Arts & Entertainment

It’s a new year, so you know what that means– the start of the 2025 awards season. From Broadway theatre to film and television to music, loved members of the entertainment industry have many different awards they’ll soon fight to win.

This awards season was kicked off by the Golden Globes on January 5th, hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser. The carpet was lined with stars from both television and film. The film that won the most awards was Emlia Pérez, including winning Best Picture for a musical or comedy. The Brutalist was another high achiever of the night, with lead Adrien Brody winning Best Actor in a Drama Motion Picture and the movie itself winning Best Picture for a Drama. 

On the other hand, television’s biggest winners were Hacks and Shōgun. Shōgun reigned supreme, taking home four awards total, including Best Television Series (drama) and three acting awards. Hacks took home two awards– Best Television Series (musical or comedy) and Best Female Actor in a Comedy, given to lead Jean Smart. 

While the Golden Globes gave audiences an idea of what is to come, there are still many upcoming shows that viewers are excited to tune in to, including the iconic Oscars. Other approaching events include the GRAMMYS, Tonys, and SAG Awards. 

The coveted Oscars take place on March 2nd, 2025. Already, Emilia Pérez has broken an amazing record– most nominations for a non-English language film. It received this achievement after dominating the nominations with thirteen, followed by The Brutalist and Wicked with ten each. Additionally, Karla Sofía Gascón (star of Emilia Pérez) became the first openly transgender actor ever to be nominated for an Academy Award. 

Now, what records are at stake? Cynthia Ervio has a chance at winning a prestigious EGOT. EGOT stands for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, and refers to people who have won every single award. If Erivo wins best actress for her portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked, she will become the youngest EGOT winner ever at 38 years old.

There’s another close race at the Oscars, between Timothée Chalamet and Adrien Brody. Both were nominated for best actor– Chalamet as legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, and Brody as a Holocaust survivor relocating to America in The Brutalist. If 29-year-old Chalamet takes home the Oscar, he will become the youngest actor to ever do so, breaking the previous record by a few short weeks. This would take away the status from the current record holder, who, ironically, is his competitor Brody. In the past seven years, Chalamet has starred in seven films nominated for best picture at the Oscars. Will this be the year he wins his first Oscar, or will Brody win his second and keep his record?

But no awards season happens without a little drama. Currently, the films Emilia Pérez and The Brutalist are facing controversy after revealing they both used AI to modify their actors’ voices. The Brutalist used AI to enhance the Hungarian accent of actors Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones. The film’s editor, Dávid Jancsó, described in an interview that as a native Hungarian speaker, he knows “it is one of the most difficult languages to learn to pronounce.” He further explained that he was “very careful about keeping their performances,” and that they used AI “so that not even locals will spot any difference” in their accents. 

Emilia Pérez used AI on lead Karla Sofía Gascón’s singing voice. Gascón was unable to reach certain singing registers, so her voice was mixed with another singer to give the impression she was still singing.

Why is this an issue? Some claim that it is unfair to actors and actresses nominated against Brody and Gascón. For example, as Bob Dylan, Timothée Chalamet performed live throughout the film, including singing in a voice uncannily similar to Dylan’s and playing guitar. In Wicked, Cynthia Ervio and her co-stars sang live. Chalamet and Erivo are nominated against Brody and Gascón, and it is argued that AI gave those who used it an unfair advantage. 

Regardless of how this award season ends, it’ll be a wild and exciting ride seeing how everything unfolds.

This year, The Golden Globes had their first solo female host and they couldn’t have chosen a better comedian for that title. Niki Glaser, a 40-year-old comedian from Cincinnati, Ohio killed it as the host of the Golden Globes. Rarely is the host of an award show the most talked about at the end of the night but Glaser certainly was the talk of the town after the annual event. Although she has recently gained media attention, Glaser is not new to the industry, she has been around for a while but is just now getting her flowers.

