Freddie Mercury Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” on repeat when it’s scanned with a smartphone.“In my friendship group, we’d Rickroll each other. I wanted to top everyone,” Meiying Rentas told SWNS.“Rickrolling” is a prank that involves trolling an unsuspecting person with a link to the music video for the 1987 tune.Rentas said she got her first tattoo when she was 18 and was “instantly hooked” — the molecule for serotonin and E = mc² are some of her early inkings.She has 97 drawings on her body, including Freddie Mercury and an olive branch and spider on the left side of her face.Rentas believes her markings are a “timeline” of her life — a flower tattoo covers a scar on her chest following emergency surgery to remove cysts.“I got a face tattoo after I met a girl at Starbucks with one and thought, ‘Wow, that is beautiful,'” Rentas recalled.

Freddie Mercury, Elvis and Ray Charles are few of the cultural superstars who were once the focus of biopic films, and they certainly will not be the last. Oscar-winning film director Martin Scorsese is once again drumming up chatter surrounding himself and Academy Award winner and film frontman Leonardo DiCaprio.The "Shutter Island" actor is rumored to play Frank Sinatra, one of the most highly regarded American singers of all time, in an upcoming biopic by Scorsese.

Bruno Tonioli has been a familiar face on UK TV screens since 2004, when he turned up as a judge on the very first series of Strictly Come Dancing. The former dancer from Italy was on the original panel alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips and the late Len Goodman.

Watching the preview clip of Back To Black, the new Amy Winehouse biopic, it is impossible to shake the image of the late singer watching it herself. Winehouse, someone unafraid to dismiss anything she saw as beneath her, would surely not accept this soft-soap depiction of her rise from jazz singer to international icon. Back To Black isn’t really for Amy Winehouse, though.

Carolyn Giardina “Queen Rock Montreal” will make its global streaming premiere May 15 on Disney+ as the first concert film available with Imax Enhanced sound by DTS. When it arrived in theaters in January, the remastered 1981 concert was Imax’s biggest exclusive engagement.

Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice appeared to have put speculation about his future behind him on Thursday afternoon, as the popular dancer stepped out in Birmingham ahead of his tour stop at Birmingham Symphony Hall.The 33 year old professional dancer, who has starred on Strictly since 2015 , kept things chic but casual as he opted for a pair of fitted black Dolce & Gabbana jogging bottoms, a white Hugo Boss t-shirt featuring Freddie Mercury, and an effortlessly cool black leather jacket. To complete his stylish look, Giovanni also opted for a pair of Louis Vuitton trainers in black and a pair of Apple AirPods to listen to his favourite tunes while out and about.

Madonna is making a correction to one part of her tour!

Madonna has removed an image of Luther Vandross from the AIDS tribute section of her ongoing ‘Celebration’ tour.The moment came during a recent show as part of her world tour, which includes a section paying tribute to those who have died of AIDS-related illnesses. For the segment, pictures of famous faces such as Herb Ritts, Freddie Mercury and artist Keith Haring are shown, as the singer performs her 1986 song ‘Live To Tell’.However, during her show in Sacramento on Saturday (February 24), a photograph of Luther Vandross was also included in the tribute, despite his cause of death not being related to AIDS.In response, the estate of the late singer – who was famed for tracks including ‘Never Too Much’ and ‘Endless Love’ – have reached out to the pop star and requested to have his image taken down from the tribute.“Luther Vandross passed away in 2005 due to complications from a stroke suffered two years earlier,” a spokesperson from Luther’s estate told Page Six.

Freddie Mercury could be on the way.Hints that a new hologram show featuring the late Queen frontman emerged after Mercury Songs Limited – the organisation which has ownership over the singer’s solo works – reportedly filed to trademark his moniker for virtual reality and 3D.News of the move was shared by The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column, which obtained the filing and reported that it covers “immersive 3D virtual, augmented, and mixed reality experiences” for “virtual environments” (via Music News).With the filing, it seems possible that the musician could return to the stage as a digital avatar, similar to that seen in the hugely successful ABBA Voyage shows in London.It also wouldn’t mark the first time that Mercury has been depicted on stage in recent years, following his death from bronchial pneumonia, a complication of AIDS, back in 1991. Two years ago, an optical illusion of the frontman was shown during Queen’s ‘Rhapsody Tour’, which the band embarked on with Adam Lambert.

“Under Pressure” under protest.The 1981 hit — a colossal collaboration between British music gods Queen and David Bowie that soared to No. 1 in the UK and has remained a class-rock mainstay — didn’t mesh as well with May as it has with fans over the years.“I never liked it, to be honest, the way it was mixed,” May, 76, told “Total Guitar” magazine.Indeed, the Queen guitarist clashed with the late Bowie during the “very difficult” late-night studio session “after we had a meal and a lot of drinks.”An earlier version of the song — which was much more to May’s liking — “sounded like The Who” and was “massively chord-driven.”“I was beaming because I liked The Who.

