how we ended up with Amazon, that we're at a point where it's worth clarifying a few things," Beckman said.

First, Beckman told Fox News some bidders were "interested only in a film, and others only in a series." "Amazon ended up bidding on both, and checked all the boxes we were looking for, as they could also deliver a theatrical film release," Beckman explained. "I've seen reporting that Amazon paid nearly three times the nearest other bid, and that's just false," Beckman said, according to Fox News. "It was an incredibly competitive bidding process with multiple rounds of bids."

The film launches one year after her debut book, "Melania," Fox News reported. The memoir provides an intimate portrait of Melania Trump and includes personal stories and family photos she had not previously shared publicly. "Melania" has remained atop the New York Times' best-selling list since its public release.

After last year's memoir release, the first lady told Fox News that writing her story was "an amazing journey filled with emotional highs and lows. Each story shaped me into who I am today," she said. "Although daunting at times, the process has been incredibly rewarding, reminding me of my strength, and the beauty of sharing my truth."

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LA Fire Department personnel found a 78-year-old male and a 68-year-old female deceased at the property, though officials declined to identify the victims, according to Sky News. Detectives from the LAPD Robbery Homicide Division took charge of the case, the force announced. Captain Mike Bland characterized the investigation as an "apparent homicide," Sky News noted. According to People magazine, sources said the couple was killed by their son, Nick.

The director built his reputation helming iconic 1980s and 1990s films, including beloved classics such as "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally," "A Few Good Men," and "Stand By Me." He also maintained an acting presence, with roles in "Sleepless in Seattle" and "The Wolf of Wall Street," with his latest major work on the Emmy-winning show "The Bear."

The filmmaker encountered his wife, Michele Singer, in 1989 while directing "When Harry Met Sally." The pair raised three children together. Singer pursued photography professionally, notably shooting US President Donald Trump's portrait for his volume "Trump: The Art Of The Deal."

A family spokesman stated, "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time," according to Sky News. LA Mayor Karen Bass termed the director's death a crushing blow to the city.

"Rob Reiner's contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice," she commented. "An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in the service of others," the mayor added.

Former President Barack Obama spearheaded tributes, posting on X that "Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. Rob's achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen."

Entertainment industry figures also expressed their grief following the deaths, with actor John Cusack characterizing the deceased filmmaker as "a great man", while Elijah Wood stated he was "horrified" by the couple's deaths. James Woods, who received an Oscar nomination for performing in the director's 1996 drama Ghosts of Mississippi, stated he was "devastated by this terrible event." Actor and director Ben Stiller described it as "a huge loss," and added, "Rob Reiner was one of my favorite directors." He continued, "He made some of the most formative movies for my generation. He came out from behind a huge comedic shadow of the great Carl Reiner, and being a TV actor to being a great director who made an incredible run of movies. Spinal Tap is one of the best comedies ever made, and the list goes on. He was a kind, caring person who was really, really funny."

Frozen actor Josh Gad termed the filmmaker "one of the greatest directors of our time," adding, "He was simply a beautiful person. Rob Reiner and his wife Michell,e were two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine. He cared so much for those who had no voices. This loss is devastating. I cannot express how much this hurts. Love you, Rob and Michelle. Thank you for all you gave us," he concluded.

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According to the outlet, Swift struggled to rank her top five songs but unhesitatingly named "All Too Well (Taylor's Version)" as her primary choice. This 10-minute track from "Red (Taylor's Version)" famously chronicles her split with Jake Gyllenhaal.

For The Win notes Swift also praised her recent album, "The Life of a Showgirl", and cited mirrorball as another beloved track.

Her fondness for "All Too Well (Taylor's Version)" previously led her to direct a short film for the song. The production, starring Dylan O'Brien and Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink, has accumulated over 109 million views.

While the full list remains pending, For The Win pivots to news that Swift hosted a New York City screening of her upcoming docuseries, "The End of an Era".

The artist celebrated the "The End of an Era" preview alongside her family, band, and dancers, the publication states.

The gathering occurred at the Walt Disney Company's 7 Hudson Square Theatre, with For The Win confirming the attendance of backing vocalists and relatives. This six-episode limited series investigates the creation of "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour." Fans will witness the conceptual development and the logistical operations of the historic tour.

For The Win highlights appearances by Ed Sheeran, Florence Welch, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter, plus the touring crew. "The End of an Era" premieres December 12 on Disney+, releasing two chapters each week.

Launching simultaneously is the concert film "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show," captured in Vancouver. The report confirms it includes the entire "THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT" segment.

Finally, For The Win adds that ABC will air the first installment of "The End of an Era" and a 60-minute presentation on "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour"

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Known in Hebrew as "Or Rishon," meaning "First Light", the series "Red Alert" debuted internationally on Oct. 7, 2025, marking the second anniversary of the atrocities that triggered Israel's nearly two-year military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Produced primarily in Hebrew, the four-episode series chronicles ordinary individuals' real-life stories, ranging from the terrorist massacre at the Nova music festival to the Yahalomi family confronting Hamas terrorists in their home, leading to the kidnapping of father Ohad and son Eitan.

The Keshet Media Group, an Israeli production company, collaborated with prominent Hollywood producer Lawrence Bender, best known for "Pulp Fiction" and "Inglourious Basterds", to create the series, which was shot in Israel and featured an Israeli ensemble, the report concluded. The production was broadcast on  Paramount+, drawing backlash amid ongoing anti-Israel sentiment.

The nomination represents a significant achievement for the limited series, which is receiving international recognition despite pro-Palestinian criticism.

