In a move that’s sure to delight fans of both The Big Bang Theory and its prequel series Young Sheldon, Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik are set to reunite on screen for the series finale of Young Sheldon. The beloved actors will reprise their iconic roles as Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler, respectively marking their first on-screen appearance together since the finale of The Big Bang Theory in May 2019. The official Instagram page of Young Sheldon CBS confirmed the news, sparking excitement among viewers who have eagerly followed both series. The Young Sheldon family at prayer While details of Parsons and Bialik’s appearance are being kept under wraps, anticipation is running high for what promises to be a memorable reunion of the beloved on-screen couple. The Big Bang Theory fans will recall that Sheldon and Amy’s journey reached a pinnacle in the series finale, where they were awarded the Nobel Prize in physics. Now, viewers will have the opportunity to see them once again in action, albeit in their younger incarnations on Young Sheldon. Throughout its run, Young Sheldon has paid homage to its predecessor with several references to The Big Bang Theory. Notably, stars like Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, and Bialik have lent their voices to the prequel series, further enriching the connection between the two shows. News of Parsons and Bialik’s reunion comes hot on the heels of CBS’s confirmation of a spin-off featuring Emily Osment and Montana Jordan’s characters, Mandy and Georgie, ensuring that The Big Bang Theory universe will continue to captivate audiences. Behind the scenes, Young Sheldon is helmed by creators Chuck Lorre and Steve Molaro, along with an esteemed team of executive producers, including Parsons himself. The series boasts an ensemble cast, including Iain Armitage, Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, Annie Potts, among others. As the countdown to the series finale begins, fans can mark their calendars for May 16, when they will have the chance to see Parsons and Bialik grace the screen once more in the farewell episode of Young Sheldon. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 May,2024 06:27 AM IST | Washington | AgenciesHollywood star Robert Downey Jr is set to make his Broadway debut with McNeal, a new play by Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar. Downey Jr, who recently won his maiden Oscar trophy for Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023), will play the titular author in the play, which is being staged by Broadway giant Lincoln Center Theater at its Vivian Beaumont Theater. Directed by Bartlett Sher, McNeal is described as a “startling and wickedly smart examination of the inescapable humanity and increasing inhumanity of the stories we tell”, according to a press release by Lincoln Center Theater. “Good writers borrow, great writers steal. Jacob McNeal (Downey Jr) is a great writer, one of our greatest, a perpetual candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature. But McNeal also has an estranged son, a new novel, old axes to grind, and an unhealthy fascination with Artificial Intelligence,” the official synopsis read. Downey Jr will also produce the stage show through his banner, Team Downey in collaboration, with Lincoln Center Theater. McNeal will begin previews on September 5, and will play a strictly limited engagement from September 30 to November 24. Downey Jr currently stars in HBO’s miniseries, The Sympathizer, an adaptation of author Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same title. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 May,2024 05:25 AM IST | Washington | AgenciesBAFTA-winning French actor Isabelle Huppert is set to head to Italy as she will preside over the main jury of the upcoming edition of the Venice Film Festival.The actor has a long-standing rapport with the festival as she has won Venice’s Coppa Volpi for Best Actress twice, first with Story of Women in 1988, and subsequently with La Ceremonie in 1995, both directed by Claude Chabrol. The actor has made eight films with Chabrol, and also has a close bond with the Cannes Film Festival where in 1978, she won the Best Actress statuette for Chabrol’s Violette. Venice Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the world and is included in the ‘big three’ European film galas and ‘big five’ film festivals across the world.In 2005, she was honoured by Venice with a Special Golden Lion for her titular role in Gabrielle, Patrice Chereau’s costume drama about an imploded marriage. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 May,2024 05:22 AM IST | Los Angeles | AgenciesPriyanka Chopra, one of the busiest actresses currently, resumed the shoot of her upcoming film 'Heads of State' after returning from her vacation in India. She has announced the wrap of the much-awaited film alongside John Cena and Idris Elba. Priyanka shared a beautiful video showing her having fun on the sets of the film alongside her little munchkin, Maltie Marie. In her post, Priyanka wrote, “And it’s a wrap... it’s been a year... well, a lot happened but here we are. Tonight I wrapped on a set that was always so full of laughter and professionalism. That rare combination doesn’t happen always... This movie was a breeze because the cast and crew came prepared with their A game every day. It’s been an honor to work with some legends in our business on this one. Hope y’all have as much fun watching it as we did making it. 