Naman Ramachandran The BBC has commissioned feature documentary “ABBA: Against The Odds” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Swedish group winning the Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place this year in Sweden. The documentary will be produced by multi-award winning documentary makers Rogan Productions (“Freddie Mercury: The Final Act”) and directed by James Rogan. It will tell the story of ABBA’s greatest period of musical achievement framed between the albums “Arrival” (1976) and “Super Trooper” (1980).

Queen guitarist Brian May has revealed that he has “never liked” the mix of ‘Under Pressure’, the band’s 1981 smash hit collaboration with David Bowie. Speaking in an interview with Total Guitar (via Guitar World), May revealed that the original version of ‘Under Pressure’ “sounded massively chord-driven,” but that much of its “heavy guitar was lost” following Bowie’s input on the final mix.Recalling the song’s creation, May said ‘Under Pressure’ was the result of spontaneous late nights in the studio, with the initial cut featuring a “pretty heavy backing track.” At first, May said he was “beaming” over the heavier guitar sound because it reminded him of The Who.May raised that comparison to Bowie, who said “‘it’s not going to sound like The Who by the time I’ve finished with it.’” May continued: “[Bowie] didn’t want it to be that way.”The guitarist said that the changes were made because “we all had different ideas of how [‘Under Pressure’] should be mixed,” specifically naming Bowie and Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.“Basically it was Freddie and David fighting it out in the studio with the mix,” May recalled, “and what happened in the mix was that most of that heavy guitar was lost.”May went on to reveal that he originally played the main riff of ‘Under Pressure’ on an electric guitar, but that it was replaced by the “acoustic bits which were done first as a sort of demo.” As for the final mix that was eventually released, May admitted that he “never liked it, to be honest.”“I do recognise that it works.

So, here we are in mid-January, and though we’re staring down the barrel of a tough year ahead, it’s not all wintry doom and gloom on an international box office (and combined global) level. 

Queen have shared a new clip of the performance of ‘We Are The Champions’ from their live movie Queen Rock Montreal. Check it out exclusively on NME above.After a London premiere earlier this week, a digitally-remastered cut of the recording of the rock icons’ legendary 1981 shows at the 18,000-seat Montreal Forum will be released in 450 IMAX Cinemas tomorrow (Thursday January 18).The live movie includes 12-channel surround sound, crystal-clear images, and IMAX’s customiSed theatre geometry, as the band deliver a set packed with classics including ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Somebody To Love’, ‘Under Pressure’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ and many more.“I don’t think we quite realised it at the time, but this film has preserved one of the highest peaks in Queen’s touring life, on stage in the old glory days,” said guitarist Brian May.

A self-taught balloon artist has gone viral with her astounding "balloon people" creations. Beverley McGrath makes life-sized balloon sculptures in the image of anyone you'd like.

Naman Ramachandran Fremantle has acquired the international distribution rights for Sky original documentary “Zuckerberg: King of the Metaverse” from Rogan Productions. The feature documentary unveils Mark Zuckerberg’s journey from Harvard student to founder and CEO behind one of the biggest social media platforms in the modern world – Facebook, which is now Meta.

Noddy Holder has reflected on his friendship with Freddie Mercury, revealing that the Queen frontman would share his aspirations with him.The moment took place during a rare TV appearance from the Slade singer, when he appeared as a guest on the Channel 4 morning show Sunday Brunch over the weekend (December 17).In the programme, the glam icon shared anecdotes about his extensive time in the music industry, particularly the elaborate outfits he would wear on stage during the ‘70s. It was here that he reflected on his relationship with Freddie Mercury – back before the singer found fame with Queen.In the conversation, he recalled the origins of his iconic mirror hat and dispelled the myth that he bought it from the iconic rock singer.“I made the top hat with mirrors.

UPDATE, 11:58 AM: The two-year old lawsuit between Bohemian Rhapsody writer Anthony McCarten and the producers of the Oscar-winning film is over. 

Queen’s Freddie Mercury thought ‘Somebody To Love’ was “better” than ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, according to a roadie who once worked with the band.Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio after ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was named ‘greatest song of all time’ by over 6500 listeners, former roadie and author of Queen Uncovered Peter Hince remembers the band coming up with ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and Mercury’s thoughts on the track.Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio he explained: “The band were recording [album] ‘Night At The Opera’ and we were going around all these different studios in London and doing bits in each place so I was hearing bits and pieces of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, but I didn’t hear the whole thing for quite some time. I remember hearing the opera bit and thinking it’s going to be an introduction tape for the live show – I had no idea it was a song!”He continued: “The video is arguably what helped it become so huge in Britain…and the other thing is that, sadly, Freddie isn’t around anymore and it’s one of his legacies that piece of music so is still something people find very emotional.“Also, nothing really had been done like it before and probably nothing since – with all the technology now it is easier to get certain studio effects whereas with Queen it was all about spending enormous amounts of time and being incredibly innovative.

Sir Bob Geldof is returning to his best-known project to develop a stage musical based on his 1985 Live Aid concert.

EXCLUSIVE: Rock icon Bob Geldof is collaborating on a stage musical about the global phenomenon that was Live Aid. The show, called Just For One Day, devised and directed by Luke Sheppard (& Juliet), will have its world premiere at the Old Vic Theatre in London early next year.

Oppenheimer has become the highest-grossing biopic of all time, surpassing previous record-holder Bohemian Rhapsody.The Christopher Nolan film, which was released in July, follows the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer – dubbed the “father of the atomic bomb” – and the secretive Manhattan Project which created the first nuclear weapons during World War 2.The feature has now grossed more than $912.7million (£736million) at the global box office, taking it past Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody‘s $910.8million (£734.5million) haul to make it the most successful biopic at the box office.Bohemian Rhapsody was released in 2018 and stars Rami Malek (who also appears in Oppenheimer as nuclear physicist David L.

Years & Years‘ Olly Alexander has become the latest artist to receive their own waxwork at Madame Tussauds.The singer and actor’s waxwork will debut at the London branch of the world famous attraction next month.“I’m completely overwhelmed and honestly in shock and disbelief to think I’ve been made into a figure for the iconic Madame Tussauds London!” Alexander said in a statement.“My brain simply cannot process it. Getting to be involved in the process was so cool and I feel very honoured to have been so lovingly sculpted into such a gorgeous figure – I’ve seen a sneak peek and I love it! I really can’t wait to hang out with the other figures especially Freddie Mercury, ET and Beyonce.”Tim Waters of Madame Tussauds added: “We are over the moon to be launching Olly Alexander’s first-ever Madame Tussauds figure.

Brian May and Roger Taylor have confirmed the line-up of their ‘official tribute band’ Queen Extravaganza and announced a run of tour dates for 2024.Queen Extravaganza has been touring together for over a decade and features a line-up that was hand-picked by May and Taylor to perform their music.May and Taylor have now confirmed that the line-up for next year’s tour includes Nick Radcliffe on guitar, François-Olivier Doyon on bass, George Farrar on drums and Alirio Netto and Gareth Taylor on vocals.You can see the full list of 2024 dates below and buy your tickets here.FEBRUARY26 – Wolverhampton, Civic Hall27 – Bradford, St George’s Hall28 – Newcastle, O2 City HallMARCH1 – Glasgow, SEC Armadillo2 – Derby, Arena4 – Swansea, Arena5 – Bristol, Beacon6 – London, Eventim Apollo8 – Stockton, Globe9 – Manchester, O2 Apollo10 – Oxford, New Theatre12 – Eastbourne, Congress Theatre13 – Ipswich, Regent Theatre15 – Plymouth, Pavilion16 – Bournemouth, International Centre 17 – Truro, Hall For Cornwall19 – Dublin, Olympia Theatre21 – Belfast, Waterfront HallMeanwhile, in other Queen news, an auction took place earlier this week saw over 1,400 of Freddie Mercury’s personal possessions sold off, which May admitted was “too sad” to think about.The auction saw handwritten lyrics for some of Queen’s most famous songs, jewellery worn by Mercury, and his collection of artwork go under the hammer.In a social media post, May said of the action: “Freddie’s most intimate personal effects, and writings that were part of what we shared for so many years, will go under the hammer, to be knocked down to the highest bidder and dispersed forever.“I can’t look.

Queen’s Brian May has admitted that an auction, which saw over 1,400 of Freddie Mercury’s personal possessions sold off, was “too sad” to think about.Held at Sotheby’s earlier this week (September 6), the auction saw handwritten lyrics for some of Queen’s most famous songs, jewellery worn by Mercury, and his collection of artwork go under the hammer.The item that fetched the most at the auction house was the piano that Mercury used to compose the hit song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ – a 1973 Yamaha Grand, which sold for £1.7million. This surpassed the amount that John Lennon’s piano, which he used to write ‘Imagine’, reached in a previous auction.Ahead of the auction, May shared an old photo on Instagram of Mercury playing the guitar.A post shared by Brian Harold May (@brianmayforreal)He wrote: “At the time this photo was taken I’m sure it didn’t seem very important to see Freddie’s fingers dancing on my own home-made guitar.

