Tangled Casting Revealed, OliviaxByrne for 'Drivers Licence', Golden Globes Presenters

Disney Finds Its Rapunzel and Flynn for Live-Action 'Tangled'

Disney has officially cast Teagan Croft (Titans) and Disney Channel alum Milo Manheim (Zombies) as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider in the upcoming live-action adaptation of Tangled. The search was an international affair, with the duo beating out finalists in London screen tests to land the roles originally voiced by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi. They’ll be working under the direction of Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), who is expected to bring big-scale musical energy to the "modern classic" that defined Disney's second animation renaissance.

With a script from Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Do Revenge), expectations for the production are high. Disney live-action remakes frequently approach or surpass the billion-dollar mark, and for Croft and Manheim, these roles could be major boosts to their careers. They will also face close scrutiny from a generation that grew up singing “I’ve Got a Dream.” Between Croft’s action background and Manheim’s musical theater experience, the studio appears confident that they can handle both the physical demands and the challenging musical performances.

Olivia Rodrigo Celebrates Five Years of 'Drivers License' with David Byrne Cover

Five years after Olivia Rodrigo left her “child actress” days behind with the release of her record-breaking debut single, “Drivers License,” she’s marking the milestone with a series of tributes tied to her hit album, Sour. To kick things off, she dropped a digital cover of “Drivers License” by Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, following their viral “Burning Down the House” duet at last year’s Governors Ball. Byrne’s version is the first in a planned run of covers from Rodrigo’s catalog.

Rodrigo is also catering to collectors with several vinyl exclusives, including a 7" translucent ruby edition, a departure from her usual purple aesthetic, featuring Byrne’s cover plus live highlights from her Governors Ball set. As the first move in Sour’s fifth-anniversary rollout, the project links Gen Z pop with New Wave royalty and underscores how Rodrigo’s debut has evolved from breakout hit to a song respected by industry legends.

ICYMI:

• Bruno Mars has announced ‘The Romantic’ tour. He’ll be joined by special guests Anderson .Paak, Leon Thomas, RAYE, and Victoria Monet at select dates across the US, Europe, and the UK.

• Hilary Duff has teased a new song from her forthcoming album, ‘luck… or something.’ 

The Golden Globes Set the Stage with a Star-Studded Presenter Lineup

The Golden Globes have finalized their presenter lineup for this weekend, assembling a roster that spans Hollywood heavyweights and current pop stars. George Clooney and Julia Roberts will take the stage alongside Ayo Edebiri, Colman Domingo, and Ana de Armas. The show is also leaning into music-world buzz, with Miley Cyrus, Snoop Dogg, and Charli XCX set to appear, keeping the broadcast among the season’s most-watched events.

Produced by Dick Clark Productions, the 83rd annual ceremony will air live Sunday on CBS and stream on Paramount+ at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET. Additional presenters include Pamela Anderson, Macaulay Culkin, and Lalisa Manobal, plus Heated Rivalry standouts Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams. Balancing awards-circuit fixtures with viral stars, the Globes are clearly aiming to capture a broad slice of the entertainment audience as they launch the 2026 awards season.

POP FACT: On this day in 1976, Queen began a nine-week run at the top of the charts with “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Emmy’s Introduce New "Legacy Award" to Honor Iconic Series

The Television Academy is expanding its trophy mantle for the first time in two decades with the introduction of the Legacy Award, a new Emmy category designed to honor programs that have made a "profound and lasting impact" on society and the industry. To be eligible for the engraved statuette, a show must have aired at least 60 episodes over five seasons and demonstrated sustained cultural relevance, criteria that open the door for both long-concluded classics like All in the Family and enduring hits like Grey’s Anatomy. Nominated by industry peers or the general public and selected by a specialized committee, the award will celebrate franchises as a whole, ensuring that television's most influential stories are recognized for their long-term inspiration rather than just their most recent season.

ICYMI:

• After an agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, protests have broken out nationwide with people protesting against ICE.

• ‘Jackass 5’ is set to be released on June 26th. 

• Netflix crashed once again as ‘Stranger Things’ fans anticipated a secret ninth episode of the final season but were met with disappointment when nothing dropped. 

• Madonna fronts a new campaign for Dolce & Gabbana, signalling a ‘revamp’ for the brand.

Best New Track: “I Just Might” by Bruno Mars

The new year arrives in a kick step and a da-da-da-da-da.

Bruno Mars finally stands solo again—no Silk Sonic or roster of glossy collaborators. (Even now, “APT.” still holds up as a great tune.) “I Just Might” arrives as the lead single from his forthcoming album, The Romantic.

This song leans into the vibey groove Mars has long made his calling card. He doesn’t feel the need to reinvent himself here; a decade on from his last album, he’s giving listeners the familiar elements that made them fall for him in the first place.

Still, there’s nothing quite like his voice. Those Jackson 5 notes in the bridge somehow still manage to make the heart beat faster. And really, he’s The Romantic, through and through.

You can expect the album on February 27.

—Dawson Therre

— Katie Macbeth

Subscribe to the newsletter to discover new releases through Pop Base weekly and to find out what songs we declare the best of the week.