This Week’s Biggest Releases
If you’ve been eager for fresh entertainment, this week is packed with exciting content across TV, music, and film. Here’s what to look forward to:
1. Molly-Mae’s New TV Series
Molly-Mae is stepping into a new role in her highly-anticipated TV series debut. Promising to show her “as never before,” the series gives a deeper insight into her life and personal journey. The first episode will be available on Friday, so mark your calendars!
2. Love Island: Second Chances
Get ready for more romance and drama as familiar faces return to the iconic Love Island villa for another chance at finding love. With surprises and twists in store, fans of the show can expect an emotional rollercoaster.
3. One Direction Film Tribute
In honor of Liam Payne, One Direction’s hit film is making a return to cinemas. Fans will have a chance to relive the magic of the band’s journey, offering nostalgia and a heartfelt tribute to the beloved singer.
4. Pope Francis’ Autobiography
Pope Francis will tackle bold and divisive topics in his new autobiography, addressing issues such as climate change, social justice, and the future of the Church. This release is expected to spark conversations and provide a compelling insight into the Pope’s vision.
5. Mac Miller’s Posthumous Album: Balloonerism
Fans of Mac Miller will finally get to hear his long-rumored album Balloonerism, a project that’s been eagerly awaited since his passing. With soulful beats and introspective lyrics, the album is sure to be a poignant tribute to his legacy.
Whether you’re a fan of reality TV, music, film, or thought-provoking reads, this week offers something for everyone. Stay tuned for more updates!
Molly-Mae: Behind It All – Reality Show to Drop January 17
Influencer and former Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague is set to take center stage once again in her new reality-docuseries Molly-Mae: Behind It All, launching on Prime Video on 17 January. The show offers fans an up-close and personal look at her life post-breakup, balancing single motherhood and her growing business empire.
Inside Molly-Mae’s World
The first three episodes, dropping this Friday, promise “unprecedented access” to Molly-Mae’s life, offering more than what fans usually see in her polished vlogs and social media posts. Cameras follow her as she raises her daughter Bambi and navigates life after her surprising split from professional boxer Tommy Fury.
Despite the breakup, Molly-Mae and Tommy remain in the headlines, with rumors swirling after photos allegedly showing the two sharing a kiss at a New Year’s Eve party surfaced in various tabloids. The show is expected to touch on this aspect of her life, which continues to fascinate her millions of followers.
A Carefully Managed Glimpse?
In an interview with Vogue last November, Molly-Mae admitted that letting cameras into her home full-time was a big adjustment. “So far, so good. I’ve not lost my mind with the cameras in my house all the time,” she joked. Known for her media savvy, many speculate that while the show may offer a glimpse of her personal struggles, it will likely be highly curated.
However, producers have teased that audiences will see Molly-Mae “raw, real, and redefining what it means to thrive under intense public scrutiny.” Whether that means we’ll get a deeper look at her emotions post-breakup or just a glimpse into her business ventures remains to be seen.
What’s Next?
With the second batch of episodes slated for release in the spring, viewers can expect to watch Molly-Mae’s continued journey as she reclaims her identity, raises her daughter, and redefines what life after Love Island looks like.
For now, fans will have to tune in this Friday to see how much of her world Molly-Mae is really ready to reveal.
Love Island: All Stars Returns – Can It Bring Back the Sparkle?
After Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury’s headline-grabbing breakup, questions about finding “true love” on reality TV have resurfaced. Despite the skepticism, Love Island: All Stars is back, hoping to reignite the magic with familiar faces. The spin-off series kicks off on Monday on ITV2 and ITVX, promising more drama, romance, and second chances.
Who’s Returning?
This year’s line-up features some of the most memorable contestants from previous seasons:
- Curtis Pritchard – Known for his morning coffee ritual and love triangle drama in 2019.
- Kaz Crossley and Nas Majeed – Fan favorites with unfinished romantic stories.
- Gabby Allen and Marcel Somerville – The former couple, who were runners-up in 2017 but later split, are back for a fresh start.
- Scott Thomas, Olivia Hawkins, Catherine Agbaje, and Ronnie Vint – Familiar faces returning to test their chemistry once again.
- Luca Bish – Famous for his relationship with Gemma Owen, daughter of ex-footballer Michael Owen, Luca returns to see if he can find lasting love.