Glaser first gained attention after appearing on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in 2009. She then got her first comedy special “Perfect” in 2016 which was not very successful. That same year, Glaser appeared in her first Comedy Central Roast. The Roast of Rob Lowe earned Glaser lots of praise; she came up with jokes that were as ruthless as they were hilarious. This earned Glaser respect in the comedy industry which led to her appearing in the Roasts of Bruce Willis and Alec Baldwin. However, she didn’t limit herself to Roasts. Glaser hosted a reality show as well,  appearing on “Dancing with The Stars”. While Glaser has always been in the industry,  the most recent Comedy Central Roast that Glaser participated in created a huge shift in her career. The Roast of Tom Brady was highly anticipated. Glaser is known for her blunt comedy, she even says the goal of her comedy is to “mention the unmentionable.” She carried this mindset into The Roast of Tom Brady with jokes poking fun at Brady’s divorce, the NFL covering up head injuries, retiring too late, and so much more. After the Roast, Glaser was praised for her roasting skills, named the unofficial winner of the Roast. This introduced Glaser to new audiences, all of which were impressed by her Roasts. Her newfound popularity led to the opportunity of hosting the Golden Globes.

Stakes were high for Glaser as the first solo female host, but she delivered. We are used to seeing men in boring suits delivering the same generic jokes, so  Glaser was a nice surprise for this year’s Golden Globes. Her racy jokes and excited spirit brought a certain light to the stage that is not often there. Her monologue included jokes about Timothee Chalamet, Ben Affleck, and Harrison Ford. Glaser’s performance included costume changes and a refreshing lack of misogynistic jokes, unlike previous years. The support for Glaser’s hosting abilities poured out on social media with fans saying “Niki Glaser is made for this.”Producers noticed the outpour of love Glaser received and there was talk that she would return for future years. Executive producer Glenn Weiss stated, “I can’t talk officially for anything. I will say, as someone who produces and directs award shows, [that] she really found her niche here, and I think it really worked out beautifully on this show. And I would love to see it continue.” It’s safe to say that fans would love to see her on the Golden Globes stage again. Glaser told Howard Stern on “The Howard Stern Show” that she would have hosted for free because it was an amazing opportunity. However, she also mentioned that a male past host was paid more than her. Glaser did not appear to be upset about this although it is interesting that there was a difference in paycheck.

Glaser has worked hard for many years and has been writing jokes since she was in college. Now, at 40 years old, she is on top of the world receiving so much love for her hard work. We can hope to see Glaser at next year’s Golden Globes as well as stand-up specials and Roast appearances in between. 

The 2025 Academy Awards are already stirring controversy, particularly in the wake of the recent Golden Globes. The 2024 film Challengers took home the award for Best Feature-Length Film Score, a win that left many surprised. Fans of Wicked were especially vocal on social media, expressing outrage over Challengers’ victory. However, their frustration quickly revealed a common misunderstanding—many were confusing a film’s score (its original instrumental composition) with its soundtrack (a collection of pre-existing or vocal songs). This debate has reignited discussions about the role of music in film and how audiences perceive its impact.

Score is an incredibly important aspect of a film’s storytelling and creation of its atmosphere. For example, in the aforementioned film Challengers, the score, composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, is an electrifying and pulse-pounding blend of electronic and orchestral elements. It leans heavily into pulsating synths, distorted basslines, and hypnotic rhythms, creating a sense of tension and movement that mirrors the film’s high-stakes drama and emotional intensity. The music has a raw, almost physical energy, reinforcing the competitive nature of the film and the pure drama between each character. Without score, a film would be full of awkward silences. The addition of a score can also convey the mood or theme of a scene. A character could be shot with a blank expression on their face, but with the addition of sadder sounding music, that character can be perceived by the audience as melancholic. 

