Latest news with #DefyingGravity


Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Ariana Grande's Smashes Are ‘Defying Gravity' Yet Again
Ariana Grande's 'Popular' and 'Defying Gravity' return to U.K. vinyl and physical singles charts as ... More anticipation for the second Wicked movie builds. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 03: (L-R) Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo attend as Universal Pictures presents special New York City WICKED Screening at Metrograph on December 03, 2024 in New York City. (Photo byfor Universal Pictures) Ariana Grande has essentially stopped promoting her most recent album Eternal Sunshine, and interest in the pop project has largely dwindled. While the singer's latest full-length continues to appear on a handful of album charts in the United Kingdom, none of the tunes pushed from the project — or its deluxe edition follow-up, Brighter Days Ahead — are still present. Grande does manage something of a comeback this week, though, as two recent 'popular' cuts 'defy gravity' and return to the charts. 'Popular' and 'Defying Gravity,' both from the first Wicked film, reappear on a pair of rankings apiece in the U.K. The former is credited solely to Grande, while the latter is a collaboration with her co-star Cynthia Erivo. Between the two, 'Popular' is the bigger hit at the moment. This frame, it reenters the Official Vinyl Singles chart at No. 18 and the Official Physical Singles ranking at No. 25. 'Defying Gravity' — arguably the more famous track from Wicked — is not far behind. The duet lands at No. 23 on the vinyl-only tally and No. 32 on the list of the top-selling tracks on any physical format, including CD, cassette, and wax records. In the past, both 'Popular' and 'Defying Gravity' have reached the top five on the two tallies on which they currently appear. Grande's solo tune missed out on becoming a No. 1 by just a single spot, while 'Defying Gravity' peaked in third place. The two tracks have spent four weeks each on the Official Vinyl Singles list. 'Defying Gravity' is now up to six frames on the Official Physical Singles chart, while 'Popular' has amassed seven stays on the roster. While 'Popular' and 'Defying Gravity' are Grande's only charting tunes in the U.K. at the moment, her album Eternal Sunshine does still manage to hold on — even though she's no longer pushing singles from the set. The Grammy-nominated project drops on all three rankings it finds a home on, and it barely manages to keep on the Official Physical Albums list, dipping to No. 99. The set appears dozens of spaces higher on both the Official Albums chart and Official Albums Streaming list, slipping slightly to Nos. 57 and 56, respectively, well over a year after it debuted.


Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Office worker finds genius use for standing desk as people left in stitches
One office worker took to the social media site to show people his unique use for his electric standing desk, and it's certainly captured people's attention, racking up more than 1.6million likes There used to be a time where office desks were very standard, with 9-5 workers usually sat down for most of their day. However, the introduction of standing desks mean many workers can stretch their legs a little bit more. Standing desks also have been found to help improve their posture, reduce back and neck pain and burn a few more calories. However, one man found an even better way to use his electric standing desk that his company provided for him – and it's left people in stitches. The office worker, known as @king_bashel on TikTok, took to the social media site to show people his unique use for his desk, and it's certainly captured people's attention, racking up more than 1.6million likes. The viral video sees Beyonce fan Bashel miming the words to one of Beyonce's performances. As he does this, he sits on his electric standing desk which dramatically lifts him up while he's in the office. Overlay text at the start of the clip read: "POV: You finally found a reason to use your standing desk." People have been left in stitches over the clip, which has racked up more than 9,000 comments. One person exclaimed: "NOBODY has ever used a standing desk more appropriately than you just did." While another joked: "Standing desk sales bout to go crazy." A third joked: "My standing desk just told me to don't even try it." While another chimed in: "I can't wait to get back to work." Other people also feared for Bashel's job after the video, as one person wrote: "HR gonna have a hell of a time tryna keep a straight face while playing the video at the termination meeting." While another added: "The CEO watching this." However, his job can't have been that mad as Bashel has re-created the stunt several times now for different versions of the video. One of these sees his dressed as Elphaba from Wicked as he performs Defying Gravity, while another Beyonce-themed clip sees Bashel perform in a Cowboy get-up as he writes: "POV: You WERKING this standing desk."

Leader Live
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Cynthia Erivo crowned best actress at BET Awards
Hosted by Kevin Hart, Monday's BET Awards celebrated the work of black people in music, entertainment, film, sports and philanthropy. The London-born star, who rose to worldwide prominence last year for her role in Wicked, was also nominated for the BET Her Award — which recognises empowering songs that focus on women — for her rendition of Defying Gravity. Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii used her acceptance speech to sharply criticise US President Donald Trump's handling of protests in Los Angeles. The Swamp Princess takes her crown again! Standing ovation please for the #BETAwards Best Female Hip Hop Artist, @officialdoechii 👑 In case you couldn't tell, we're your biggest fan! — #BETAwards (@BETAwards) June 10, 2025 Collecting the award for best female hip-hop artist, she accused the president of 'creating fear and chaos' in his response to demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which sparked days of protest across the city. 'I do want to address what's happening right now, outside the building,' she said. 'These are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities. In the name of law and order, Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be, when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us.' Mr Trump announced plans to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to California to quell the protests, which began on Friday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the move was 'essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States'. The decision drew sharp criticism from Democratic politicians, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called the move 'purposefully inflammatory'. London-based girl-group FLO missed out after picking up nominations for best group and the Bet Her award for their track In My Bag, featuring GloRilla. Fellow UK artists Bashy and Ezra Collective earned nominations for best international artist, while multi-genre artist Odeal and R&B singer kwn were shortlisted for best new international act. Kendrick Lamar, who led the pack with 10 nominations, took home awards for album of the year and best male hip-hop artist. He also won video of the year and video director of the year for his hit Not Like Us, as well as best collaboration for Luther, his track with SZA SZA won best female R&B/pop artist, while Chris Brown took home best male R&B/pop artist. The evening featured a star-studded cast, including actor Jamie Foxx, with performances by Ashanti, Mariah Carey and GloRilla. Foxx, Carey, gospel star Kirk Franklin and Snoop Dogg were honoured with the ultimate icon award for their contributions to community, entertainment, and advocacy. Miles Canton, Luke James and Lucky Daye delivered an R&B tribute to Quincy Jones, who died in November.