Other television series nominated in the same category include "Acapulco" on Apple TV, "Last Samurai Standing" on Netflix, "Mussolini: Son of the Century" on MUBI, "Squid Game" on Netflix, and "When No One Sees Us" on HBO Max.

The 31st annual Critics Choice Awards ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 6 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, featuring the merged film and television honors format. The winners will be announced during this event.

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"I really feel that in this case, RTÉ definitely made the right decision," Logan told RTÉ. He elaborated on his stance regarding the optics of participation. "I don't think that Israel should be allowed to hide under the umbrella of the Eurovision... make it look as though, everything's okay, business as usual, because it's not."

"I think most people in Ireland would agree with that," the singer surmised, according to the report. Logan expressed satisfaction that the withdrawal was formalized before any specific artist or song had been selected, RTÉ noted.

Addressing the nature of the event, he argued that politics are unavoidable in certain contexts, citing the exclusion of Russia due to the war in Ukraine. "When you have someone like Donald Trump describe Gaza as real estate, it's appalling," he remarked to RTÉ.

"There has to be a point where a voice is heard. It's not okay," Logan stated. He drew a direct comparison to past EBU actions. "They did it with Russia in the Eurovision... they say that the Eurovision is nonpolitical but the reality of it is when it is necessary it becomes political."

"The Eurovision has been really good to me, but I do feel very strongly about it," he admitted. According to RTÉ, Logan criticized the European Broadcasting Union for allowing Israel to take part this season.

"I think that the EBU should have made a decision regarding Israel, a decision removing them from the show and taking that decision away from individual countries," he argued. Despite the lack of a central ban, he praised the national response. "But being as it is. I really think that what Ireland, what RTÉ, have done is exactly the right thing to do."

"I support them 100%," he confirmed to RTÉ. The artist reiterated his belief that Israel must be "removed" from the roster this year. He emphasized that his grievance lies with the administration rather than the populace.

"And it's not about the Israeli people, it's about the people in charge of Israel, the governments that have been making these decisions," Logan explained. While noting that the contest itself is a relatively small matter, he warned that inclusion "adds a kind of respectability to the way they've behaved" , according to the report.

Logan concluded by suggesting that international networks should join the movement to boycott this year's Eurovision, RTÉ reported.

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A total of 738 delegates voted in favor of changing the contest's voting rules and supporting a waiver on the voting issue. Another 264 delegates opposed the new rules and demanded a formal, separate vote on Israel's participation. One hundred twenty delegates abstained.

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The 2025 edition introduces several fresh tools, including Listening Age – which uses music preferences to estimate the user's age (a friendly suggestion: enjoying Springsteen may result in a 10-year addition) – and Clubs, which sorts listeners into categories based on their genre tastes, according to USA TODAY.

Spotify Wrapped 2025 top artists, songs and albums revealed

During a media presentation on December 2, the team responsible for creating Spotify Wrapped expressed optimism that subscribers would be pleased with the 2025 version, especially after receiving feedback in 2024 regarding the application of AI in developing the experience. Dustee Jenkins, Spotify's chief public affairs officer, responded positively to the critique, affirming that the comments "reminded us just how much this experience means to listeners." She stated that the current year's aesthetic is centered on traditional music sharing, embracing "the world of mixtape culture." Spotify executives, while demonstrating the new additions, emphasized that only one element is powered by AI, with the remainder of the report being meticulously developed for months by teams situated globally, USA TODAY detailed.

Finding your Wrapped stats

Are you trying to find your personalized metrics? Ensure your application is updated initially. Next, launch Spotify, and a Wrapped banner should appear that you can select to view your data.

Wrapped tracking duration

The data for Spotify Wrapped is calculated from your listening history spanning January 1 to around the middle of November.

New additions: Listening age, clubs, and more in 2025

If a significant part of your Wrapped was overlooked, relax! This year, subscribers can reduce the speed of their report and conveniently go back to previous sections. Listening age, which is calculated based on the release dates of the songs you listened to, is one of the new elements introduced this year, USA TODAY noted. The second novelty is Clubs, which places you into one of six distinct groups: Soft Hearts, Serotonin, Cosmic Stereo, Full Charge, Grit Collective or Cloud State Society. Once your musical tastes determine your category, you will also be informed of your role within that club and the specific artist that was the reason for your placement.

In the portion of the report dedicated to artists, listeners will face a brief challenge to identify the performer or band they listened to most. Afterward, preceding the ultimate announcement, an "artist sprint" feature, which uses actual month-by-month listening information, illustrates a user's leading contenders racing to the finish line before the victor is determined, according to the report.

Additionally, as with the previous year, users will receive a brief video message from a top artist and will be able to see their placement on the fan leaderboard. The much-requested Top Albums feature has been added, and a listener archive feature will highlight key occurrences in a user's experience, such as when they most often discovered or shared music. The archive is the sole function relying on AI, Spotify indicated.

The shared experience: Spotify wrapped party

Possibly the most discussed new component in this year's Wrapped is a feature that transforms the event from "a solo experience," into "a multiplayer celebration," stated Payman Kassaie, the director of brand and creative for Spotify, as per USA TODAY. Party, an interactive live feature, is similar to the start of the pandemic, when a like-named function from Netflix allowed people to stream shows together and engage in real-time discussion. Spotify's iteration lets users invite up to nine friends to contrast their listening statistics. The procedure will reveal who in the collective streamed the most music, who had the rarest song play, or who earned the title of "dinner table explainer" (the individual who listened to the greatest quantity of political podcasts).

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