Alternatively, Wicked faced high praise for its soundtrack specifically; An adaptation of the 2003 musical, based on Victor Flemming’s The Wizard of Oz. Wicked tells the story of the main antagonist of the Wizard of Oz, Elphaba, as her story twists her into the villain we see portrayed in the film. The importance of the soundtrack is much greater in a musical than other films, being the main medium of communication of the story and plot. Without the soundtrack Wicked would be an incomplete story. This isn’t to say that the soundtrack isn’t important in other films as well, particularly non-musicals. The 2017 film Baby Driver, directed by Edgar Wright, is an illustrious example of this concept, the high action packed music and the importance of music as a whole within its’ central plot allows for a creative and colorful mix of different tracks within its sound. The film follows a heist driver, named Baby, as he transports many criminals. He is very interested in music and refuses to drive without it. There are a few high stress scenes where he simply won’t drive because he can’t get his iPod working. Without the inclusion of this film’s soundtrack, the characterization would be lost and not communicated effectively. 

Score and soundtrack in combination are a powerful tool in storytelling, the 2011 film Rio, is often regarded as an animated masterpiece, the soundtrack being undoubtedly one of the core reasons. Both aspects within the film’s sound utilize the sound to define the setting of Rio De Janeiro, making its score and soundtrack undeniably a pillar in setting the scene of the film! 

In short, score and soundtrack couldn’t be more glaringly different, however they are best used in tandem when filmmaking as important tools in a filmmaker’s tool box to setting a story’s plot, setting, and characterization. The upcoming award season, particularly including the Grammy’s and Oscar’s, will be a hard contest between last year’s amazing scores and soundtracks!

Recently, Movie star Zendaya was seen at the Golden Globe award ceremony, repping an orange customized ball gown, bold diamond statement necklace, and some sponsored rings, Although her jewelry tied in perfectly with the outfit, one did not appear like the others. 

Fans of Zendaya could easily spot the ring on her left index finger. Some speculated that it was another sponsored jewelry item, some speculated it was an heirloom, and many others noted its special placement. 

Zendaya was wearing an engagement ring to the Golden Globes! 

Family members and friends have reported some details of the engagement, the Hoofprint has put together some of our favorite facts about everyone’s favorite celebrity couple’s engagement. 

The diamond and the destination

People Magazine reports that the ring appears to be a 5.02-carat East-West Cushion Diamond button-back ring from Jessica McCormack, listed in the engagement section on the jewelry brand’s website. This means that the estimated price of the ring could be anywhere from $29,000 to $320,000, However, many have speculated that it could be more. 

Holland hinted at his “secret” holiday plans with his fiancée during the December 18 episode of the Dish podcast. He mentioned, “I’ll be with my girlfriend’s family, which will be fun. Where we’ll be is a secret.” he said of his plans to spend Christmas in the U.S. “[Secret] to you guys,” he joked. “I’ll know where we’re going.”

During this vacation, it is speculated that Holland proposed in Zendaya’s childhood home, which included both friends and family, along with a romantic touch. They do not plan to rush the wedding, and friends have commented that they are currently ‘soaking up the moment’. 

2- Private but passionate

The two met on the set of the infamous Spider-Man movies, consistently staying as friends until they were spotted kissing in a car in July 2021, confirming their off-screen romance. In September of that year, they went Instagram official, with Holland sharing a selfie of the pair in honor of Zendaya’s 25th birthday. In the caption, Hollandcalled the Euphoria star “my MJ”.  Since then, the couple has maintained a very private relationship, barely making the relationship open to the public, but still making it clear that they are in it for the long haul, Tom Holland recently stated, “We don’t think that we owe it to anyone, it’s our thing, and it has nothing to do with our careers.”. The following month, he revealed that his relationship with Zendaya is the thing he holds “most sacred” in life. “I don’t talk about it. I try my best to keep it as private as possible,” he said while appearing on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast. “We both feel very strongly that that is the healthiest way to move on as a couple.” Zendaya also shares the same feelings as her new fiance, stating in Elle Magazine, “Parts of my life, I accept, are going to be public. I can’t not be a person and live my life and love the person I love,” she said.

“But also, I do have control over what I choose to share,” Zendaya continued. “It’s about protecting the peace and letting things be your own but also not being afraid to exist. You can’t hide. That’s not fun either. I am navigating it more than ever now.”. 

