Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, and Doechii Among Grammy Performers
Next Sunday marks the 67th Grammy Awards, set to take place in Las Angeles. Ahead of the show, the Recording Academy revealed the first round of performers. Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, Doechii, RAYE, Sabrina Carpenter, Shakira, and Teddy Swims will grace the stage at the event on Feb. 2. As previously announced, Trevor Noah will return as the ceremony’s host for a fifth consecutive year.
Celtics, Lakers Lead Fan Merch Purchases in First Half of NBA Season
The Boston Celtics kicked off the 2024-25 season by raising their 18th championship banner to the rafters and have stayed in peak form as they prepare to head into the All-Star break, leading fans to scoop up new team merch in droves. According to data from sales at the NBA Store through the first half of the season, the Cs emerged atop the league’s list of highest-selling merchandise. They are followed by the Los Angeles Lakers and divisional rivals, the New York Knicks, in the second and third spots. The Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls round out the top five teams.
Charli xcx to Produce and Star in Upcoming A24 Film
Charli xcx is the latest singer pivoting to acting, with Variety reporting that she is set to produce and star in a new project with help from A24. The Moment will be the first flick from the British entertainer’s production firm Studio365. While details of the storyline remain unknown, the project is based on an original idea from the “Apple” singer. So far, it has tapped Bertie Brandes to write the screenplay and Aidan Zamiri, who will make his directing debut. A.G. Cook, who Charli worked with on her chart-topping album Brat, will compose the score.
Dior Creative Director Kim Jones Knighted, Receives Prestigious French Legion of Honour Award
Kim Jones received France’s highest civilian award, the Legion of Honour, in a ceremony in Paris on Friday. Anna Wintour presented the Creative Director of Dior Homme and Fendi womenswear with the accolade Jones reflected on his emotional response to the honor, telling WWD, “When I got the letter, I cried. It’s very nice because it’s celebrating your work and achievements.”
Fanatics Sales Hit $8.1B, Showcase 15% Growth in Revenue
Fanatics said its profits jumped 15% to $8.1 billion in 2024, according to data obtained by Sportico. The company’s Chief Financial Officer, Glenn Schiffman, added that apparel and merchandise sales make up about $6.2 billion, or 77% of that total. Fanatics Collectibles, which houses the company’s trading card division, made about $1.6 billion last year, while Fanatics Betting & Gaming’s revenue totaled around $300 million. This success allowed Fanatics to settle $50 million of debt, bringing its total outstanding deficit to around $150 million.
Babyface Ray, BabyTron Tap in for Empire and 2K’s Limited-Edition Collab Vinyl
Empire is synonymous with success for independent artists. Now, the label is teaming up with NBA 2K for a limited-run vinyl box set, EMPIRE & NBA 2K Present: Music to Ball To. The collab recognizes the music from the soundtrack of NBA 2K25 Season 2 and features 13 songs and a bonus single that combine to curate “an experience that shapes how we play, listen, and live.” Asake, Key Glock, Babyface Ray & Doughboy Clay, BabyTron, and LUCKI can be found on the limited-edition set, which includes basketball-textured packaging with custom-designed vinyl sleeves, EMPIRE Music to Ball To championship banner, 35k virtual currency for in-game purchases, and more.
NWSL’s Houston Dash Explores Potential Sale
Sportico obtained a memo from club employees Friday saying that Houston Dynamo and Dash owner Ted Segal has contracted investment firm PJT Partners to examine the future of the NWSL franchise. The Dash is reportedly considering three potential options, which include new investors joining the team’s ownership group, a sale that would enable a new majority owner, or maintenance of the current ownership status. Ranked 10th on the outlet’s list of most valuable NWSL franchises ($74 million), Segal said this audit could last several months.
Tim Cook Makes ‘Severance’ Cameo
Fans of Severance could see a familiar face in an upcoming episode of the award-winning show: Apple CEO Tim Cook. Apple TV shared a promo for the thriller series on Friday, and it shows Cook walking the long white hallways of Lumon Industries, where he’s greeted by Mr. Seth Milchick (Tramell Tillman) before sitting down to watch an instructional video. Episode 2 of the second season dropped Friday, and new episodes air weekly through March 21.