'Heads of State' will be on @primevideo... when u ask me? Above my pay grade. lol. Gratitude.” Regarding Priyanka’s India visit She arrived in India in March. This was probably her longest stay in India after a long time. The actress currently lives in LA with husband Nick Jonas and their daughter, Malti Marie. During her visit to India, Priyanka and Nick visited Ram Mandir. The couple also attended Mannara’s birthday bash in the city. Priyanka and Nick celebrated Holi in India this time with their family and friends. The party was hosted in Noida by one of PC’s close friends. The actress shared several pictures and videos from their celebration. Apart from that, Priyanka and Nick also attended actress’ brother Siddharth’s engagement to Neelam Upadhyaya. On the work front In the coming months, Priyanka will be seen in 'Heads of State', alongside John Cena and Idris Elba. She is also set to lend her voice to Disneynature's upcoming film 'Tiger'. The movie will be released on Disney+ Hotstar and revolves around understanding the intricacies of the intriguing world of one of our planet's most loved creatures. On the Bollywood front, she will be seen in Farhan Akhtar's next directorial 'Jee Le Zaraa' alongside Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt.
08 May,2024 01:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIan Gelder, known for his role as Kevan Lannister, the younger brother of Lord Tywin Lannister, in twelve episodes of Game of Thrones, has died at the age of 74. His husband, Ben Daniels, shared the news of his passing on Instagram on Tuesday, May 7th. About Ian Gelder's death View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ben (@bendanielsss) Daniels' Instagram post read as follows, “It is with huge huge sadness and a heavy heart broken into a million pieces that I’m leaving this post to announce the passing of my darling husband and life partner Ian Gelder. Ian was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in December and yesterday he passed at 13.07. I’d stopped all work to be his carer but neither of us had any idea that it would all be so fast. He was my absolute rock and we’d been partners for more than 30 years." He continued, "If we weren’t together we spoke to each other everyday. He was the kindest, most generous spirited and loving human being. He was a wonderful wonderful actor and everyone who worked with him was touched by his heart and light. I honestly don’t know what I’ll do without him by my side. He coped with his dreadful illness with such bravery, with no self pity. Ever. He was remarkable and will be so missed. This pic was taken at Christmas time after I’d got him out of hospital and even though he’d gone through the worst three weeks there you can still see his joy and love shining through. Rest well my sweet Chianni. Xxxx" About Ian Gelder According to his IMDb page, Gelder featured in 12 episodes of Game of Thrones and made appearances on various shows like Doctor Who, Fifteen-Love, Torchwood, Snatch, His Dark Materials, and The Bill. Gelder's upcoming roles included playing a vampire named Santiago in Interview With the Vampire, airing next Sunday, May 12 on AMC. He was also slated to appear in Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, set to premiere later this year. Gelder's agent, speaking to People, described him as "a wonderful person" and "an excellent actor" who will be greatly missed by his peers and everyone who admired him.
08 May,2024 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmerican singer-songwriter and actor Ariana Grande said that her first day on set filming 'Wicked', with costar Cynthia Erivo and director Jon M Chu, "was the most emotional day of his life," reported Variety. While gliding across the Met Gala red carpet, Ariana Grande -- dressed in a custom Loewe ball gown discussed her first day on the set of 'Wicked'. "My first day on set for 'Wicked' was the most emotional day of my life," Grande recalled. "All I remember was holding hands with Cynthia (Erivo) and Jon (Chu) and crying. And (Jon) saying, 'Welcome to 'Wicked'." 'Wicked' is a movie adaptation of Winnie Holzman's 2003 Tony Award-winning musical, starring Erivo and Grande as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. The film chronicles the narrative of an odd relationship between the soon-to-be Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the South, and how their lives alter once they meet the great and powerful Wizard of Oz. Grande explained that the natural chemistry between her and Erivo sprang from a strong connection they had during filming. "She is truly my sister. We found in each other things we needed," Grande explained. "I can't wait for everyone to see it." Erivo quickly joined Grande on the carpet, and when asked which moment they were most thrilled for fans to watch, the pair said, "All of them." Grande praised Erivo's performance in 'Wicked', stating that she "will never forget a minute of filming with her." "She humanizes [Elphaba] in such an extraordinary way and brings her to life," Grande added. "Her eyes, her hands, it's otherworldly." Erivo returned the recognition to Grande, saying that her "Wicked" co-star "wears her heart on her sleeve constantly." "She is so open and generous with her performance that it is so easy to be in a scene with her," Erivo continued. "You look at her eyes and you know she is telling the truth." The first part of Chu's "Wicked" hits theatres on November 27, reported Variety. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 May,2024 07:31 AM IST | New York | ANIIt was that time of the year again when the world’s most elite gathered to celebrate fashion’s most prestigious event—the Met Gala at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Stars, designers, and fashion enthusiasts alike converged to witness the spectacle that is hailed as fashion’s biggest night. This year’s theme, Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, promised to transport attendees into a realm where the past seamlessly intertwines with the present. With a dress code of The Garden of Time, guests were expected to embody the essence of nature’s beauty, reflecting on the evolution of fashion through ages. Nicole Kidman, Brie Larson and Zendaya Amidst the flurry of excitement, stars including Anna Wintour, Jennifer Lopez, and Bollywood’s very own Alia Bhatt graced the green-tinged carpet, setting the stage for the evening. Bhatt, no stranger to the Met Gala spotlight, made a grand entrance in a breathtaking floral Sabyasachi saree, marking her second appearance at the prestigious event. Isha Ambani opted for Indian designer Rahul Mishra’s couture sari gown, featuring a long floral train. Ambani’s look “embraces sustainability by incorporating elements from Rahul’s past collections,” informed Anaita Shroff Adajania. Cara Delevingne and Gigi Hadid Comedian-actor Mindy Kaling showed up in a champagne-coloured architectural gown designed by Gaurav Gupta. Interestingly, Kaling’s outfit is quite similar to what Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wore at the Cannes Film Festival 2022. After a five-year hiatus from the event, Zendaya captured the essence of the gala’s theme with her attire. Adorned in a peacock-inspired gown by Maison Margiela’s John Galliano, the actor’s ensemble was the vintage Christian Dior gown, dating back to spring 1999 couture. It featured a kaleidoscope of colours, reminiscent of the majestic plumage of a peacock. She completing her look with a dark lip and a feather-topped hat, adding a touch of drama to ensemble. For her second appearance, Zendaya opted for a striking billowing black skirt paired with an off-the-shoulder, period-style long-sleeve top, courtesy of Givenchy couture from 1996, adorned with a bouquet of vibrant roses. Jennifer Lopez, Rapper Bad Bunny, Awkwafina, Amanda Seyfried and Mindy Kaling Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky attended the gala wearing Tom Ford ensembles. Hemsworth opted for a cream-coloured suit, while Pataky donned a shimmering long-sleeve dress accessorised with gold bangles. Gigi Hadid embodied the essence of old Hollywood glamour in a Thom Browne creation. Her gown featured intricate rose detailing, cascading off her shoulders. Her gown, requiring five handlers to fluff out its attached train, featured a quirky twist, a tuxedo jacket silhouette, complete with sleeves. Lea Michele Kim Kardashian donned a sheer Margiela by John Galliano dress with a lace train featuring leaves and floral accents. She also bundled up in a simple gray shawl. The highlight of her outfit was her silver corset, giving her a drastically tiny waist. Actor-singer Lea Michele, who is expecting her second child, proudly flaunted her baby bump in Sleeping Beauty’s iconic blue dress. Rapper Bad Bunny made a bold statement in a custom all-black ensemble from Maison Margiela, with subtle details adding flair to his look. A red strip running up the inside of his trousers provided a striking contrast against the darkness, while black sunglasses, gloves, and a hat completed the ensemble. Nicole Kidman epitomised timeless sophistication in a custom-made Balenciaga gown, a modern reinterpretation of a 1950s Cristobal Balenciaga couture creation, adorned in white silk satin and hand-frayed organza with feather-like embroidery. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 May,2024 06:55 AM IST | Washington | AgenciesActor Emily Blunt recalled her kids' reaction while watching her trapped and injured underwater in 'Jungle Cruise', reported People. "They don't love watching me on screen," said Blunt, 41, of daughters Hazel, 9, and Violet, 7, who she shares with husband John Krasinski, 44. "Which I understand because I'm their mommy and it's very strange to see me play someone else." That holds true even for films geared at children, such as Disney's 2011 blockbuster 'The Muppets', 2018's 'Mary Poppins Returns', and 2021's 'Jungle Cruise'. The latter picture, which also stars Dwayne Johnson, proved to be a painful watching experience for her children. "They've only seen Jungle Cruise once," the Oppenheimer Oscar nominee revealed. "They didn't like the underwater stuff where I'm trapped and I'm in peril." In the action-comedy based on the same-named Disneyland theme park attraction, Blunt's explorer Dr Lily Houghton admits to being unable to swim. The tale is set in the Amazon River, where wonderfully fearsome opponents await, pitting the adventurer in a number of high-stakes underwater confrontations. Upon seeing her in danger, recalled Blunt with a frown, Hazel and Violet "started crying. They left the room." Ryan Gosling, Blunt's costar in the stunt-heavy action-comedy 'The Fall Guy', agrees with their reaction. "I didn't like that, either," he told Blunt. "That was upsetting for me to watch you like that!" Similarly, Gosling's daughters Esmeralda Amada, 9, and Amada Lee, 8, who he shares with longtime partner Eva Mendes, have concerns about his strange line of work. Going into production on The Fall Guy, "My kids didn't want me to be set on fire. They were like, 'No. No fire.' So I didn't do it, " reported People. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 May,2024 11:39 AM IST | Washington | ANIInarguably among the most popular bands of the 2000s, Brit-quartet Blue amassed a league of followers fairly early in their pop music career. Having delivered 15 chart-toppers in the mere span of three years soon after their debut, their early success had them rubbing shoulders with industry icons like Elton John and Stevie Wonder, establishing their place as a band that was, as they say, “here to stay”. And even though their hit tracks, including All rise, U make me wanna, and One love never left the playlists of ’90s kids, it is the recent attention directed to the last one on this list that brings them before us for this interview. One love has been trending on social media, but there’s some comic relief in the unison with which they nod their heads in the negative when we ask them if they are social media-savvy. “When they tell us we’re trending, we’re grateful, but we don’t know what that means,” say the boys in their 40s, adding, “We’re not from this era.” In this interview, they discuss sticking together for 24 years, and the defining moments that made them. Edited excerpts from the interview: When you look back at your successful tracks today, can you identify what made them the evergreen classics they are?Duncan James: When we wrote these tracks 24 years ago, we were lucky to collaborate with producers known as Stargate. They were fundamental to our career, because they created that sound that everybody knows, like the [ones you hear] in One love, All rise, Sorry seems to be the hardest word. They found a nice [way] to place our vocals on their production, and it worked, not just in our home country, but across the globe. It was like an Elton John-Bernie Taupin kind of relationship. We were lucky that with them being part of the beginning of our career, we found our Bernie. Simon Webbe: We were influenced by the music that we grew up with. And, there are four of us. Some of us were [followers of] George Michael, Abba, [and others admired] Boys II Men, and Mutant Clan. [We could] put that [knowledge] together. For some reason, our sound resonated through time. For us, it was [only within] three years, between 2001 and 2004, that we were able to deliver 15 hits. Today, we don’t really understand what’s going on with this social media stuff. Back in the day, people had physical CDs; there was something about owning them and being part of [that era]. Now, with social media, you can listen to artistes at the click of a button. Our song, One love, is nostalgic for people around the world. We don’t really understand what’s going on. We’re just sitting here going, okay, can you explain what the whole ‘trending’ thing is? Are any of you social media savvy?Anthony Costa: No, we don’t understand it at all. So please excuse us. This is all very new to us. But, the fact that our song is doing well across the world is amazing because it shows that it was a really strong pop song that resonates to this day. We’re very grateful, we just don’t understand how it works.Blue has enjoyed a very successful run, and there have also been instances when you all decided to take a hiatus. What does it take to keep a band together for 24 years? Lee Ryan: You’ve got to first have love and respect for one another. There have been many boy bands from our era whose members would fight each other, even physically. We’ve never done that. We’ve had our spats, because that’s what happens within all bands, but never to the point where we lost our self-respect. We’ve been through a lot with each other, more than a lot of bands that I’ve seen. And we’ve stood together through that. You can’t be in a band and stand the test of time for 24 years without going through trials and tribulations. We’ve got a story, and that story has bonded us together. We’re still here touring and making music. That’s what’s important. Making music as a band and expressing yourself comes