Fans are ecstatic about the recent engagement, many taking to social media to express their congratulations and feelings about the couple. Although this is one of the biggest celebrity engagements of the year, it is important to respect the couple’s privacy. 

Growing up in the era of prime Nickelodeon and Disney Channel, I can attest to the significance of their laugh track shows as a presence in the childhood of Generation Z. Whether you were an avid Victorious fan or you dabbled in some iCarly or Jessie, most kids who are now high school and college age grew up watching the programs Nickelodeon and Disney Channel produced. The programs were made for kids, featuring kids. While child acting has always been known as a scandalous and intense industry, the Discovery documentary series Quiet on Set exposes the real danger involved in the industry of child acting and the truth behind some of our favorite shows. 

The series was released in March of 2024, revealing that behind all the neon green slime, Nickelodeon was not a healthy environment for their child actors. These former child stars allege a variety of abuses and toxic behavior on the sets of classic shows, such as Drake & Josh, Victorious, All That,  and The Amanda Show. From claims of bullying and discrimination to truly horrifying accounts of sexual assault, the documentary reveals all the darkness hidden behind the laugh tracks. Many of these claims are directed at infamous producer Dan Scheider who denies all the allegations of inappropriate behavior after being fired in 2018 when the allegations surfaced. 

Perhaps the most shocking of all is Drake Bell’s disclosure that he was the victim in the criminal case, for which Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck pleaded no contest to lewd acts with a child. “My name is Drake Bell and I came here today to tell my story,” Bell says as he opens up for the first time in the documentary’s third episode, before detailing his relationship with Peck, whom he met at the beginning of Season 2 of The Amanda Show. Nickelodeon’s child actors commonly stayed in Peck’s home, trusting him as a role model and their parents trusting him as a supervisor. Unfortunately, according to Bell, “everything changed with Brian one morning.” After experiencing repeated acts of sexual abuse Drake didn’t immediately go to the police in fear that Peck, a powerful man in the industry, would destroy his career and income. Later telling his mom the truth, she immediately called the police and a year-long investigation began. Brian Peck was eventually arrested in 2003 and no one, not even at Nickelodeon knew who the victim was. He was sentenced to 16 months in prison and is officially registered as a sex offender. After his release, Peck landed a job on Disney Channel’s The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.

In Quiet on Set, actors Bryan Hearne and Giovonnie Samuels alleged experiencing racism, both subtle and glaring, from producer Dan Schneider. Two former female The Amanda Show writers accused Schneider of sexism and sexual harassment. Rewatching all of the shows that were a part of our childhood after the details regarding the truth behind the industry were released, many people took to social media accusing Schneider of sexualizing the children on his shows, including now-famous pop star, Ariana Grande. Schneider expressed remorse in an interview posted to his YouTube page. “I owe some people a pretty strong apology,” he said.  

Viewers are heartbroken by this series to learn that their enjoyment of watching childhood shows came at the expense of the well-being of the actors who played them and that it took years for people to start listening to their claims. Talented youth have been paraded in front of the spotlight for years but at what cost? With increasing numbers of childhood stars admitting the troublesome experiences they went through and how they drove them into substance abuse or mental health issues, it’s important to push Hollywood adults to do better. The current safeguards for child safety in the studio environment are insufficient. After this documentary, many are left wondering, will this documentary change the situation?

It is not every day that a Disney actor goes on to attend the University of Southern California, graduate with a Master’s degree from MIT, have four million monthly listeners on Spotify, be the CEO of a space startup, and be a mom. Bridgit Mendler breaks this mold. 

Mendler signed with Disney in 2009, starring in hit shows such as Wizards of Waverly Place, Lemonade Mouth, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, and her most notable role as Teddy Duncan in Good Luck, Charlie. Good Luck, Charlie is one of Disney’s most popular shows, with 7.48 million viewers. Outside of her Disney fame, she has played multiple roles in sitcoms and a Netflix Original musical. However, Mendler hasn’t been seen on screen since 2019, as she has been busy excelling in her alternate artistic field: Music. 

