Beyoncé Delivers Halftime Show, SZA Parts Ways With Manager

Beyoncé Delivers a Career-Defining Halftime Show at NFL Christmas Gameday

NFL fans enjoyed a spectacular Christmas Day show as Beyoncé took to the stage for the halftime show of Netflix’s NFL Christmas Gameday broadcast. The 32-time Grammy-winning superstar delivered an electrifying performance of songs from her latest album, Cowboy Carter, featuring tracks like “16 Carriages,” “Black Bird,” “YA YA,” “Levii’s Jeans,” and “Texas Hold ‘Em” for the first time ever live. 

In an exciting twist, Beyoncé was joined by special guests Shaboozey and Post Malone, who added to the magic with performances of "Sweet⭐️Honey⭐️Buckin'" and "Levii's Jeans." The show was a captivating blend of music and visual artistry, highlighted by vibrant lighting and intricate set design. A special moment occurred when her daughter, Blue Ivy, danced alongside the performers, bringing a touch of familial talent to the spotlight. 

This marked Queen Bey’s second NFL halftime show, having previously headlined the Super Bowl in 2013, and she also appeared alongside Coldplay in 2016. The Christmas Day festivities also featured Mariah Carey’s pre-taped performance of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and a stirring rendition of the national anthem by Grammy-winning a cappella group Pentatonix, capping off a night of holiday cheer and musical brilliance. 

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After her performance, Beyoncé took to social media to tease an upcoming announcement scheduled for January 14th. In the video, she is seen riding a white horse while waving the American flag, accompanied by the caption, “Look at that horse.” Since the post went live, the ticketing group Live Nation has shared the teaser, leading to speculation that Beyoncé will announce her highly anticipated 2025 tour on that date.

SZA Parts Ways With Manager Punch Days After “Lana” Release

SZA has announced her unexpected split from her longtime manager, Terrence “Punch” Henderson. Punch has been a vital force in SZA’s career since 2011, significantly influencing her work, including the recent release of “Lana”, and the deluxe rendition of her acclaimed 2022 album “SOS.” 

The news came as a surprise, especially as SZA had recently expressed excitement about releasing new music. After “Lana” dropped, SZA shared conversations with Punch about potential projects like “Take You Down,” “PSA,” and “Open Arms.” However, the abrupt nature of the separation has left the future of these tracks uncertain. 

In response to a fan on Instagram, SZA recognized the suddenness of the split, explaining that it complicated the release of their previously discussed songs. Despite the big change, SZA has maintained a supportive stance: "I love Punch deeply! NO ONE should be attacking him or being cruel on my behalf.” She acknowledged that sometimes people grow apart and wished him well in his future endeavors. 

The transition marks a significant shift in SZA’s career, leaving fans curious about the direction of her music moving forward.

Mariah Carey Breaks Records With 2 Billion Spotify Streams 

Mariah Carey continues her reign as the undisputed "Queen of Christmas" with yet another groundbreaking achievement. Her iconic holiday anthem, "All I Want for Christmas Is You," has officially surpassed 2 billion streams on Spotify, making history as the first-ever holiday song to reach this milestone.

This achievement comes on the heels of the song's RIAA certification as 16x Platinum, solidifying its position as the highest-certified single by a female artist in history.

Reflecting on this unprecedented success, Carey shared her gratitude: "This is beyond incredible. I’m honored to have ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ be the first holiday track on Spotify to reach 2 Billion Streams! I’m so grateful to all Spotify listeners around the world who’ve made the song part of their holiday tradition year after year."

Released in 1994, "All I Want for Christmas Is You" has transcended time, captivating listeners across generations. It consistently reigns as Spotify's most-streamed holiday song globally and in the United States. Notably, the song's popularity has surged in recent years, with global streams increasing by nearly 120% over the past five years. This year, younger audiences have enthusiastically embraced the classic, placing it among their top three most-played holiday tracks.

ICYMI

• WICKED is set for a digital release on December 31st - following its success at the box office. 

• ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 has officially been released by Netflix, three years after the release of season 1. 

• Britney Spears has revealed that she has been reunited with her sons after 2 years - declaring this Christmas the “best Christmas” of her life.

— Katie Macbeth

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