Connect with us

Published

on

Donald Trump will be sworn in as US president on 20 January in Washington DC, to being his second stint in the biggest job in politics.

A national holiday thanks to the fact it coincides with Martin Luther King Jr Day, spectators can expect an event full of pomp, pageantry and entertainment.

Donald Trump and his family walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House
Image:
Donald Trump and his family on inauguration day in 2017

Back at his first inauguration in 2017, Mr Trump appeared to struggle to rustle up celebrity attendees – so who might we see turn up second time around?

Political figures and world leaders

Outgoing president Joe Biden, 82, will attend his successor’s inauguration. It was a pleasantry not performed by Mr Trump during Mr Biden’s inauguration in 2020, which Mr Trump – who claimed the election had been stolen from him – chose to skip.

It’s also traditional for all living former presidents to attend the inauguration, so Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton are all likely to attend. Former first lady, Michelle Obama, however, will not be attending.

Mr Trump has also invited world leaders this year for the first time.

Mr Trump’s new efficiency tsar and the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, is attending the event and reportedly will be seated alongside fellow billionaires Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has confirmed his attendance, and says he hopes to “mend any broken fences” with Mr Musk after a recent social media spat between the two.

Nigel Farage and Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy with Elon Musk. Pic: PA
Image:
Elon Musk and Nigel Farage have ‘fences to mend’ following a row on X. Pic: PA

Official acts

The Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee kept its cards close to its chest until just a few days before the inauguration.

Musical performances are a staple of the event, with a marching band, and various inauguration galas throughout the evening. Stars including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and John Legend have been part of past shows for previous presidents.

This year’s acts have a distinctly Country flavour, with big names including Billy Ray Cyrus and Kid Rock – both of whom endorsed Mr Trump at the 2024 election.

Kid Rock speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at the National Guard Association of the United States' 146th General Conference, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Image:
Kid Rock speaking ahead of Donald Trump at the National Guard Association Conference in August. Pic: AP

Rock, 53, whose real name is Robert James Richie, has been a vocal supporter of the Republican Party and the president-elect for many years.

He previously sang ahead of Mr Trump’s speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention in July and joined Mr Trump’s entourage at Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in November.

Billy Ray Cyrus. Pic: AP
Image:
Billy Ray Cyrus. Pic: AP

Rock will join country singer Cyrus, 63, who is the father of pop star Miley Cyrus – a vocal critic of Mr Trump – at the Make America Great Again Rally at Capital One Arena in Washington on Sunday, along with a choir from Liberty University, which is a private evangelical Christian school in Virginia.

Alongside being Miley’s dad, Billy Ray is most famous for his 1990s country hit Achy Breaky Heart.

Jason Aldean speaking at a Republican rally in October. Pic: AP
Image:
Jason Aldean speaking at a Republican rally in October. Pic: AP

They will be joined by country singer Jason Aldean, singer and saxophonist Lee Greenwood and The Village People at The Liberty Ball on Monday night, along with a “surprise musical guest”.

Aldean, 47, is a five-time Grammy nominee and the performer of the controversial country song Try That In A Small Town, which he dedicated to Mr Trump after the attempt on his life in July.

Greenwood sang God Bless The USA at the inauguration eight years ago and was a staple at Trump campaign rallies last year. He has said he’s “excited” to sing for his “friend” Mr Trump “yet again”.

Meanwhile, country group Rascal Flatts will be at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, focused on military service members, with Texas-based singer-songwriter Parker McCollum.

Rascal Flatts frontman Gary LeVox wrote on Instagram that he was “happy and humbled and grateful for the opportunity”. LeVox played at Mr Trump’s first inauguration and promised it will be a “night to remember”, thanking South Dakota governor Kristi Noem in his post.

The Starlight Ball, which focuses on high-worth donors, will feature a performance from Gavin DeGraw, a singer-songwriter best known for the song I Don’t Want To Be, which was used as the theme song for the TV show One Tree Hill.

Carrie Underwood performing in Times Square on New Year's Eve. Pic: AP
Image:
Carrie Underwood performing in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Pic: AP

Previously confirmed acts include American Idol star Carrie Underwood who is arguably the biggest name on the bill.

The eight-time Grammy winner will sing America The Beautiful alongside the Armed Forces Choir and the US Naval Academy Glee Club shortly before Mr Trump takes the oath of office.

