Bruno Mars Sets New RIAA Record, Passes Post Malone & Swae Lee
Bruno Mars’ debut solo single “Just the Way You Are” has become the highest-certified song in RIAA history, reaching 21x Platinum and surpassing “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee. Originally released in 2010, the hit launched Mars’ global stardom and remains massively popular. This milestone also boosted several of his other tracks, including “The Lazy Song,” which earned Diamond status, tying Mars with The Weeknd and Rihanna for the third-most Diamond-certified singles.
Colman Domingo Casted as Cowardly Lion in ‘Wicked’ Sequel
Colman Domingo has been cast as the voice of the Cowardly Lion in Wicked: For Good, the sequel to Wicked. The announcement was made via the film’s Instagram, teasing his appearance with a lion plush. In the story, the Lion, originally a rescued cub by Elphaba and Fiyero, returns as a grown character who blames Elphaba for his fate. Although the role is minor, the Lion appears alongside Dorothy and others on the Yellow Brick Road and during the song “March of the Witchhunters.” The film hits theaters on Nov. 21.
Kering Sells Beauty Division to L’Oréal for $4.7B
Kering has agreed to sell its beauty division, including the prestigious House of Creed, to L’Oréal for approximately $4.7 billion, expected to close by the first half of 2026. As part of the deal, L’Oréal will also receive 50-year exclusive licenses to create and distribute fragrance and beauty products for major Kering brands Gucci (after the current Coty deal ends), Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta. The agreement includes royalty payments to Kering and establishes a strategic committee for brand coordination. Additionally, Kering and L’Oréal will launch a 50/50 joint venture focused on luxury, wellness, and longevity innovation.
Netflix Orders Series on Kennedy Family; Michael Fassbender to Star as Joe Kennedy Sr.
Netflix and Chernin Entertainment are producing Kennedy, a new eight-episode drama series about the Kennedy family’s rise, based on Fredrik Logevall’s book JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956. Michael Fassbender will star as Joe Kennedy Sr., with Sam Shaw as showrunner and Thomas Vinterberg directing. The series follows the Kennedy family starting in the 1930s, focusing on Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children, including Jack (later JFK), who struggles to find his path under his older brother’s shadow.
Dakota Johnson Tapped as Valentino Ambassador
Dakota Johnson has been named a global brand ambassador for Valentino, following her longtime collaborator Alessandro Michele’s move to the Italian couture house. Previously a Gucci ambassador since 2017 during Michele’s tenure there, Johnson now joins a roster of Valentino ambassadors including Clairo, Sophie Thatcher, Freen Sarocha, Jeff Satur, Lim Yoona, and Domingo, who now also represents Valentino Beauty’s fragrance line.
Gunna to Perform in Rolling Loud’s Return to Australia
Rolling Loud has announced its return to Australia for the first time in seven years with two one-day festivals in 2026 – March 7 in Sydney and March 8 in Melbourne – featuring Gunna as a confirmed performer. The full lineup, including international and local acts, will be revealed soon. Before that, the festival will debut in Mumbai on Nov. 22-23, headlined by Central Cee, Wiz Khalifa, Don Toliver, and Karan Aujla, alongside a mix of global and Indian hip-hop artists.
Bundesliga Clubs Partner with Top Baller for U-16 1v1 Soccer Series
Bundesliga, Top Baller, FC Bayern München, and RB Leipzig are launching a unique U-16 boys’ soccer competition in the U.S., starting Nov. 1 in Brooklyn. The five-part 1v1 series runs through Spring 2026, giving top players a shot at an academy trial with RB Leipzig. The top two players from each qualifier will advance to finals in April 2026, where two will be selected to train in Germany. Additionally, one standout from each qualifier will earn a spot at the FC Bayern Youth Cup qualifier in Portland, with the chance to represent Team USA in Munich.
Rolling Stone, VIBE are Teaming Up
VIBE is merging with Rolling Stone to strengthen its hip-hop coverage, Billboard recently reported. The partnership will lead to special collector’s print editions and a new interview series featuring major figures across music, sports, and fashion. VIBE’s longtime editor-in-chief, Datwon Thomas, will return as strategic advisor to help guide the brand’s next chapter.
Taraji P. Henson Inks New Deal with Netflix
Taraji P. Henson has signed a new two-picture acting deal with Netflix, expanding her partnership with the streamer. She will star in and produce both films through her production company, TPH Entertainment. This follows the success of her lead role in Straw, a Netflix original that premiered in June 2025, earned critical acclaim, and garnered over 106 million views in five weeks on the global movies chart (English).
A New ‘Prison Break’ Series is Coming to Hulu
Hulu has greenlit a new Prison Break series, set in the same universe as the original 2000s Fox show but featuring a new cast and storyline. Created by Mayans MC co-creator Elgin James, who will also serve as showrunner, the reboot stars Emily Browning as an ex-soldier turned corrections officer who takes a job at one of America’s deadliest prisons to protect someone she loves. The cast also includes Drake Rodger, Lukas Gage, Clayton Cardenas, JR Bourne, Georgie Flores, and Myles Bullock. Original series creator Paul Scheuring and other former EPs are also on board.
Image: Rich Fury / Getty Images for iHeartRadio
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