South Wales Guardian
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Cynthia Erivo crowned best actress at BET Awards
Hosted by Kevin Hart, Monday's BET Awards celebrated the work of black people in music, entertainment, film, sports and philanthropy. The London-born star, who rose to worldwide prominence last year for her role in Wicked, was also nominated for the BET Her Award — which recognises empowering songs that focus on women — for her rendition of Defying Gravity. Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii used her acceptance speech to sharply criticise US President Donald Trump's handling of protests in Los Angeles. The Swamp Princess takes her crown again! Standing ovation please for the #BETAwards Best Female Hip Hop Artist, @officialdoechii 👑 In case you couldn't tell, we're your biggest fan! — #BETAwards (@BETAwards) June 10, 2025 Collecting the award for best female hip-hop artist, she accused the president of 'creating fear and chaos' in his response to demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which sparked days of protest across the city. 'I do want to address what's happening right now, outside the building,' she said. 'These are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities. In the name of law and order, Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be, when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us.' Mr Trump announced plans to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to California to quell the protests, which began on Friday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the move was 'essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States'. The decision drew sharp criticism from Democratic politicians, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called the move 'purposefully inflammatory'. London-based girl-group FLO missed out after picking up nominations for best group and the Bet Her award for their track In My Bag, featuring GloRilla. Fellow UK artists Bashy and Ezra Collective earned nominations for best international artist, while multi-genre artist Odeal and R&B singer kwn were shortlisted for best new international act. Kendrick Lamar, who led the pack with 10 nominations, took home awards for album of the year and best male hip-hop artist. He also won video of the year and video director of the year for his hit Not Like Us, as well as best collaboration for Luther, his track with SZA SZA won best female R&B/pop artist, while Chris Brown took home best male R&B/pop artist. The evening featured a star-studded cast, including actor Jamie Foxx, with performances by Ashanti, Mariah Carey and GloRilla. Foxx, Carey, gospel star Kirk Franklin and Snoop Dogg were honoured with the ultimate icon award for their contributions to community, entertainment, and advocacy. Miles Canton, Luke James and Lucky Daye delivered an R&B tribute to Quincy Jones, who died in November.

Rhyl Journal
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Cynthia Erivo crowned best actress at BET Awards
Hosted by Kevin Hart, Monday's BET Awards celebrated the work of black people in music, entertainment, film, sports and philanthropy. The London-born star, who rose to worldwide prominence last year for her role in Wicked, was also nominated for the BET Her Award — which recognises empowering songs that focus on women — for her rendition of Defying Gravity. Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii used her acceptance speech to sharply criticise US President Donald Trump's handling of protests in Los Angeles. The Swamp Princess takes her crown again! Standing ovation please for the #BETAwards Best Female Hip Hop Artist, @officialdoechii 👑 In case you couldn't tell, we're your biggest fan! — #BETAwards (@BETAwards) June 10, 2025 Collecting the award for best female hip-hop artist, she accused the president of 'creating fear and chaos' in his response to demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which sparked days of protest across the city. 'I do want to address what's happening right now, outside the building,' she said. 'These are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities. In the name of law and order, Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be, when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us.' Mr Trump announced plans to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to California to quell the protests, which began on Friday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the move was 'essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States'. The decision drew sharp criticism from Democratic politicians, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called the move 'purposefully inflammatory'. London-based girl-group FLO missed out after picking up nominations for best group and the Bet Her award for their track In My Bag, featuring GloRilla. Fellow UK artists Bashy and Ezra Collective earned nominations for best international artist, while multi-genre artist Odeal and R&B singer kwn were shortlisted for best new international act. Kendrick Lamar, who led the pack with 10 nominations, took home awards for album of the year and best male hip-hop artist. He also won video of the year and video director of the year for his hit Not Like Us, as well as best collaboration for Luther, his track with SZA SZA won best female R&B/pop artist, while Chris Brown took home best male R&B/pop artist. The evening featured a star-studded cast, including actor Jamie Foxx, with performances by Ashanti, Mariah Carey and GloRilla. Foxx, Carey, gospel star Kirk Franklin and Snoop Dogg were honoured with the ultimate icon award for their contributions to community, entertainment, and advocacy. Miles Canton, Luke James and Lucky Daye delivered an R&B tribute to Quincy Jones, who died in November.