WE have picked the best (and the worst) moments of 2023 for Biz on Sunday’s annual awards.
From Taylor Swift’s epic tour to Maya Jama getting back with her ex, there has been no shortage of sparkle and surprise . . .
PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift
SHE has the highest-grossing music tour in history after surpassing an eye-watering $1billion (£790million) in revenue.
So it is no wonder that Taylor Swift is our performer of the year after wowing the globe with her Eras Tour.
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With a 44-song setlist, 12 stunning costumes costing a total of £50,000, an army of dancers, tight choreography and pyrotechnics, the Shake It Off hitmaker is truly the greatest female pop star of all time.
HOTTEST SHOWBIZ COUPLE
Maya Jama and Stormzy
IF anyone could make getting back with your ex acceptable, it was Maya Jama and Stormzy.
The couple confirmed they had reunited after they were spotted holding hands during a secret getaway to Greece in August.
It came after they split in 2019 following a four-year romance, with the rapper later admitting he had made a mistake in letting Love Island host Maya go.
GUILTY TV PLEASURE
Claudia Winkleman
REALITY TV does not get better than 22 strangers playing mind games in a remote Scottish castle to win £120,000.
But The Traitors, fronted by Claudia Winkleman on BBC One, had us hooked.
Even better, the second series – which promises even more drama and deceit – premieres on January 3.
That’s the post-Christmas slump sorted.
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HONEST CELEB OF THE YEAR
Lewis Capaldi
WHEN it comes to celebs wearing their heart on their sleeve, no one comes close to Lewis Capaldi.
The Scottish hitmaker announced during his set at Glastonbury in June that he was taking a break from performing, to focus on his mental health.
“When I do come back and when I do see you, I hope you are all still up for watching us and singing songs with us,” he said, fighting back tears.
You can count on us, Lewis.
BEST REUNION
Girls Aloud
CHRISTMAS came early when Girls Aloud announced their comeback in November – two years after the tragic death of their bandmate Sarah Harding.
Cheryl Tweedy, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts are kicking off their UK and Ireland tour at Dublin’s 3Arena on May 18.
And it seems that Cheryl is eating her words after a now-viral clip resurfaced from 2006 of her talking about the future of the band.
“There’ll be no reunions though. Could you imagine? A 30-odd-year-old singing, ‘I’m just a love machine’?
“Nah, no thanks.”
MOMENT OF THE YEAR
Beyonce
WHEN your mum is Beyonce, it is no wonder that 11-year-old Blue Ivy had the confidence to dance in front of thousands on stage during the Renaissance World Tour.
Blue wowed fans with her routines to her mum’s tracks My Power and Black Parade.
And Beyonce revealed her daughter only worked harder when she saw negative comments from nasty trolls online.
With that attitude, it looks like Blue will be one to watch.
FALL OF THE YEAR
Phillip Schofield
ONCE he was the king of ITV, so no one could have expected the fall from grace of Phillip Schofield, which has played out this year.
The presenter sensationally quit This Morning in May after more than 20 years before releasing a statement admitting to an “on-off relationship with a younger male colleague”.
In a sit-down chat with The Sun, he said: “I’m sorry. And I will forever be sorry. I will die sorry. I am so deeply mortified.”
COMEBACK QUEEN
Madonna
MADONNA reigned over London’s O2 as she kicked off her Celebration Tour in October.
It came three months after the singing great was in intensive care when she was found unresponsive as a result of a serious bacterial infection.
And in true Madge style, she defied her 65 years as she pulled off choreography and belted out hits and from across four decades – including Like A Virgin, Into The Groove and Celebration.
Speaking to the 20,000 fans, Madonna said: “Let me whisper in your ear, an invitation to the dance of life.”
TOP 5 ALBUMS
- 1989 (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
- Tension – Kylie
- This Is Why – Paramore
- Guts – Olivia Rodrigo
- Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent – Lewis Capaldi
TOP 5 SINGLES
- Padam Padam – Kylie
- Lovin On Me – Jack Harlow
- Prada – Casso, Raye and D-Block Europe
- Vampire – Olivia Rodrigo
- Flowers – Miley Cyrus
TOP 5 FILMS
- Barbie (Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling)
- Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy)
- The Little Mermaid (Halle Bailey)
- Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé
- Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (Tom Cruise)
TOP TV DRAMAS
- Happy Valley – BBC One
- The Crown – Netflix
- Bodies – Netflix
- Unforgotten – ITV
- Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story – Netflix
DUET ON THE CARDS, DUA?
DUA LIPA added another string to her bow this year when she starred in hit movie Barbie.
But the singer/songwriter has confirmed she is sticking to tracks instead of takes and concentrating on music next year.
The Houdini hitmaker played Mermaid Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s flick and fans will see her star alongside Henry Cavill when the action thriller Argylle hits cinemas in February.
In an exclusive chat, Dua said: “I think for now, music’s my number one priority. I’m diving head first into my new album.
“I’ve had the best, most incredible experience working on both Barbie and Argylle.
“I’m excited for everyone to see Argylle. In terms of what role is next, I don’t know. We’ll just see.”
She added: “I’m grateful for being able to have my hobby as my job and being able to do that every day.”
Her track Dance The Night from the Barbie soundtrack is in contention for Best Song at the Golden Globes next month.
Asked how she would feel to accept the award, she said: “It would just mean so much to just be nominated by my peers and people who I look up to and to be a part of it.
“Honestly, I’m just so happy to be a part of this, to see the music being received so well.”
But Dua revealed that Dance The Night will be her last disco-inspired track for a while, as she gears up to release her third record next year.
Of her new music, she said: “It’s more psychedelic and dance and a lot more organic-sounding. I think I was really inspired by being on tour for so long.
“I wanted to have that energy. That’s where I’m heading.”
Dua spoke at The Hollywood Reporter’s 2023 Women In Entertainment breakfast gala, where Adele received the prestigious Sherry Lansing Leadership Award.
Dua said of Adele: “She’s got the most unbelievable voice and her lyrics have always been very touching to me. She’s somebody I’ve always looked up to.
“I’m always fanning over Adele.”
Perhaps 2024 has an incredible collaboration on the cards . . .