with experience as well. Those experiences bleed into your new music, because it’s what you write about. You want to tell a story because your story is so big. But, it all starts with respect and love [for each other]. If you don’t have that, I don’t think you’ve got a band. An aspect that is often discussed within bands is how each member is able to shine within the group. Do you find yourselves discussing that? Lee: We’ve worked on [projects] separately, but this band has its own identity. We’re always going to come back to it because this is where we started. I don’t like [working] on solo [projects] because I’m so used to looking around and seeing my boys next to me. I don’t like doing anything apart from making music with this band. That doesn’t mean that I don’t do that. Duncan: Blue is home. It’s like the house your parents live in; it will always be called home. Being in this industry for as long as we have been, I don’t like being away from home for too long because I have insecurities, and suffer from paranoia. I like being with these guys because I feel safe. Given that you have been creating new music again, how do you believe your music has evolved in the recent past? Anthony: You progress naturally and look out for the kind of music that is doing well. We don’t emulate that, but we keep it [contemporary]. Our music had a lot of anthemic choruses, like you’ll hear in One love, and Fly by. So, we retain that because that’s what we’ve been known for. Lee: When we write, we think about what will sound good on stage, because we’re a gigging band. Even to this day, we put music out as we tour. When we get in the studio, we’re always thinking about our gigs, and those [ideas] are reflected in our music. What would you say has been one of the most defining moments for your band?Anthony: A standout point for us was winning the Best Newcomer title at the Brits Awards in 2002. Back then, we were just a band that was making cool music. But none of us knew that we would win anything. That moment brought Blue [a lot of recognition across the world]. It showed people that we were here to stay. Duncan: Getting nods from people like Elton John and Stevie Wonder, [who said] they wanted to work with us, [was another highlight]. They were well-known legends who had sold millions of records worldwide. They agreed to not just work with us, but be in a music video with us as well. To be seen standing next to them was a massive nod of respect. We have had the pleasure of working with a lot of legends, like Lionel Richie, and Sir Tom Jones. We never worked with other people who were on the same level as us on the music charts. Maybe we could do a collaboration with an Indian artiste.
06 May,2024 07:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonia LullaBernard Hill, the esteemed British actor whose compelling performances graced some of the most iconic films of recent decades, including 'Titanic' and 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, has died at the age of 79. Actor and singer Barbara Dickson confirmed the news on X by sharing a black and white picture of herself with the late actor and wrote, "It's with great sadness that I note the death of Bernard Hill. We worked together in John Paul George Ringo and Bert, Willy Russell marvellous show 1974-1975. A really marvellous actor. It was a privilege to have crossed paths with him. RIP Benny x #bernardhill". Born in Manchester, England, Hill rose to prominence with his portrayal of Yosser Hughes in the acclaimed BBC TV drama 'Boys from the Blackstuff.' His depiction of Hughes, a proud yet desperate man grappling with unemployment in 'Liverpool' during the early 1980s, earned him widespread recognition for his exceptional acting skills. However, it was Hill's roles in two monumental blockbusters that solidified his status as a household name. In James Cameron's 'Titanic' (1997), he portrayed Captain Edward Smith, the stoic yet tragic commander of the ill-fated RMS Titanic. His performance added depth to the historical figure, capturing both the nobility and the tragic oversight of the captain. Similarly, in Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, Hill portrayed King Theoden of Rohan. His portrayal of the manipulated monarch's transformation into a courageous leader resonated with audiences, particularly in memorable battle scenes like the Battle of Helm's Deep. Throughout his career, Hill displayed versatility across various genres and platforms, showcasing his dedication to the craft of acting. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 May,2024 09:30 PM IST | Los Angeles | ANIMadonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach on Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans. It was the last show of The Celebration Tour, her first retrospective, which kicked off in October in London. The ‘Queen of Pop’ began the show with her 1998 hit ‘Nothing Really Matters.’ Huge cheers rose from the buzzing, tightly packed crowd, pressed up against the barriers. 