Commenting on her part in the day, Underwood said in a statement: “I love our country and am honoured to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event”. The 41-year-old singer has previously kept her political views private.

Classical singer Christopher Macchio will sing Oh, America! before the vice-presidential oath of office with JD Vance, and will close the ceremony with a rendition of the American National Anthem.

Victor Willis and the Village People perform during the Festival d'ete de Quebec in July 2019. Pic: AP
Image:
Victor Willis and the Village People perform during the Festival d’ete de Quebec in July 2019. Pic: AP

Victor Willis, frontman of the Village People, previously announced the band had accepted an invitation to perform at the inauguration, telling their fans in a post on Facebook: “We know this won’t make some of you happy to hear, however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics.

“Our song Y.M.C.A. is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost,” he added.

“Therefore, we believe it’s now time to bring the country together with music, which is why Village People will be performing at various events as part of the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J Trump.”

Willis last month defended Mr Trump’s use of Y.M.C.A. at campaign rallies and denied that the song is a “gay anthem”.

The 1978 disco hit spiked in listenership in November after it secured a spot on Mr Trump’s campaign playlist, according to Sky News’ US partner, NBC News.

Mary Millben singing on the first day of the Republican National Convention. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Mary Millben on the first day of the Republican National Convention. Pic: Reuters

Who else could be there?

Actor Jon Voight, who was recently appointed as “a special envoy” to Hollywood following the California wildfires and who is a vocal supporter of Mr Trump, spoke at his last inauguration – so it seems possible we could see a repeat performance.

And singer Mary Millben sang the national anthem at both Mr Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally and the Republican National Convention back in July.

One wildcard potential guest could be Kanye West, who has been a vocal supporter of Mr Trump in the past, and who met with him in the Oval Office back in 2018.

When asked earlier this year if he would be voting Republican, West told reporters: “Yeah, of course. It’s Trump all day.”

Jackie Evancho singing at Mr Trump's first inauguration in 2017
Image:
Jackie Evancho singing at Mr Trump’s first inauguration in 2017

Who performed at Trump’s last inauguration?

Classical singer Jackie Evancho, a former America’s Got Talent contestant, sang the national anthem at Mr Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, calling it a “huge honour” to perform for the president.

But the young star, who has a transgender sister, did later say she was “disappointed” by Mr Trump’s decision to roll back on transgender rights.

Meanwhile, country singer Toby Keith was arguably the biggest name on the bill the first time around. He died from stomach cancer last February.

Other acts who performed in 2017 include The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, rock band 3 Doors Down, DJ Ravidrums and musical group The Piano Guys.

Prime-time TV show?

In 2021, Joe Biden’s inauguration included a prime-time inauguration day TV programme hosted by Tom Hanks.

Celebrating America featured performances from acts including Bruce Springsteen, Katy Perry and Justin Timberlake.

It’s not known if a similar programme will be aired following Mr Trump’s inauguration this year.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Oscars 2025: Anora sweeps the Academy Awards with five awards including best picture

Published

on

By

Oscars 2025: Anora sweeps the Academy Awards with five awards including best picture

Anora has dominated the Academy Awards, winning five gongs including best picture.

The film’s star, Mikey Madison, who plays a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, took home the best actress award – a win that was not a total upset, but many had expected Demi Moore to scoop the prize for her performance in The Substance.

Anora filmmaker Sean Baker was named best director, and used his acceptance speech to make a plea for audiences to support cinemas, which he said were “a vital part of our culture” and at risk of being lost.

Both also thanked sex workers who consulted on the film, saying they could never have made it without them.

Read more on the Oscars:
Oscars live: All the latest reaction to the awards
Oscars red carpet 2025: All the best looks
Full list of all the Oscar winning films and stars

Anora also won the Oscars for best original screenplay and best editing. Winning all four awards he was up for, Baker tied with Walt Disney’s record for the most Oscar wins by a single person in a single night – although Disney won his awards for multiple works, rather than a single film as Baker has done.

Adrien Brody won the best actor Oscar for playing Hungarian architect Lazlo Toth in architectural epic The Brutalist.

It was his second Academy Award win in the category some 22 years after his first, for The Pianist back in 2003.

Adrien Brody wouldn't be moved from the stage, despite music urging him to move on. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Adrien Brody won the best actor award – his second Oscar – for his performance in The Brutalist. Pic: Reuters

Accepting his award in a lengthy speech, he paid tribute to his partner Georgina Chapman, who he said had “re-invigorated” his “self-worth” and “sense of value”.

