Music Industry Moves: The 100 Percenters and Spotify to Offer $2,500 Grants for Songwriters and Producers; UMPG Signs Cat Stevens

Marta Balaga Emma Thompson is Team Finland all the way and she wants you to know it. In an emotional letter shared with local newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, the actor detailed her experience working on Brian Kirk’s upcoming action thriller “The Fisherwoman.” Set in Minnesota, the film will see two-time Oscar winner as a widow who, while trapped in a blizzard, interrupts the kidnapping of a teenager. “They had no snow [in Minnesota] owing to the changing climate, [so] the decision was taken to shoot all the exteriors in Finland.

announced her split from husband, Ryan Scott Anderson, on her private Facebook account Thursday.Rod spoke to People in December 2023 just before Gypsy was released from prison.In 2016, she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for her role in her mother Dee Dee Blanchard’s murder and was sentenced to 10 years in jail. Gypsy and Anderson, 37, married in July 2022 after first linking up in 2020 when she was behind bars. Their relationship blossomed when they began writing letters to each other.

With Easter around the corner, many of us will be thinking about where to hide the eggs in the garden for the little ones to find and what to cook for a big family meal. And it's no different for the Royal Family who have a bundle of traditions and plans when it comes to celebrating the Christian holiday.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and other unions representing film and TV writers and journalists sent a letter to Congress Thursday urging protections for their industries in any legislation regarding Artificial Intelligence. Addressed to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the letter was co-signed by the NewsGuild-CWA, Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), Writers Guild of America West (WGAW), and National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET-CWA).

Michaela Zee Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan thinks Aaron Taylor-Johnson could easily portray the next 007. During an appearance on RTE Radio 1’s “The Ray D’Arcy Show,” Brosnan shared his thoughts on reports that Taylor-Johnson will be taking over the iconic role. “I think the man has the chops and the talent and the charisma to play Bond, very much so,” Brosnan said of Taylor-Johnson.

Before reaching A-list status in Hollywood, some celebrities were once roommates in the early years of their careers. Many celebrity roommates, such as Dianna Agron and Lea Michele, met and lived together because they starred in the same show. In this case, Agron and Michele were both actors of "Glee," and decided to room together while filming.

Thania Garcia Teddy Swims, the singer-songwriter behind “Lose Control,” has signed a new global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music. The RIAA platinum-certified single “Lose Control” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the latest tracking week after spending 32 weeks on the chart.

Young Fathers have announced they will curate and headline Stirling City Park’s new all-day festival this summer.The Edinburgh trio is set to participate in a new Scottish festival at Stirling City Park, which has a capacity of 15,000 concertgoers. It will be the biggest headline show Young Fathers have played in Scotland to date.Stirling City Park Festival will take place on June 29, with further guests still to be announced.

The estranged husband of Scots EuroMillions winner Gillian Bayford has allegedly told pals he might still try for a slice of her £148m fortune despite signing a prenup.

Zack Sharf Digital News Director “Happy Gilmore 2″ is apparently being developed by Adam Sandler, and a script even exists. Shooter McGavin actor Christopher McDonald revealed the news during a radio interview on “Audacy’s 92.3 The Fan.” McDonald said he had a recent run-in with Sandler, who unexpectedly pulled out the first draft for a sequel to their 1996 sports comedy classic. “I saw Adam [Sandler] about two weeks ago, and he says to me, ‘McDonald, you’re gonna love this,'” McDonald said.

Happy Valley has won a trio of Broadcasting Press Guild Awards (BPG) a day after being nominated for six BAFTAs.

Epic Records was hit by a round of layoffs on Wednesday that sources say has affected approximately 15 people. Details were incomplete at the time of this article’s publication but sources tell Variety that the A&R, promotion, marketing and publicity departments were affected, among others. While a rep for Sony Music declined comment, the company’s fiscal year ends on March 31, so a connection between the two events seems likely.

Alex Ritman Six years after “Avengers: Infinity War,” another film is vying to become the most ambitious crossover event in history, this time in the lower-budget cinematic realm. The filmmakers behind “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” — the micro-budget slasher that sparked headlines for turning A.

K.J. Yossman “The Crown” may have ended last year, but Netflix has another royal drama in store. The streamer has released the first trailer for “Scoop,” its feature-length dramatization of Prince Andrew‘s toe-curling interview with “Newsnight” anchor Emily Maitlis.

Bruno Fernandes has heaped praise on Marco Reus following Borussia Dortmund's win over PSV Eindhoven. The 34-year-old midfielder fired his side into the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday night with a brilliant effort in stoppage time.

Louis Walsh has been sticking the boot in to many a famous acquaintance during his time in the Celebrity Big Brother house, but when he branded Jedward "vile" it sparked a furious reaction. Jedward just happened to be watching the ITV reality series from close pal Gemma Collins ' house and the trio hit back with their own anecdotes about Louis. But as viewers might have guessed, there's a long history to the animosity between the Irish stars after their X Factor collaboration turned sour.

Tom Sandoval was waiting to hear from Rachel Leviss for a full month after Scandoval hit the news and she absconded to receive mental health treatment at The Meadows in Arizona.

EXCLUSIVE: Prime Video UK and Ireland is returning to the British true crime space for its latest original.

Lise Pedersen Berlin-based Rise and Shine World Sales has picked up the rights for “E.1027 – Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea,” which is vying for the top Dox:Award at Copenhagen’s CPH:DOX, one of Europe’s leading documentary festivals. Variety is debuting the trailer and poster, below.

With wedding season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start shopping around for pieces to wear to any spring and summer nuptials you've been invited to this year. One of the best places to look is undoubtedly River Island, where you can get runway-influenced numbers for a fraction of the price that usually accompanies high-end dresses.