2 million people singing madonna’ ‘like a virgin’ in rio pic.twitter.com/tvNjxfLmCY — 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) May 5, 2024 Others held house parties in brightly lighted apartments and hotels overlooking the beachfront. Helicopters and drones flew overhead, and motorboats and sailboats anchored off the beach filled the bay. “Here we are in the most beautiful place in the world,” Madonna, 65, told the crowd. Pointing out the ocean view, the mountains and the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking the city, she added: “This place is magic." Madonna performed her classic hits, including ‘Like A Virgin’ and ‘Hung Up.’ For the introduction to ‘Like A Prayer,’ her head was completely covered in a black cape, a rosary gripped in her hands. The star paid an emotional tribute to ‘all the bright lights’ lost to AIDS as she sang ‘Live to Tell,’ with black and white photos of people who died from the illness flashing behind her. Later, she was joined on stage by Brazilian artists Anitta and Pabllo Vittar. Rio spent the last few days readying itself for the performance. An estimated 1.6 million people attended the show, G1 reported, citing Rio City Hall's tourism agency. That is more than 10 times Madonna's record attendance of 130,000 at Paris' Parc des Sceaux in 1987. Madonna's official website hyped the show as the biggest ever in her four-decade career. In recent days, the buzz was palpable. Fans milled outside the stately, beachfront Copacabana Palace hotel, where Madonna is staying, hoping to catch a glimpse of the pop star. During the sound check on the stage set up in front of the hotel, they danced on the sand. By midday Saturday, fans crowded in front of the hotel. A white-bearded man carried a sign saying, “Welcome Madonna you are the best I love you” Flags with “Madonna” printed against a background of Copacabana's iconic black and white waved sidewalk pattern hung from balconies. The area was packed with street vendors and concert attendees kitted out in themed T-shirts, sweating under a baking sun. “Since Madonna arrived here, I've been coming every day with this outfit to welcome my idol, my diva, my pop queen,” said Rosemary de Oliveira Bohrer, 69, who sported a gold-coloured cone bra and a black cap. “It's going to be an unforgettable show here in Copacabana,” said Oliveira Bohrer, a retired civil servant who lives in the area. Eighteen sound towers were spread along the beach to ensure that all attendees can hear the hits. Her two-hour show started at 10.37 p.m. local time, nearly 50 minutes behind schedule. City Hall produced a report in April estimating that the concert would inject 293 million reals (USD 57 million) into the local economy. Hotel capacity was expected to reach 98 per cent in Copacabana, according to Rio's hotel association. Fans hailing from across Brazil and even Argentina and France sought out Airbnbs for the weekend, the platform said in a statement. Rio's international airport had forecast an extra 170 flights during May 1-6, from 27 destinations, City Hall said in a statement. “It's a unique opportunity to see Madonna, who knows if she'll ever come back,” said Alessandro Augusto, 53, who flew in from Brazil's Ceara state, approximately 2,500 km (1,555 miles) from Rio. “Welcome Queen!” read Heineken ads plastered around the city, the lettering above an image of an upturned bottle cap resembling a crown. Heineken wasn't the only company seeking to profit from the excitement. Bars and restaurants prepared ¿Like a Virgin¿ cocktails. A shop in the downtown neighborhood famed for selling Carnival attire completely reinvented itself, stocking its shelves with Madonna-themed costumes, fans, fanny packs and even underwear. Organisation of the mega-event was similar to New Year's Eve, when millions of people gather on Copacabana for its fireworks display, local authorities said. That annual event often produces widespread thefts and muggings, and there was some concern such problems might occur at Madonna's show. Rio state's security plan included the presence of 3,200 military personnel and 1,500 civilian police officers on stand by. In the lead-up to the concert, Brazil's navy inspected vessels that wished to position themselves offshore to follow the show. A number of huge concerts have taken place on Copacabana beach before, including a 1994 New Year's Eve show by Rod Stewart that drew more than 4 million fans and was the biggest free rock concert in history, according to Guinness World Records. Many of those spectators also came to see Rio's fireworks show, though, so a more fitting comparison might be to the Rolling Stones in 2006, which saw 1.2 million people crowd onto the sand, according to Rio's military police, the newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo reported at the time. Ana Beatriz Soares, a fan who was at Copacabana on Saturday, said Madonna has made her mark across the decades. “Madonna had to run so that today's pop artists could walk. That's why she's important because she serves as an inspiration for today's pop divas," Soares said. "And that's 40 years ago. Not 40 days, 40 months. It's 40 years,” she said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 May,2024 12:26 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIADVERTISEMENT
