Zoe Saldaña’s “Special Ops: Lioness” Touted as Paramount+’s Most-Watched Global Series Premiere in Its First 24 Hours

Zoe Saldaña is celebrating a special accomplishment…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American actress’ latest project, Special Ops: Lioness, is a streaming sensation.

Zoe Saldaña, Special Ops: Lioness,The espionage thriller from Taylor Sheridan premiered with two episodes on Paramount+ on July 23, and Paramount Global is now touting it as the streamer’s most-watched global series premiere in its first 24 hours, topping a previous record set by Halo in March 2022.

In addition to debuting on Paramount+, the first two episodes also aired on Paramount Network across the last two weekends. The first episode debuted on July 23 to coincide with the series’ streaming debut, and Episode 2 aired on July 30. The remaining episodes will only be available on Paramount+.

After three days of delayed viewing, Episode 1 scored a combined audience of nearly 6M across viewing on Paramount+ globally and linear viewing on Paramount Network in the U.S., according to Paramount Global.

(For reference, Samba TV reported that 918,000 U.S. households watched Episode 1 on Paramount+ on release day, while 218,000 watched Episode 2.)

“On one of the most competitive weeks of the year, Special Ops: Lioness scored as the No. 1 new scripted series of the year on cable and one of the highest performers of all time on Paramount+,” said Chris McCarthy, President/CEO, Paramount Media Networks & Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios. “Brilliantly created by Taylor Sheridan and brought to life by our stellar cast, this heart-pounding thriller inspired by real-life events clearly struck a chord with a huge audience.”

Added Domenic DiMeglio, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Paramount Streaming: “The strong viewer reception for Special Ops: Lioness reflects the power of Paramount across the board in creating, producing, marketing and delivering this incredible Taylor Sheridan drama with broad global appeal. We can’t wait for viewers to come along with us on this high stakes thrill ride.”

On the Paramount Network, Special Ops: Lioness followed Paramount Network and CMT’s airing of the Paramount+ original series 1883, which drummed up 2.2M viewers — a season high for that Taylor Sheridan series.

Inspired by an actual U.S. military program, the new Sheridan drama follows Joe (Saldaña) as she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA’s spear in the war on terror. The Lioness Program, overseen by Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman) and Byron Westfield (Michael Kelly), enlists an aggressive Marine Raider named Cruz (Laysla De Oliveira) to operate undercover alongside Joe among the power brokers of state terrorism in the CIA’s efforts to thwart the next 9/11.

Special Ops: Lioness also stars Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton, Stephanie Nur and Hannah Love Lanier. The series is executive produced by Sheridan, David C. Glasser, Saldaña, Kidman, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin, Wagner, Geyer Kosinski, Michael Malone and John Hillcoat.

It’s produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios for Paramount+. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of Paramount+ markets.

“We are thrilled audiences have discovered the power of Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman & Laysla De Oliveira,” said David C. Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios.  “These three incredible actors delivered and make Lioness an action packed, dramatic, joy-ride week after week.”

Selena Gomez & Charlie Puth’s “We Don’t Talk Anymore” Hits 3 Billion Views on YouTube

It appears people are still talking about Selena Gomez’s Charlie Puth collaboration…

The music video for the 30-year-old Mexican American singer/actress and Puth’s 2016 duet, “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” has surpassed 3 billion views on YouTube.

Selena GomezThe duet served as the third radio single from Puth’s 2016 debut album, Nine Track Mind, which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. In December 2018, just a little more than two years after the music video’s release, “We Don’t Talk Anymore” crossed the 2 billion-view mark on YouTube.

Helmed by Phil Pinto, the video tracks Puth and a former lover as they work through living without each other in New York City. The protagonists cycle through concerts, parties and dates with other people, but they simply cannot forget each other. Nonetheless, they never take the leap to reach out to one another, hence the song’s title.

Other notable music videos that have reached the 3-billion milestone include Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off,” Justin Bieber’s “Sorry,” Katy Perry’s “Roar” and Puth’s own “See You Again” (with Wiz Khalifa), which has clocked more than 5.9 billion views to date.

Puth has earned four top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Attention” (No. 5) and “We Don’t Talk Anymore” (No. 9). On the Billboard 200, the acclaimed singer-songwriter has earned three consecutive top 10 albums.

Gomez has earned nine top 10 hits on the Hot 100, including her sole chart-topper, 2019’s “Lose You to Love Me.” Rare, Gomez’s third solo studio album, was the first album released in the 2020s to top the Billboard 200.

Gomez is currently enjoying the success of one of the year’s biggest songs, her remix of Rema’s “Calm Down.”

J Balvin & Bad Bunny Tie Ozuna for Top Spot on YouTube’s Billion Views Club with ““Si Tu Novio Te Deja Sola” Collab

It’s Lucky No. 13 for J Balvin and Bad Bunny

The 38-year-old Colombian urbano singer/songwriter and the 29-year-old Puerto Rican superstar have each notched their 13th video entry in YouTube’s Billion Views Club, according to the video platform.

J Balvin & Bad BunnyBalvin and Bad Bunny have now tied the record Ozuna previously held on his own.

All three reggaeton acts have become the artists with the most entries in the Billion Views Club as lead, featured artist or collaborator.

Balvin and Bad Bunny achieved the milestone with their 2017 collaborative effort “Si Tu Novio Te Deja Sola,” a tropical, groovy, trap fusion with cheeky lyrics that put Bad Bunny on the radar. The vibrant music video, filmed in the captivating landscapes of Puerto Rico, was uploaded to YouTube on March 3, 2017.

In 2022, J Balvin reclaimed his crown after his Black Eyed Peas-assisted “Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)” video entered the club. He broke the tie he had with Justin Bieber, who currently has 11 titles with more than a billion views.

Earlier this year, however, Ozuna nabbed the crown notching two new entries with “Síguelo Bailando” and “Diles.” The latter — a collaboration with Bad Bunny, Farruko, Árcangel and Ñengo Flow, also became Bad Bunny’s 12th entry in the Billion Views Club.

Ozuna’s next video to hit one billion views will likely be “El Farsante” (977 million views as of press time). Balvin’s next contender is “Say My Name” with David Guetta and Bebe Rexha (982 million views). Bad Bunny’s next potential clip to reach the milestone viewership number is his feature on Nacho and Yandel’s “Bailame Remix” (975 million views).

With the new entry into the Billion Views Club, Balvin is now at No. 37 on YouTube’s Global Top Artists chart, whereas Bad Bunny lands at No. 6.

Christina Aguilera Wins First-Ever Webby Award for “Beautiful (2022 Version)”

Christina Aguilera is celebrating a beautiful win…

The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS) has revealed the winners of the 27th Annual Webby Awards, with the 42-year-old half-Ecuadorian among the honorees.

Christina AguileraAguilera won the Webby Award for Music Video, General Video (Video) category for the new music video for her hit single “Beautiful.” “Beautiful (2022 Version)” was released to celebrate the 20-year-old anniversary of her Stripped album.

It’s Aguilera’s first-ever Webby Awards win.

 

Other winners include SZA as Artist of the Year, Tracee Ellis Ross with a Special Achievement Award and Sharon Horgan as Best Actress.

Barack ObamaLizzo, Doja Cat, Blackpink, Hugh Jackman, Jimmy Kimmel, Hoda Kotb, Trixie Mattel, Serena Williams, the cast of Stranger Things and the cast of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever were also among the award recipients.

“This year’s Webby Winners speak to the incredible potential of the Internet and the people who shape it,” Claire Graves, president of The Webby Awards, said in a statement. “They have set the benchmark for excellence in their respective category and are an inspiration for us all to continue striving towards a more connected and creative digital world.”

Roy Wood Jr. will host the Webby Awards ceremony set to take place on Monday, May 15 at the Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.

Special Achievement Winners

Webby Lifetime Achievement Award: Shigetaka Kurita, the creator of the emoji, for his significant contribution to the worldwide cultural zeitgeist and impact on the way we communicate.

Webby Breakout of The Year Award: ChatGPT, the game-changing, generative AI writing tool that created a digital phenomenon that’s changing the way we work and create.

Webby Artist of The Year: SZA for the instant classic SOS, the true intention and consideration she injects into her work, and for her ingenious use of the Internet to share unique, brilliantly honest art.

Webby Special Achievement Award: Tracee Ellis Ross for her ingenious use of the Internet to share multidimensional stories of belonging, increase Black representation in the beauty industry, and serve as a constant, positive force.

Webby Podcast of The YearSmartLess, honoring Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett for bringing nostalgia and laughter to listeners on their podcast SmartLess.

Webby Best Actress: Sharon Horgan for capturing the Internet’s attention with her acclaimed Apple TV+ show Bad Sisters, which she created, executive produced and stars in, as well as for her incredible career in comedy as a voice of radical self-awareness and razor-sharp wit.

Webby Special Achievement Award: Tobe Nwigwe for his innovative use of the Internet to create art that is imaginative and poignant as seen in his album moMINTS and his role as ‘Nick’ in the Netflix series Mo.

Webby Special Achievement AwardUnder the Desk News for making the news accessible and understandable to young people through their candid, hard-hitting and synoptic reporting, all done in bite-sized pieces on Tik Tok.

2023 Winner Highlights

  • Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty Show Vol. 4 won the Webby People’s Voice Award for Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle, Branded Entertainment (Video)
  • The Daily Show with Trevor Noah– “America’s Door Problem” won the Webby Award for Comedy, General Video (Video)
  • Recess Therapy’s “It’s Corn” won the Webby People’s Voice Award for Video Remixes/Mashups, General Video (Video)
  • Trixie Mattel Transforms Into Dr. Manhattan won the Webby People’s Voice Award for Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle, General Video (Video)
  • Christina Aguilera – Beautiful (2022 Version) won the Webby Award for Music Video, General Video (Video)
  • Discord won the Webby Award for Community, General Websites and Mobile Sites, (Websites and Mobile Sites)
  • Spotify’s 2022 Wrapped won the Webby Award for Best Mobile Visual Design – Aesthetic, Mobile Specific Features & Design (Websites and Mobile Sites)
  • Google Store won the Webby Award for Best Mobile User Experience, Mobile Specific Features & Design (Websites and Mobile Sites)
  • Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez won the Webby Award for Fashion & Beauty, General Social (Social)
  • Doja Cat x Taco Bell: A “Contractual” Partnership won the Webby Award for Best Influencer or Creator Endorsement, Features (Social)
  • My BTS Story won the Webby Award for Best Community Engagement, Features (Social)
  • LIZZO’S BIG GIRLS | Womxn’s History Month | Animated Social Video won the Webby Award for Arts & Entertainment, Social Video (Social)
  • Disney’s TikTok won the Webby Award for Entertainment, General Social (Social)
  • HBO Max’s “Negroni Sbagliato” won the Webby Award for Best Use of Video, Features (Social)
  • PinkVenomChallenge – YouTube Shorts x BLACKPINK won the Webby People’s Voice Award for Best Partnership or Collaboration, Features (Social)
  • Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever won the Webby Award for TV, Film & Entertainment, Social Content Series (Social)
  • Pod Save AmericaObama’s Advice For Democrats won the Webby Award for Featured Guest, Individual Episodes (Podcasts)
  • ESPN’s 30 for 30 Podcasts won the Webby Award for Sports, General Series (Podcasts)
  • FIFA 23 x TED LASSO won the Webby Award for In-Game Integration, Individual (Advertising, Media & PR)
  • Netflix Stranger Things Global Rift Takeover won the Webby Award for Experience Marketing, Individual (Advertising, Media & PR)
  • The Coors Light featuring Patrick Mahomes won the Webby Award for Best Partnership or Collaboration, Advertising Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
  • Steak-umm Beef Sheets featuring Jimmy Kimmel won the Webby Award for Digital Campaign, Advertising Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
  • The Apple TV app won the Webby Award for Best Streaming or OTT Service, App Features (Apps, dApps and Software)
  • Never Done Evolving featuring Serena Williams won the Webby Award for Technical Achievement, Virtual Video Features (Metaverse, Immersive & Virtual)

For the complete list of winners check the website here.

Webby Winners are selected by the IADAS. Members include Questlove, DJ and Producer; Tan France, Fashion Designer, Television Personality & Author; Natalie Guzman, Co-President & CMO, Savage X Fenty; Werner Vogels CTO, Amazon; Roxanne Gay, Host, The Roxanne Gay Agenda; Quinta Brunson, Writer, Director and Actor; Ziwe Fumudoh, Comedian and Writer; Reshma Saujani, Founder, Girls Who Code; LeVar Burton, Actor, Podcaster and TV Host; Takashi Murakami, Artist; Samantha Bee, Comedian; and Tracy Chou, Founder & CEO, Block Party.

Alexia Nepola & Marysol Patton to Launch New Podcast Called “Ay Por Favor”

Alexia Nepola and Marysol Patton are teaming up for a new podcast…

The 55-year-old Cuban television personality and her 56-year-old Cuban The Real Housewives of Miami costar, who have unmatched chemistry as besties on reality series, are launching a new podcast called Ay Por Favor that is set to drop starting April 18.

Alexia Nepola & Marysol Patton“Get ready because we are bringing the heat from hot topics, celeb gossip and more,” Patton is heard in the trailer for the podcast. “I’m so excited to bring our personal phone gossip that we’ve been doing for 23 years.”

Nepola added, “Yes, we’ve been chismeando for 23 years and it’s so much fun and we hope that you guys are tuning in with us and are ready to laugh.”

Spanglish is going to be part of the podcast with Nepola saying, “this is who we are and this is what we do.”

“By the end of you listening and tuning in with us, you’ll be able to say, Ay, por favor!” they both said in unison.

Ay Por Favor is a phrase both Nepola and Patton drop on RHOM when they don’t agree with their fellow housewives. With both stars being from Cuba, mixing Spanish and English while speaking comes naturally and will differentiate them from other podcasts out there now.

Nepola and Patton have the gift of gab and now join the podcast world like The Real Housewives of Potomac stars Robyn Dixon and Gizelle Bryant who host Reasonably Shady.

The dynamic duo are fan favorites and recently starred in the Peacock spinoff The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Season 3 where they traveled to Thailand with fellow housewives from other franchises.

Ay Por Favor is part of the My Cultura Podcast Network and iHeartMedia.

Selena Gomez’s “Lose You to Love Me” Becomes Her First Solo Single to Surpass One Billion Spotify Listens

Selena Gomez has a billion reasons to smile…

The 30-year-old Mexican American singer’s blockbuster 2019 single “Lose You to Love Me” has surpassed a billion Spotify listens, a milestone she celebrated on Instagram on Wednesday (March 22).

Selena GomezIt’s Gomez’s first billion streams track as a solo artist and fourth total.

The streaming service announced the news on social media, tweeting, “All the love for @selenagomez ❤️ Congratulations for 1 Billion streams on Lose You to Love Me #BillionsClub.”

Spotify also posted about the landmark on Instagram, which the “Calm Down” singer re-shared on her IG Story.

“Grateful,” she wrote, adding a heart emoji.

Gomez’ previous entries include collaborations on “It Ain’t Me” with Kygo, “Wolves” with Marshmello and “Taki Taki” with DJ Snake, Ozuna and Cardi B.

Released as the lead single off the Only Murders in the Building star’s third studio album, Rare, “Lose You to Love Me” marked Gomez’s first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It was a streaming powerhouse from the very beginning, becoming the singer’s first song to top Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart shortly after its release.

“When I wrote the song ‘Lose You to Love Me,’ I was kind of a mess,” she told Billboard in early 2020. “It was really difficult for me. And by the time we shot the music video at the end of the year, it had a completely different meaning, and it was so freeing. It was actually fun for me – I think, because I let it go, it actually meant that I let it go within myself as well. And I couldn’t have asked for a better way to close a chapter in my life.”

Selena Gomez Becomes First Woman to Surpass 400 Million Followers on Instagram

Selena Gomez is the Queen of Instagram 

The 30-year-old Mexican American actress/singer has officially become the first woman on the social media platform to surpass 400 million followers, reaching the milestone on Friday, March 17.

Selena GomezLess than a month ago, when she reached 381 million followers, the Only Murders in the Building star passed Kylie Jenner as the most-followed women on Instagram

While Gomez is the most-followed woman on the platform, soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo is the most-followed person in general with 562 million followers. Another soccer superstar, Lionel Messi, follows with 442 million.

Gomez’s most recent post was a stunning makeup-free selfie with the simple caption, Violet Chemistry,” which is a track title from Miley Cyrus’ freshly released eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation.

The “Lose You to Love Me” singer returned to personally posting on her Instagram page in January, more than four years after she deleted the app from her phone and gave posting rights to a member of her team due to her unhealthy relationship with the platform.

“At one point Instagram became my whole world, and it was really dangerous. In my early 20s, I felt like I wasn’t pretty enough. There was a whole period in my life when I thought I needed makeup and never wanted to be seen without it,” she previously told InStyle.