Mendler’s music career kicked off in the early 2010s with her contributions to the Lemonade Mouth soundtrack. With the movie’s success, Mendler signed with Hollywood Records in 2011. A year later, she released her one-hit-wonder album, Hello My Name Is…. Even if you aren’t a die-hard Mendler fan, chances are you have jammed to the album’s two singles, Ready or Not and Hurricane. Her album peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Top 200 and has recently seen a spike in streams over a decade later. Mendler embarked on two tours and released nine other singles over the years. 

Mendler isn’t confined to just Arts and Entertainment. In the late 2010s, she began to focus on her education, enrolling at the University of Southern California with a major in anthropology. When asked why she chose to attend college, Mendler shared that her parents had always encouraged her to “do everything.” Even after leaving USC, Mendler’s ambition kept her pursuing her education. In 2018, she announced she was attending MIT and majoring in humanity and technology, concentrating on improving social media. Mendler took to X to share her struggle with social media throughout her career, “I felt like there was a more loving and human way to connect with fans.” 

Why stop at attending just two major universities? In 2022, Mendler was enrolled at both Harvard Law School and MIT. This past March, she confirmed that she was just two months away from earning her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law, has her Masters from MIT, but is still working on her PhD. 

With her Bachelor, Masters, and soon-to-be PhD, Mendler created a new space startup, known as Northwood Space. Mendler and her husband, Griffin Cleverly, are the co-founders of this startup that aims to create “a data highway between earth and space” by making more ground stations for satellites. 

On top of acting, music, school, and space engineering, Mendler has embarked on a new endeavor: motherhood. Mendler and Cleverly adopted a four-year-old boy at the end of 2022, after fostering for many years. “Being a parent is the biggest gift and most defining experience there is,” Mendler wrote on X.

 Despite all that she has accomplished, Mendler has always prioritized others. Over the years she has worked hard with multiple charities and received numerous awards for her activism. She fights for environmentalism with charities like Disney’s Friends for Change and is vocally anti-bullying with organizations such as Common Sense Media. 

Mendler can do it all. Since the 2000s, she has been breaking boundaries set by the multiple industries she takes part in. In an interview with USA Today, Mendler said, “I want to know something outside of what I do.” From acting to music to school, her aspiration to learn and grow has made her the versatile and intelligent person she is today. 

Amy Winehouse left an undeniable mark in music history with her extraordinary talent. Known for her unimaginable lyrics, Winehouse utilized a collage of different music styles, such as Jazz, Blues, Soul, and even traces of Ska. Despite her tragically short life, her influence resonates strongly with fans and fellow musicians such as Florence Welch, Adele, and Lady Gaga.

Born in London, England, in 1983, her adoration for music and performing arts was formed early as she attended Sylvia Young Theatre-Arts School. Her attendance at the said institution was short-lived as she was allegedly expelled for expressing her bold character via a nose piercing: a testament to her refusal to dim her sparkle that is seen carried into her musical craft. Winehouse’s debut album Frank was an almost instant success and was swiftly followed by her first broadcasted performance on MTV of her song “Stronger Than Me.” Her debut album won an Ivor Novello award for its impressive contemporary lyrical writing. Frank would not be the only Winehouse album to have almost instantaneous success; Back To Black is often regarded as her most iconic album and the one that made Winehouse a Grammy-award winner, with singles such as “Me & Mr. Jones” and “Rehab.” The latter became particularly iconic, reflecting both her struggles with addiction and jabbing at her stubbornness to quit, a significant point of contention in her life and career. 

Throughout Amy Winehouse’s life, her rise in stardom and popularity brought her down a spiraling path of drug abuse and many other lapses in judgment. The media was no help to her plight as rather than getting her the help she so clearly needed, they treated it as a controversial tabloid story and constantly villainized her. Amy also struggled with a tumultuous eating disorder; towards the end of her career, she was clearly in need of help. Although she did attend rehabilitation, she sadly lost her grasp and passed away due to alcohol poisoning in 2011, leaving a hole in the hearts of her fans and the music industry. Her untimely death served as a stark reminder of the destructive power of addiction and the importance of compassion and support for those who grapple with its grip.