Best cinematography also went to The Brutalist directror Brady Corbet’s three-and-a-half-hour epic, which also took home the prize for best original score.

Papal thriller Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes, took just one award, for best adapted screenplay.

Kieran Culkin won best supporting actor. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Kieran Culkin won best supporting actor. Pic: Reuters

Kieran Culkin took the first award of the night, best supporting actor, for his role in comedy drama A Real Pain, while the best supporting actress prize was won by Emilia Perez star Zoe Saldana, her first Oscar win and nomination.

One of the highest-grossing actresses ever, she cried out “Mommy, mommy”, on stage, explaining her entire family was there with her. She became tearful at the end of her speech as she spoke of being “a proud child of immigrant parents”.

Zoe Saldana became emotional as she accepted her award. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Zoe Saldana was named best actress. Pic: Reuters

Announced by Mick Jagger, best song went to Emilia Perez’s El Mal (which translates as “Evil”), while the prize for costume design went to Wicked’s Paul Tazewell – who became the first black man to receive the award. The Wizard Of Oz prequel also won best production design.

Brazilian director Walter Salles won best international feature for Portuguese-language film I’m Still Here, set in the 1970s in the midst of the Brazil’s brutal military dictatorship.

A word-of-mouth hit, the film’s Brazilian star Fernanda Torres has gone from a relative unknown to a much-talked-about actress in the US in the last few months.

Fernanda Torres poses on the red carpet during the Oscars arrivals at the 97th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 2, 2025. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
Image:
Star of I’m Still Here, Fernanda Torres. Pic: Reuters

Make-up and hairstyling was awarded to body horror The Substance, a film which showcased extreme prosthetics, make-up and gore throughout. It was the film’s only win of the night.

The documentary categories went to The Only Girl In The Orchestra and No Other Land – made by a Palestinian-Israeli collective – for short film and feature film respectively.

Accepting the prize, it’s makers Basel Dra and Yuval Abraham made a political plea to the US: “The foreign policy in this country is helping to block [the path of peace]. Why? Can’t you see that we are intertwined? There is another way. It’s not too late for life, for the living.”

Best sound and best visual effects went to Dune: Part Two, directed by Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve.

A night where independent and unusual filmmaking was rewarded, best animated feature went to Latvian computer-generated film Flow, while best animated short film was won by Iranian entry The Shadow Of The Cypress. Both international productions are dialogue-free.

Live action short film went to I’m Not A Robot, a study in an AI-fueled identity crisis.

Morgan Freeman pays tribute to Gene Hackman at the Oscars. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
Image:
Tributes were paid to a host of late industry greats, starting with Gene Hackman. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello

During the ceremony’s in memoriam section, Morgan Freeman paid tribute to two-time Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, who was found dead in his home along with his wife and dog earlier this week.

A video montage honoured Academy members who have passed away over the last year, including British stars Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Joan Plowwright and Donald Sutherland, and US performers James Earl Jones, Kris Kristofferson and David Lynch.

There was also a moving segment honouring late music producer Quincy Jones, led by Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg and featuring rapper Queen Latifah.

Sky News is livestreaming the Vanity Fair and Sir Elton John after-party red carpets following the ceremony. Catching the Oscar-winners as they party the night away, join us there from 6am.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

The Oscars moments everyone’s talking about: The good, the bad, and the chewing gum

Published

on

By

The Oscars moments everyone's talking about: The good, the bad, and the chewing gum

A surprise Bond tribute, a win that means one actor could become a father again (twice), and an urgent chewing gum disposal – the 2025 Oscars had plenty of talking points aside from the wins.

Anora was the night’s big winner, taking home five prizes including the night’s big award, best film, as well as best actress for newcomer Mikey Madison – meaning favourite Demi Moore missed out for her performance in The Substance.

Adrien Brody was named best actor, with his film The Brutalist taking home three awards in total, while Emilia Perez, Wicked and Dune: Part Two each picked up two.

But we don’t tune in to the Oscars just for the wins. We tune in for the fashion! And the mad moments on stage.

So here’s everything else that went on during the ceremony.

Way to make an entrance

Host Conan O'Brien speaks during the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Image:
Pic: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

As openers go, it was quite the arrival. In a send-up of body horror The Substance, host Conan O’Brien emerged from Demi Moore’s spine to make it to the ceremony.

“Conan, everyone’s waiting,” a nervous runner shouted as he knocked on the comedian’s dressing room door – but O’Brien had to dive back in to Moore’s back as he was missing a shoe.

The “four-time Oscar viewer”, as O’Brien was introduced, then launched into an opening monologue which included the usual roasts of some of the nominees in the audience.

The biggest collective “ooh” came when he referenced the swearing in Anora – comparing it to that of Emilia Perez star Karla Sofia Gascon’s publicist in recent weeks, after old tweets posted by the actress emerged in the wake of her Oscar nomination.

Gascon, who has been absent from red carpets following the controversy, was then shown in the audience. “If you’re going to tweet,” O’Brien asked her, “remember my name is Jimmy Kimmel”.

Adrien Brody needed to get rid of his chewing gum

Adrien Brody accepts the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for "The Brutalist" during the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Image:
Pic: AP/ Chris Pizzello

After being named best actor for his performance in The Brutalist, Adrien Brody gave a poignant speech, acknowledging how acting “looks very glamorous and at certain moments it is”, but can also be a “fragile profession” and that he has learned the importance of perspective.

However, just seconds after his name was announced, as he was walking to the stage, Brody seemed to realise he was chewing gum. Which probably isn’t a good look for an Oscar winner giving a poignant speech.

So what do you do? No doubt in a bit of a panic, Brody chose to turn round, take it out – and throw it at his partner, Georgina Chapman. Which was all caught on camera before he turned round again and walked on stage.

He then gave a long speech, which led to producers attempting to play him out – but Brody told them to turn it off. Now, playing the music is a little rude, but his response? “I’ve been here before… It’s not my first rodeo.” Not great.

He went on to speak about wanting to fight against “systematic oppression, and antisemitism and racism”, adding that people should “not let hate go unchecked”.

Best speech goes to…

Kieran Culkin accepts the award for best performance by an actor in a supporting role for A Real Pain during the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
Image:
Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello

Hailing Kieran Culkin‘s award acceptance speeches is almost getting boring now, but you’ve got to give it to him. He’s been a highlight of the awards season.

The actor, who picked up the best supporting actor gong for his performance in A Real Pain, started off by paying tribute to his fellow nominee and former Succession co-star Jeremy Strong, who was up for his performance in The Apprentice, as well as his A Real Pain co-star and director Jesse Eisenberg.

“Thank you for this movie, you are a genius,” he said to Eisenberg. “I will never say this again, so soak it up.”

So far, so fine. But Culkin went on to tell a story about how his wife, Jazz Charton, with whom he has two children, saying she had promised him a third after his previous Emmy win for Succession. And then a fourth if he ever won an Oscar.

“Love of my life, ye of little faith,” he told her, on stage. “I held my hand and you shook it… no pressure, I love you, I am really sorry I did this again, let’s get cracking on those kids.”

Firefighters get their moment

Members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Host Conan O'Brien, far right, on stage during the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Image:
Members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department joined host Conan O’Brien on stage. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello

Ahead of O’Brien’s opening monologue, a video showing clips of films about California and Los Angeles, such as La La Land and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, were shown in a tribute following the wildfires that tore through the county of LA in January.

During his opener, the host also managed a deft change of tone from his jokes to reference the tragedy.

“The people of Los Angeles have clearly been through a devastating ordeal,” he said. While awards shows can seem indulgent, he added, “the Oscars also shines the light on people you never see, technicians craftspeople, costume people.”

Later on, members of the fire service who tackled the blazes were introduced on stage and received a standing ovation from the stars in the audience.

O’Brien called them “heroes”, before inviting them to make jokes about comic book musical Joker 2, which was badly reviewed by critics, and Bob Dylan’s singing voice.

Bond tribute – but still no news

Margaret Qualley performs during a James Bond tribute during the Oscars show at the 97th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 2, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Image:
Margaret Qualley performs during the James Bond tribute. Pic: REUTERS/Carlos Barria


First, the Oscars announced they would not be featuring original song performances during the ceremony this year, a break from tradition saying they wanted to focus more on songwriters.

Then, earlier this week, they announced Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo would be performing, actually, with stars including Doja Cat, British singer-songwriter Raye and Lisa of Blackpink on the bill, too.

Grande and Erivo naturally took things to the Emerald City at the start of the ceremony, but later on we found out what was planned for the others – a tribute to James Bond.

