POP TARTZ: BIG In 2015

So after an (ahem) extended festive break Pop Tartz is back! With a look at some of the things that are looking to be BIG in Popular Culture in 2015, so let's take a gander at what's going to explode in this new year...

BIG in Pop Albums:

The pop heavyweights are looking to steal back their crowns this year from the newcomers that have been ruling the waves this past year or so, here are some of the exciting album drops coming your way:

Adele:

She's more or less completley shyed away from public life in recent years and rumours of a third studio album have been rife ever since her mega-hit 21 dropped way back in 2011. But 2015 is the year Adele is coming back. The project has been under tight wraps and it is rumoured Adele is going to do a Beyonce and drop the album without any promotion. Originally set for a 2014 release Adele is said to be perfecting the record, which is rumoured to have a 'pop influenced sound'. Music legends such as Phil Collins were said to be on the record, but apparently the London born lass never got back to him on his efforts, awkward! 

Madonna 

Originally following in the veign of Adele on the 'top secret' approach of her 13th studio album, those pesky leaks meant Madge had to go into damage control, releasing tracks and the albums artwork early, as well as an iTunes pre-order option. Ever the figure of controversey she compared the leaking of the songs to terrorism and rape, you can bet that was a fun day for her publicist. Either way she's ready to take back her thrown and with efforts such as Livin For Love and Rebel Heart go, she shouldn't have too much trouble doing so. All this said her recent penchant for getting her baps out could put people off. 

Rihanna

Since the beginning of her career it seemed that Rihanna had an 'album-per-year' pattern emerging. However since her 2012 effort Unapologetic RiRi took a break from the industry. But she's back and is apparently in search for a new, more serious sound. The hitmaker has apparently rebuffed the option to work with Calvin Harris again and is 'desperate' to work with new talent such as Sam Smith as well as Pharrell and there's even rumours Emeli Sande is involved. Watch this space people!

BIG in Diva Shows:

There's something for everyone this year as Divas of every age and genre seem to be planning to put on some spectacular shows for audiences around the world. Let's take a look at the top picks:

Nicki Minaj: The Pinkprint Tour: 

Late last year Nicki dropped her third album The Pinkprint which promised to veer away from the EDM inspired sound she had been influenced by for too long, and mark a return to her roots. It delivered and now Nicki is ready to embark on the tour of the same name. Starting in Stockholm in March, the show will tour Europe as well as the US. Nicki has promised it will be her 'best show yet' and joining her on her european dates will be RnB favourite Trey Songz. With this album and show Nicki's proving she's no 'Stupid Hoe' when it comes to changing direction. 

J.Lo's Las Vegas Residency?: 

It's been swirling around the rumour mill for quite some time now and it's apparently all going to come to fruition in 2015. J.Lo is said to be finalizing a lucrative $26million deal with either The Axis nightclub at Planet Hollywood or Caeser's Palace, both on the Las Vegas Strip. It's been a popular marketing tool that Vegas has been trying in recent years, by using more current artists, such as Britney Spears, to pull in younger crowds. With J.Lo's recent efforts not performing like they used to, a camp-fest on the Vegas strip could be just what she needs. 

Bette Midler: It's The Girls Tour:

A legend of stage and screen, this year Bette Midler embarks on her It's The Girls Tour, a show of old 60's tunes as well as classics from the diva herself. To promote the tour Bette recently performed at The Royal Variety Performance as well as having her own 'One night only...' special on ITV, reminding audiences just why they should buy tickets for her show. 

BIG in Oscar Buzz:

This years Oscars already look set to be an exciting one, with obvious contenders such as Gone Girl and Birdman in the forefront to take home the bacon on the night. Films like Into The Woods are also rumoured to be in the running, no doubt in the special effects department. 

A surprising addition to the rumour mill is that Jennifer Aniston could potentially be up for a Best Actress nomination for her role in the film Cake. Jen is apparently attempting to pull a Matthew Mcconaughey and finally carve out a career as a serious actress, away from the screwball comedies that have made her name. She's already been nominated at the Golden Globes, where her least fave person Angelina Jolie has been snubbed!


BIG in Cool TV Shows: 

This year heralds the return of cutting edge HBO shows Girls and Looking as well as Russel T. Davies new Channel 4/E4/4oD crossover Cucumber,Banana and Tofu. 

Lena Dunham's mega hit Girls returns to screens this January and it's looking to be the best season yet. Hannah's moved to Iwoa for her scholarship programme, while the relationship between Desi and Marnie appears to be hotting up, and Shoshonna attempts to make it in the real world, cue for all to go wrong. Looking's second season also looks to delve further into complications that were left unfinished in Season 1. This includes the love triangle between Patrick, Kevin and Ritchie, as well as the introduction of new cast members, such as Mean Girls' Daniel Franzese (aka Damian). 

