Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, and Chappell Roan Sleigh Christmas 'Carpool Karaoke' Special

Gaga, Lipa & Roan Sleigh "Carpool Karaoke" Christmas 

This holiday season, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, and rising star Chappell Roan have come together for A Carpool Karaoke Christmas, a festival special debuting on Apple TV+. The special sees the global icons join Apple Music’s Zane Lowe on a musical road trip, travelling from Tokyo, Missouri, and the lively streets of Los Angeles. 

The trio dazzles with performances of beloved holiday classics that capture the spirit of the season alongside their hits, blending festive cheer with a modern twist for an unforgettable Christmas celebration. 

In a brief prologue, Carpool Karaoke mainstay James Corden passes the torch (and the car keys) to Zane Lowe, who serves as host and duet partner for all three segments of the hour-long holiday special. Corden's handover comes via a phone call from the UK. Lowe's driving duties take him from Roan's Missouri hometown to Lipa's pre-gig Tokyo and Gaga's Los Angeles en route to a studio session. The final "drive" culminates in Lowe joining Gaga's band on electric guitar for a studio recording of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," also released as a standalone audio track.

Gaga, the only one of the trio with her own Christmas song, sets up the performance by telling Lowe she prefers "wholesome and sentimental" holiday music—"a song that the whole family can get together and sing." The setup makes the subsequent performance of her 2008 track "Christmas Tree" all the more amusing. The song's playful blend of "Deck the Halls" with lines like "underneath the mistletoe, everybody knows we will take off our clothes" and "my Christmas tree's delicious" creates a humorous juxtaposition.

'Lana' Gets the Deluxe Treatment: SZA Enlists Ben Stiller for New Release

After months of eager anticipation and social media buzz, SZA fans can finally celebrate: the deluxe edition of her chart-topping album SOS, titled Lana, is set to release this Friday, December 20th. The exciting announcement came through a teaser video, released on social media. The clip features a surprising guest: acclaimed actor and comedian Ben Stiller. It showcases him lip-syncing to SZA’s new track “Drive” during a moody, rain-soaked night drive. 

For over two years, SZA has kept fans eagerly anticipating Lana, a project originally described as a “whole other album” filled with outtakes, unseen gems, and fresh material. Yet this extended wait hints that Lana is not merely a collection of leftovers but a curated companion piece reflecting a crucial chapter in SZA’s artistic evolution. 

In a recent interview with British Vogue, SZA shared insights into her creative transition, stating, “I think I am making music from a more beautiful place. From a more possible place versus a more angsty place.” SZA emphasized that she no longer identifies with her past pain, explaining, “It’s not my identity. I experienced cruelty. I have to put it down at some point. Piece by piece, my music is shifting because of that, the lighter I get.” 

Wicked Sequel Gets Official Title - Wicked: For Good

The highly anticipated second part of the two-part Wicked film adaptation has officially been titled Wicked: For Good. Set to hit theatres on November 21, 2025, this sequel will continue the epic story of the Witches of Oz.  

The news was confirmed via the film's official X account, which tweeted: "You will be changed. Wicked: For Good, only in theaters November 21, 2025." The title is a nod to the iconic song from the second act of the Broadway musical, which explores the enduring friendship between Elphaba and Glinda. Fans can look forward to hearing Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's rendition of this beloved song in the upcoming film and its soundtrack.

Wicked: For Good is set to be released in theatres on November 21, 2025, exactly one year after the release of the first film. The first film has been a box office success, currently ranking as the eighth highest-grossing movie of 2024 worldwide.

ICYMI

• Madonna has revealed that she will be releasing new music in 2025. She has been in the studio with Stuart Price, who previously worked with her on her album, ‘Confessions on a Dance Floor.’ 

• Dua Lipa has spoken out about being snubbed by the GRAMMYs, she states ‘Although it would have been nice to be recognized by your industry, especially as a woman, I’m so proud seeing so many female artists nominated this year.’

• Billie Eilish earned the most RIAA certifications in 2024, earning a total of 10 certifications on their end-of-year list. 

• The Hollywood Reporter has named ‘Cowboy Carter’ the best album of 2024. 

— Katie Macbeth

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