Introduced by former Bond star Halle Berry following a montage of 007 clips, Lisa belted out Live And Let Die by Wings, rapper Doja Cat sang Dame Shirley Bassey’s Diamonds Are Forever, while Raye performed Adele’s Skyfall – with the number also including a dance performance starring The Substance actress Margaret Qualley.

After the major news of the Amazon creative control takeover in February, were producers about to make the announcement Bond fans have been waiting for since Daniel Craig’s farewell in 2021 – the next 007 reveal? With such a long section dedicated to the nation’s favourite spy, especially given he hasn’t appeared on screen for five years, it certainly appeared that way.

But no. This was a tribute for Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, who have ran the franchise since the mid-1990s after taking over from their father Albert “Cubby” Broccoli. The pair were announced as the recipients of the Irving G Thalberg Memorial Award, an honorary Academy Award, at the Governors Awards last year.

So stand down, everyone. Looks like we’ve got longer to wait yet to find out what’s next for Bond.

Records broken

Paul Tazewell, winner of the award for best costume design for "Wicked," poses in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Image:
Paul Tazewell, winner of the award for best costume design. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

If you wanna be a record breaker… dedication’s what you need. And with Anora’s five wins, including four personally for filmmaker Sean Baker, the director has equalled or broken a record held by none other than Walt Disney, depending on which way you look at it.

He equals Disney’s record for four wins for one person in one night, set in 1952 – but as Disney’s wins were for separate projects, Baker takes the record for most wins for one person for the same film.

Elsewhere, Wicked’s costume designer Paul Tazewell received a standing ovation as he became the first black man to win the award, and Latvia also picked up its first-ever Oscar, best animated feature film, for Flow.

Morgan Freeman pays tribute to Gene Hackman

Morgan Freeman pays tribute to Gene Hackman at the Oscars. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
Image:
Morgan Freeman paid tribute to Gene Hackman. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello

Following the news of Hollywood legend and Oscar winner Gene Hackman’s death earlier this week, a tribute to the star led the ceremony’s annual In Memoriam segment.

In an emotional speech, Morgan Freeman paid tribute to his friend, whom he worked with on Unforgiven and Under Suspicion.

Hackman was a “generous performer”, he said, who “won the hearts of film lovers around the world”.

He had always wanted to do “good work” in film, Freeman told the audience. “You’ll be remembered for that, and so much more”.

The section then continued with on-screen tributes to stars including Dame Maggie Smith, Kris Kristofferson, Donald Sutherland, Joan Plowright, David Lynch and James Earl Jones, who all died in 2024.

Later on, there was also a separate tribute to legendary music producer Quincy Jones, who also died last year, led by Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Oscars red carpet 2025: All the best looks from the nominees and guests

Published

on

By

Oscars red carpet 2025: All the best looks from the nominees and guests

Hollywood’s biggest stars have begun arriving at the Oscars in Los Angeles.

Demi Moore, Timothee Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Zoe Saldana and Kieran Culkin are among the A-list nominees, with the race to win this year’s top prizes wide open.

Oscars 2025: Follow live updates

Before the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre officially kicks off, the stars will put on their finest frocks and suits and take to the red carpet.

Here are some of the first arrivals’ best looks:

Bresha Webb arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Image:
American actress Bresha Webb rocking up in red. Pic: AP

Amelia Dimoldenberg poses during the Oscars arrivals at the 97th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 2, 2025. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Image:
From the chicken shop to the Oscars red carpet… it’s Amelia Dimoldenberg. Pic: Reuters

Loni Love arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Image:
A lot of love for comedian and TV presenter Loni Love’s blue gown. Pic: AP

Terri Seymour arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Image:
Extra correspondent Terri Seymour stuns in a pinky nude dress. Pic: AP

Yvonne Orji arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Image:
Actress Yvonne Orji sports an immaculate bob and metallic silver dress. Pic: AP

Reece Feldman poses on the red carpet during the Oscars arrivals at the 97th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 2, 2025. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
Image:
Actor and TikTok star Reece Feldman leads arrivals on the red carpet. Pic: Reuters

Nischelle Turner poses on the red carpet during the Oscars arrivals at the 97th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 2, 2025. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Image:
Entertainment Tonight correspondent Nischelle Turner giving Dune: Part Two, but couture. Pic: AP

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

Trending