Queer as Folk and Doctor Who writer Russell T. Davies also offers a new kind of viewing experience with his new series. Channel 4's Cucumber looks at the life of an older gay couple and their friends. Meanwhile Banana will look at each character in detail over on E4 and 4oD offers a documentary that assists the series throughout with Tofu. 

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Madonna wows as new-face of Versace Spring/Summer 2015 campaign

Well she's recently found herself the subject of some controversey regarding going topless at the ripe old age of 56. People were saying Madge was getting a bit desperado again so what better way to silence the critics then do a photoshoot, looking amazing with a high end fashion brand, she knows damage control! By gracing Versace's Spring/Summer 2015 campaign The Queen of Pop also replaces Lady Gaga who had been the face of the fashion house up until now, you can bet Madgy's loving every second of that! Here's what ol' girl had to say about taking over as the face of the iconic brand: 

"It's always exciting to be dressed head to toe in Versace and experience first-hand Donatella's vivid imagination and passion that she has created for this collection."

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WATCH: Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett in H&M's new Christmas advert

Here's something to get everyone in the festive party mood, H&M have continued their advertising campaign featuring Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett with this TV advert, who wouldn't want to be at their party!

REVIEW: Lindsay Lohan in Speed-the-Plow

It’s safe to say that Lindsay Lohan has lead a colourful life over the past few years and has earned quite the name for herself as a troubled Hollywood party girl. The last year or so, however, has seen Lohan try and make an effort to rid herself of this reputation and get back to  the star-status she once had, when she was celebrated for actually being a talented actress (hopefully this is the last time, 6 rehab stints? Come on hun.) This effort has been backed up with a role in David Mamet’s Speed-The-Plow which has been running at London’s Playhouse Theatre for the last couple of months, something she hopes has gained her back some much needed credibility. 

The audience wasn’t as full of die hard Lohan fans as would perhaps be assumed. Saying this, the Mean Girls and The Parent Trap quoting was heard throughout the evening, for example when Lohan graced the stage in a black polka dot mini dress someone whispered ‘On Thursday’s we wear black’. These quiet heckles were just a testament to how iconic Lohan’s early films were to a certain generation. One thing has been clear from the mixed reviews the starlet has received, it’s that she does possess actual star presence. And it’s true when she entered the stage, the audience took notice, although perhaps this was because a good percentage of onlookers knew who Halle Parker was or that it isn’t appropriate to wear sweat pants on Monday. Either way Lohan looked great, if a little enhanced, perhaps this is a sign of the healthier lifestyle she is now apparently living.

Her performance, although slightly shaky at the start, eased up and flourished as the evening continued. Playing the seemingly naïve but ultimately manipulative and ambitious Karen (a role first played by Madonna in 1988), Lohan exhibited enough range to show this duality in her character. At times her lines felt a little rushed, although it could be argued this was a part of Karen’s desperate manner and the density of Mamet’s script.  By the final scene Lohan was holding her own beside her two co-stars Nigel Lindsay and Richard Schiff, who both gave stellar performances as the two greedy Hollywood producers Lohan’s character tries to have one over on. All in all for someone that’s not a stage actress Lindsay Lohan gave a good performance, shaky and unsure at times but good enough to put her back on the map. With the show closing very soon only time will tell whether this change in direction will pay off.

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Bette Midler and Ariana Grande come to blows

Uh Oh looks like there's another fued a'brewin in celebville as pop-princess Ariana Grande and all-round ball of fabulousness Bette Midler get caught in a heated row. It all started when Bette threw shade Ariana's way, stating in an interview with The Telegraph:

'It's terrible! It's always surprising to see someone like Ariana Grande with that silly high voice, slithering around on a couch, looking so ridiculous. I mean, it's silly beyond belief and I don't know who's telling her to do it. I wish they'd stop.'

Ariana was said to be upset by the comments as she is apparently a big fan of Bette's. The starlet was also claimed to have thought Bette was being a little hypocriticial seeing as she was partial to showing a bit of flesh here and there in her heyday. Eventually it seems Bette may have had second thoughts and sent a tweet out Ariana's way:

 

To which Ariana replied with:

Well it looks like this fued may be over before it's had time to fully bloom, although is anyone still sensing some anger in the supposed 'let's make it up' tweets? 

Break The Internet: Kim Kardashian

Love it or hate it, let's face it, in 10 years people will still be talking about THAT Kim K cover...

She's certainly established herself as the most iconic reality star in history with what is the most notorious derriere in showbusiness today. Now Kim Kardashian has posed for Paper Magazine in a spread which was aptly titled 'Break The Internet', and that she did, just take a look at some of the reactions below as well as the original pics!

Some seemed to agree Kim's isn't quite the best.

 Some likened it to sugary snacks.

 Her husband had only adoring words (well kind of)

 Naya threw shade.

Chelsea threw back a selfie. 

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