The entertainment recap 2024

While the champagne is already chilling for the countdown moment tonight, we take a moment to look back at the highlights of 2024. Because such a last day of the year is also the moment for all the lists. What we, at least here in the editorial office, couldn't stop talking about in the past months is everything that has happened in the lives of the celebs. We gathered the most striking entertainment news of 2024.

No Bennifer 2.0 after all

It seemed like the ideal fairy tale: after their broken engagement in 2004, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez got back together in 2021. The two tied the knot a year later and seemed to have found each other completely this time. But this love bubble has really burst this year. Ben and Jen have once again put an end to their relationship and in August their divorce was official. For Jennifer, this marked the beginning of a single era. In an interview with Interview Magazine, she mentioned that she was quite fine being alone. Ben seems to think differently; he just can't let go of the Jennifers in his life and is once again seeking warmth with his other ex Jennifer Garner.

The battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar

Tensions had been brewing for a few years between artists Drake and Kendrick Lamar, and this volcano erupted this year with full force. If there’s even a Wikipedia page for the feud, you know it’s serious. And how do rappers argue? By writing songs in which the other is insulted: diss tracks. It all started at the end of 2023 when Drake, together with J Cole, released a song questioning who the best rapper really is. Kendrick responded by releasing his own diss track. J Cole withdrew from the fight, but for the other two, it had just begun. The songs followed each other in rapid succession until Kendrick seemed to have won the feud with his song ‘Not Like Us’. The song became a hit and even earned him seven Grammy nominations. Team Drake is now opting for a different tactic: he is suing the record label UMG, where Kendrick is signed, for defamation. Fun fact, Drake is also signed to this label. This will be interesting.

Hollywood is starting up again

After months of uncertainty and stalled productions, the actors‘ strike in the US finally came to an end at the end of 2023. This meant that filming could resume in 2024, but there are still significant backlogs to catch up on. Various series, including ’Virgin River‘, managed to pick up the pace a bit to release their latest season this year. Other titles like ’Stranger Things‘, ’Euphoria‘, and ’The Last of Us’ faced more delays and will only be available next year. But once those seasons are out, viewers will hardly notice the strike anymore. The contract between the unions is valid for at least two more years, so for now, we don’t have to worry anymore.

Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are still competing for the top

For years, it has been the discussion in the music world: who is better, Taylor Swift or Beyoncé? It seemed that the music platform Billboard was going to put an end to it this year. They named Beyoncé the greatest pop star of the 21st century. But despite this title battle, it was a successful year musically for both singers. Taylor’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ and Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ both easily found their way to the top of the charts. And with six nominations for Taylor and eleven for Beyoncé, both singers are major contenders at the 2025 Grammys. A slight lead for Queen B, but both continue to dominate the top in 2024.

The new artists of 2024

Beyoncé and Taylor Swift may still be the biggest artists, but this year saw quite a bit of competition emerge. Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter may not be new to the music world, but they had their big breakthrough this year. With a little help from TikTok, Chappell's song ‘Hot to Go’ went completely viral, and Sabrina’s ‘Espresso’ became the most streamed song in the US. And with both having six Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist, the singers are really in the running for the big prizes. New shows are already scheduled for 2025; Chappell and Sabrina certainly have no plans to slow down.

‘Barbenheimer’ makes way for ‘Glicked’

As the big films of 2023, ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ were the major contenders at this year’s Oscars. And while ‘Oppenheimer’ won the most awards, it was Ryan Gosling who stole the show with his ‘I’m just Ken’ performance. But with the end of award season came the end of the ‘Barbenheimer’ era. However, with the nearly simultaneous release of ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator 2’, we won’t have to wait long for a new film battle. At the suggestion of actor Paul Mescal, we call the fight ‘Glicked’; because if Paul says it, we do it, of course. There’s a good chance that the witches and gladiators will face off at the upcoming Oscars.

Diddy-gate

Since September of this year, there hasn’t been a week without news about P. Diddy. The rapper is suspected of abuse, extortion, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking for prostitution. As the number of charges continues to rise, more and more celebs from the so-called ‘list’ are getting involved in the scandal. After several failed attempts to be released on bail, Diddy has resigned himself to spending Christmas in the prison. Meanwhile, he is preparing for his case, which will really start in May. One thing is for sure, Diddy-gate will still play a major role in 2025.