Mariah Carey’s Music to Be Featured as Part of Apple Fitness+’s ‘Artist Spotlight’ Workout Series

Ready to get fit with Mariah Carey?

Apple Fitness+ has added the music of the 52-year-old half-Venezuelan Grammy-winning singer to its newly added workouts.

Mariah CareyIn honor of Women’s History Month, Carey, Miley Cyrus and Shania Twain will be highlighted as part of the program’s Artist Spotlight series, which dedicates an entire set of workouts to a single artist and their discography.

Starting Monday, March 6, Fitness+ users can pedal to the beat of the “Flowers” singer’s music in a cycling workout, return to heart center when it’s a wrap on the Carey-inspired yoga workout and feel like a powerful woman post-strength workout featuring Twain’s tunes.

New workouts will roll out every Monday throughout the month of March.

The Lambily will need to stretch as far and wide as Mimi’s vocal range — which spans across five octaves and goes all the way up to those whistle tones we all try reaching when belting out her 1991 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 smash “Emotions” — ahead of her cycling, dance, HIIT and yoga workouts.

“You’ve got to make working out fun, do what you love, so it feels like burning energy instead of a job! I hear lots of people like listening to my music in the gym and it makes me so happy – it means it’s energetic and inspirational,” Twain said in a press statement. “That’s why I’m so excited for this Artist Spotlight series on Fitness+. So Giddy Up! And do what makes you happy!”

Other musicians who’ve had sets of Apple Fitness+ workouts dedicated to them include Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, BTS, Billie Eilish, Jennifer Lopez, Pharrell Williams, Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd, ABBA, Prince, Shakira, The Beatles, Nicki Minaj and many more.

According to the Apple Fitness+ website, anyone who purchases a new iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or Apple TV (and hasn’t previously subscribed to Apple Fitness+) will have free access to Apple Fitness+ for three months before paying $9.99 monthly, or $79.99 annually. New subscribers who already have the aforementioned Apple products can get free access to Apple Fitness+ for one month. Apple Fitness+ can be shared with up to five family members.

Bad Bunny’s Likeness Featured in “WWE 2K23, the Newest Installment of WWE Video Game Franchise

Bad Bunny is getting in the game…

This week, video game company 2K released a first look at the 28-year-old Puerto Rican superstar in WWE 2K23, the newest installment of the WWE video game franchise.

Bad Bunny

From hitting the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania rings in 2021 to becoming a virtual playable character, Bad Bunny is seen flaunting his wrestling skills in a new 40-second trailer.

This is the first time the artist has appeared in the game.

WWE 2K23 is the newest installment of the flagship WWE video game franchise developed by Visual Concepts.

It will be coming soon for PlayStation 5 (PS5), PlayStation 4 (PS4™), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.

Bad Bunny’s “Soy Peor” Music Video Becomes His 10th Video to Make YouTube’s One Billion Views Club

It’s a perfect 10 for Bad Bunny. 

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican superstar has scored his tenth music video to hit one billion views on YouTube.

Bad BunnyOne of Bunny’s earliest hits, the 2016 trap anthem “Soy Peor,” was one of the songs that helped put him on the map. The track — produced by the artist himself — peaked at No. 19 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart.

The official visual for the song is Bunny’s tenth video as lead, featured artist, or collaborator to achieve this milestone.

Elsewhere on YouTube, the chart-topping artist also has presence on the platform’s U.S. Top Songs chart thanks to the swooning “Ojitos Lindos” video, which rises to No. 25 as “Titi Me Preguntó” takes No. 4 and his collaboration with Arcángel La Jumpa” comes in at No. 81.

Bad Bunny takes No. 2 on U.S. Top Artists and No. 5 on Global Top Artists.

Since “Soy Peor,” Bunny has catapulted to global success with albums YHLQMDLG, Las Que No Iban a SalirEl Último Tour del Mundo and Un Verano Sin Ti.

The latter two of those debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making him the only artist to top the tally with a Spanish-language album — not once, but twice.

Most recently, Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti won the IFPI Global Album Award, becoming the first Latin artist to ever win an IFPI global award, according to the organization. The set spent a total of 13 non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 and became the first Spanish-language album to be nominated for album of the year at the Grammy Awards.