SZA, Billie Eilish, Boygenius, Olivia Rodrigo, Ryan Gosling and More Light Up Variety’s Hitmakers 2023 Celebration

Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo and more have received mentions on the shortlist for the 2024 Academy Awards. Yesterday (December 21), the Academy announced its shortlists in 10 categories, including Best Original Song and Best Original Score.

While the Oscar original song shortlist is typically good about spreading the wealth around, three movies dominated close to half the spaces with Barbie cleared to be nominated for three songs, The Color Purple two and Apple Original Film’s Flora and Son two. Of the 15 spots, Warner Bros owns five of ’em between Barbie and Color Purple.

You can’t escape her. You can only hope to contain her.

Margot Robbie’s Barbie exposed all of his “blond fragility” on the big screen in the summer blockbuster that brought the iconic Mattel doll to life, it’s “the man behind the tan” — as memorably Kenoughed by Ryan Gosling — who is having the last laugh in 2023.“I’m Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie)” — a new holiday rendition of his signature number in Greta Gerwig’s box-office smash — dropped from the hunky heavens on Wednesday.The Yuletide twist arrives just five days before Santa will be delivering Barbies and Kens to little girls and boys all around the (snow) globe.The “Kristmas” makeover of “I’m Just Ken” puts a sweeping, Phil Spector-esque spin on the song that was written by “Barbie” music supervisors Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt. And the string-laden setting decks the ditty in seasonal splendor as Gosling ever-so-earnestly sings lines such as “Am I not hot when I’m in my feelings?”Clearly still hopelessly devoted to his dream doll — who leaves him behind for the real world at the end of the film — Gosling ends with, “Merry Kristmas, Barbie / Wherever you are.”The “I’m Just Ken” revamp comes ringing in with a video of the song featuring Ronson and Wyatt.

Ryan Gosling has revisited his iconic song for the Barbie soundtrack, and reimagined it as a Christmas classic.Shared today (December 20), the new release sees the actor – who took on the role of Ken in Greta Gerwig’s hit film – take his song ‘I’m Just Ken’, and re-record it in time for the festive season.Recorded alongside and produced by Mark Ronson, the new Christmas edition of the track is titled ‘I’m Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie)’, and also comes as part of a new ‘Ken’ EP – consisting of three new versions of the song.For the most part, the festive version remains loyal to the debut release, but now incorporates more of an epic approach to that of the original, complete with bells and an orchestra.What’s more, it also comes alongside a new music video set inside a heavily decorated recording studio. In the footage, Gosling is seen telling Ronson how he envisions the final product before they both come together to record it.

Ryan Gosling is giving us all a Christmas present!

Plenty of stars stepped out to celebrate the latest Saturday Night Live episode!

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music The last “Saturday Night Live” of the year is always a special occasion, and 2023 was no exception: Billie Eilish performed the television debut of “What Was I Made For?,” written and recorded for Greta Gerwig’s summer blockbuster “Barbie.” Eilish was accompanied by her brother/ collaborator Finneas and jazz bassist Christian McBride, as well as a six-piece string ensemble. “What Was I Made For?” was introduced by Gerwig who appeared on stage alongside this week’s host (and “Barbie” costar) Kate McKinnon in a joyful embrace.

Olivia Rodrigo is responding to Billie Eilish‘s song about her!

Olivia Rodrigo has spoken about “outgrowing” some of her earlier songs as well as being the inspiration behind Billie Eilish‘s ‘Goldwing’.The ‘Get Him Back’ singer spoke about how some of the songs from her Grammy award-winning debut LP ‘Sour’ no longer resonate with her in a new interview with the Los Angeles Times.“Some of them I don’t really love so much anymore,” she said, speaking about her older tracks. Rodrigo didn’t name which songs, saying: “Oh, I don’t want to tell you that. People get so sad because it’ll be their favourite song.

The nominees for the 2024 Golden Globes have been announced! The list of TV shows, miniseries, and films that are competing for one of the most prestigious honors in Hollywood is flush with not only LGBTQ actors, producers, and songwriters, but plenty of programs and movies that appeal to the community.It’s going to be a very gay Golden Globes, and we can’t wait to see who wins!The following list isn’t a complete rundown of every nominee this year who identifies as part of the LGBTQ community, just some of the most prominent and beloved. Colman Domingo — RustinColman Domingo isn’t just a first-time Golden Globe nominee – he may soon become an Oscar nominee for the first time as well.

Gear up, Vanderpump Rules fans… it’s going to be a bumpy 11th season.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor Dave Robb, a longtime Hollywood labor reporter who worked for Variety in the 1980s and ’90s, died Dec. 8 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 74 and had recently been diagnosed with cancer of the brain stem.

Mark Ronson has opened up about the making of the Barbie soundtrack, along with Ryan Gosling‘s reaction to ‘I’m Just Ken’.The acclaimed producer gave a new interview to The Guardian about the Barbie soundtrack. Spawning hits such as Dua Lipa‘s ‘Dance The Night Away’ and Billie Eilish‘s ‘What Was I Made For’, Ronson also opened up about the backstory of ‘I’m Just Ken’, which landed at Number 50 of NME’s 50 best songs of 2023 and has been nominated for a Grammy.Ronson, who wrote the soundtrack with Miike Snow‘s frontman Andrew Wyatt, said that he had originated the chorus’ main lyric: “I’m just Ken, anywhere else I’d be a 10”.

Z100′s 2023 Jingle Ball brought out so many stars!

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Billie Eilish and her brother and collaborator Finneas O’Connell have received Grammys, an Oscar and just about every award and honor and tribute and kudo young recording artists can imagine in the six years since her debut EP in 2017, but even they can still be awed by a tribute from a respected influence. That happened at Variety’s Hitmakers celebration in Los Angeles on Saturday, when Elton John’s lyricist of 56 years, Bernie Taupin — who has written the lyrics for everything from “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” to “Bennie and the Jets” and “Candle in the Wind” — paid tribute to their songwriting partnership when rewarding them with the Film Song of the Year honor for “What Was I Made For?,” their song from the summer blockbuster film “Barbie.” Before an audience that included Boygenius, Joan Baez, Olivia Rodrigo, Victoria Monet and many others (SZA hadn’t arrived yet), the following exchange took place: Taupin’s tribute and Eilish’s response (Finneas just said “Thanks guys!”) follows in full.

The 2023 Variety Hitmakers Brunch was a star-studded affair, and so many of music’s biggest stars were in attendance.

Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter put a long-running rumor to bed in the simplest way possible.

Thania Garcia Billie Eilish and Finneas were honored with the Film Song of the Year at Variety‘s Hitmakers, presented by Sony audio, on Saturday for the “Barbie” power ballad “What Was I Made For?“ The duo’s award was presented by Bernie Taupin, the famed lyricist and longtime writing partner with Sir Elton John. “A lot of great people can write a lot of great songs with a lot of outside help, but not many find their one true songwriting partner that can truly cut through the noise and drive straight to the heart, with a simple idea, a melody, and lyrics that can lift the world and touch us all,” Taupin said on stage.

Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish are closing out Saturday Night Live’s 2023 season. The two young musicians will serve as the musical guests for the two final episodes of the series, with Rodrigo performing on December 9th and Eilish performing on December 16th. Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo’s friendship: How she inspired her saddest songBillie Eilish unveils huge back tattoo: See the rest of her tattoosA post shared by Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl)Rodrigo will be featured on the episode where Adam Driver will serve as host, while Eilish will be featured on the season finale, which will be hosted by Kate McKinnon.