Amy Winehouse’s reach has even ventured into the film realm. The 2015 documentary Amy, directed by Asif Kapadia, depicted testimonial accounts and archival footage of the musician’s life and legacy. The documentary received many accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Documentary and a Grammy for Best Film Soundtrack. It made 23.7 Million dollars at the box office. A biopic of the star’s life titled Back to Black premiered this May, starring Marisa Abela as Amy. The film faces some pushback due to utilizing Abela’s vocals rather than Winehouse’s, which is a controversial choice for musical biopics.Additionally, Winehouse’s close friend Tyler James condemned the film as “too exploitative” in a recent interview with The Independent. Since trailers were released, another concern fans have had is that her imitation of Winehouse’s heavy North London accent isn’t accurate to what she truly sounded like; many have reported that it comes off as a parody of her true voice. Winehouse’s fans also argue the film will always be considered “too soon” about the artist’s untimely death, and combined with lacking her original vocals has put huge hits on expectations for this film at the box office. Regardless, the film aims to give Winehouse the appreciation and memoriam she deserves.

As we reflect on Amy Winehouse’s life and career, let us not only remember her incredible talent and artistic contributions. May her music continue to uplift and inspire, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, there is beauty to be found in the power of expression. Amy Winehouse may have left us too soon, but her spirit lives on in the timeless melodies and poignant lyrics that continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Photo contributed by Creative Commons

Poppi is an upcoming and newly popular soda. It’s a brand of sparkling probiotic soda made with real fruit juice. It is a healthier option for normal sodas such as Coke and Pepsi. Poppi comes in flavors such as orange, strawberry, lemonade, and blueberry. Poppi is said to be good for your gut health, and the prebiotics in it nourish the beneficial bacteria in a person’s digestive system. The sodas have no artificial ingredients, as well. Poppi was started by a husband and wife duo Allison and Stephen Ellsworth in Dallas, Texas in 2016. It  had gotten most popular over quarantine. Poppi got its start on Shark Tank. The soda is made with 1 tablespoon of ACV and contains less than 25 calories and under 5g of sugar for one can. 

Poppi has become popular on social media, especially TikTok. That’s where many people first heard of it and where it got popular. What was once an undercover smaller business is now sold in many grocery stores, such as Target, Kroger, and Walmart. They are sold individually as well as in larger bulk size packs. Fan favorite flavors include Strawberry Lemon and Doc Pop. The average first time that they had Poppi soda was about 6 months, which many people would agree was around the time that it got really known. 

AmericannPeople crave sodas all the time,. They are very popular,  although they have tons of calories and multiple negative effects on people’s health. Normal sodas are high in sugar and contribute to weight gain, tooth decay, and an increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Additionally, sodas can be acidic, which contributes to tooth decay. This is why they have to be enjoyed in moderation, and people should opt for healthier alternatives. This is where Poppi comes into play. People can crave these beloved sodas but have an option that actually benefits their health instead of having the opposite effect. Even diet sodas have still been proven to have negative health impacts, which is why sodas like Poppi were created. 

Poppi is on the more expensive side, but that is the price that has to be paid for high-quality options. As with anything, it should be enjoyed in moderation. This means that more than one a day is not good for you. Similar to Poppi, there’s also a brand named Olipop, which is a large competitor. They share almost the same health facts and design aspects. However, Olipop does not have the variety in flavor that Poppi has. 

Overall these new soda options show an important change in the soda culture, and they have gotten popular very quickly. Since they are still a new creation people aren’t sure about the long-term effects and benefits . However, they are a very enticing new invention. People are happy to have a new way to enjoy soda but not put the chemicals in one’s bodies that are found in normal brand sodas. Also, the wide variety of flavors gives many options so that no one gets sick of them and there is always something new that can be tried and enjoyed. These new businesses are getting popular over social media, and people try them and love them which then spreads the word. Healthy alternatives are all the rage right now, which is why Poppi is such a great and popular option!