Freddie Mercury’s piano – which he used to compose Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ – has sold for £1.7million at auction.Held at Sotheby’s on Wednesday (September 6), the auction saw 1,500 pieces of the late singer’s possessions go under the hammer, including handwritten lyrics for some of Queen’s most famous songs, jewellery worn by Mercury, and his collection of artwork.The item that fetched the most at the auction house earlier this week was the piano that Mercury used to compose the hit song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ – a 1973 Yamaha Grand, which sold for £1.7million. This surpassed the amount that John Lennon’s piano, which he used to write ‘Imagine’, reached in a previous auction.

Freddie Mercury ’s prized piano that he used to compose "Bohemian Rhapsody" and other hits by Queen sold for more than $2 million Wednesday as some of the late singer’s massive collection of flamboyant stage costumes, fine art and original lyrics were auctioned in a sale that broke records. Items connected to the operatic "Rhapsody," the band's most enduring hit, brought a premium with hand-written lyrics to the song selling for about $1.7 million and a gold Cartier brooch saying "Queen number 1" given to each band member by their manager after the song topped the charts, selling for $208,000.

Freddie Mercury's grand piano is being sold at auction "without reserve", meaning there will be no minimum sale price. The grand piano was used by the Queen frontman to develop a number of songs including Bohemian Rhapsody and Barcelona.

A new release of Queen’s 1981 compilation album, Greatest Hits, is axing one of the project’s most popular tracks.

yank six titles — including “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street” and “On Beyond Zebra!” — from print in 2021, citing supposedly offensive content in the picture books.And, over the decades, Richard Scarry’s classic children’s books have been retroactively tinkered with time and again by sensitivity readers. Editors sought to counteract gender stereotypes… by making a policeman bear a policewoman bear, and swapping an illustration of a mom cat pushing a stroller out for a dad cat.Not even “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” is safe.

Fat bottomed girls, you make the rockin’ world go round‘ – featured on the band’s original 1981 greatest hits album alongside tracks such as ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘We Will Rock You’.But it has been left off a new version of the collection, which was released earlier this month, on Yoto – an audio platform aimed at children.“It’s the ideal introduction to the music of Queen for young music lovers and the perfect soundtrack to kitchen dance parties, road trip singalongs, bedtime air guitar sessions….and much much more,” a description of the record reads on the platform’s official website.We’re delighted to bring UMG’s unparalleled roster of artists and labels to @yotoplay's growing global audience of kids and family listeners for the first time. https://t.co/AD5fAD4Rnf— Universal Music Group (@UMG) August 11, 2023Despite that, it does issue a warning about the remaining songs, stating: “Please note that the lyrics in some of these songs contain adult themes, including occasional references to violence and drugs.

Freddie Mercury exhibition featuring personal possessions of the late Queen frontman have gone on show at an exhibit in London.Back in April, it was revealed that 1,400 items from Mercury’s London home – which had gone untouched for 30 years – would be put up for auction by Sotheby’s this September.The extensive collection of items, including handwritten lyrics, personal Polaroid photos and costumes, have now gone on show in London.“This summer, we invite you to step into Freddie’s Mercury’s personal world in an extended takeover at Sotheby’s London,” the website reads.The Queen frontman, who died in London on November 24, 1991, left his home, Garden Lodge in Kensington, and possessions to close friend Mary Austin, who is now sharing them with the public.Highlights of the ‘Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own’ exhibit include the crown and cloak ensemble Mercury wore on ‘The Magic Tour’ in 1986, his red kimono covered with fans and his Yamaha grand piano on which he composed ‘We Are The Champions’.

Rami Malek and Emma Corrin seemed to confirm their 'new relationship’ as they were spotted on a lunch date. The Bohemian Rhapsody star, 42, and The Crown star, 27, were 'seen kissing' in a restaurant and holding hands during a stroll.The pair sat down for a meal at the Buoy and Oyster restaurant in Margate, Kent, where they shared a seafood platter and two bottles of wine. Earlier this month, they were said to be strolling hand-in-hand on Hampstead Heath in North London.

More than 1,400 of Freddie Mercury ‘s personal items, including his flamboyant stage costumes, handwritten drafts of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and the baby grand piano he used to compose Queen’s greatest hits, are going on display in a free exhibition at Sotheby’s London ahead of their sale.

Bond star Rami Malek and Lucy Boynton are said to have 'split after five years together'.The actors met on the set of the film Bohemian Rhapsody, a biopic of Queen's Freddie Mercury, who was played by Rami, while Lucy played his girlfriend, Mary Austin. According to The Sun, Rami, 42, and Lucy, 29, have gone their separate ways after 'drifting apart' recently.They've not been seen together in public since February.

“Freddie was a hoarder, he didn’t throw anything away,” said Thomas Williams, a Sotheby’s director who is running an auction of Queen icon Freddie Mercury’s lifetime accumulations. “His possessions give us an extraordinary 360-degree view of the man, from his childhood until his death.”