Falling Viewing Figures & High Stakes
Love Island: All Stars was launched last year as a response to declining ratings for the original series. While it drew excitement, last year’s grand final only attracted 1.3 million viewers, a stark contrast to the show’s peak of six million in 2019. ITV producers are betting on nostalgia and fan-favorite contestants to revive interest.
A Harder Life Outside the Villa?
The return of so many former stars could hint at the challenges of maintaining influencer careers after leaving the island. As competition in the influencer space grows, returning to the show might offer a renewed spotlight and new opportunities.
Will Love Island: All Stars recapture its former glory, or will it continue to struggle against waning interest? Viewers will have to tune in on Monday to find out. Stay tuned for updates as the drama unfolds!
One Direction: This Is Us Returns to Cinemas in Tribute to Liam Payne
A decade after dominating the UK and Ireland box office, One Direction: This Is Us is set for a heartfelt return to cinemas on Tuesday, honoring the memory of former band member Liam Payne, who tragically passed away last year.
A Tribute with Purpose
Odeon announced that all ticket profits from the screenings will be donated to mental health awareness charities, a move that has been widely praised by fans. Other cinemas globally are also joining in with special showings of the film, ensuring a worldwide tribute.
Fans, known as Directioners, took to social media to express their emotions:
- “Liam’s deserved more than tributes, he’s irreplaceable. But you’re doing a good thing,” said one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
- “This will mean a lot to fans,” added another, with a heartfelt emoji.
Behind the Film
Directed by Morgan Spurlock, known for Super Size Me, the 2013 documentary offers an intimate look at the band during their meteoric rise. Featuring behind-the-scenes moments and electrifying concert footage, it captures the essence of Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Liam Payne during their peak.
An Emotional Experience
Following Liam’s death, vigils were held around the world by grieving fans. This re-release offers another chance for Directioners to come together, celebrate his legacy, and relive cherished memories from their youth.
With the recent debate about whether it’s appropriate to sing along during cinema screenings—sparked by incidents at showings of Wicked and Moana 2—it remains to be seen how audiences will behave. However, given the emotional weight of the occasion, it’s likely fans won’t hold back from singing their hearts out.
For many, this screening will be more than just a film—it’s a farewell, a tribute, and a way to honor a beloved icon of their generation.
Mac Miller’s Posthumous Album ‘Balloonerism’ to Release This Friday
More than five years after Mac Miller’s untimely death on 18 September 2018, his fans will soon get to hear a piece of him once more. On Friday, Miller’s estate will release Balloonerism, an unreleased album recorded in 2014, marking the second posthumous project following 2020’s Circles.
A Controversial Release
While many fans are excited about the opportunity to hear new music from the late rapper, others have expressed concern over the ethics of releasing music after an artist’s death. Some worry that such releases might alter or dilute the legacy Miller carefully crafted during his lifetime.
However, Mac Miller’s estate reassured fans, emphasizing that Balloonerism was “of great importance to Malcolm.” In their November Instagram announcement, they described the album as a testament to Miller’s “fearlessness and musical talent” and explained that releasing it was a way to honor his artistic vision.
The Legacy of Mac Miller
Miller, born Malcolm James McCormick, was just 26 years old when he tragically passed away due to an accidental overdose. Shortly before his death, he released the critically acclaimed album Swimming, which explored themes of mental health, addiction, and personal growth, as well as his breakup with pop star Ariana Grande.
Fans and critics alike praised Swimming for its introspective depth and maturity, making it all the more poignant when Miller passed away only a month later. His posthumous album Circles, released in 2020, was seen as a fitting continuation of Swimming, with a more peaceful and reflective tone.
A Celebration of Art
Despite the mixed feelings surrounding posthumous releases, Balloonerism offers fans one more chance to experience Miller’s artistry. Whether it becomes a bittersweet farewell or a celebration of his creative genius, one thing is clear—Mac Miller may be gone, but his music and message continue to resonate.
For those who loved his music, Balloonerism serves as a reminder that while his life was cut short, his art lives on. Fans can expect a mix of Miller’s signature style, blending jazz, funk, and introspective lyrics in a way only he could.
Stay tuned this Friday, as we all get to hear the work that meant so much to the late rapper.
Courtesy: MTV UK
References
- ^ “World Development Indicators: Rural environment and land use”. World Development Indicators, The World Bank. World Bank. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
- ^ Jump up to:a b “World Population Prospects 2022”. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- ^ Jump up to:a b “World Population Prospects 2022: Demographic indicators by region, subregion and country, annually for 1950-2100” (XSLX) (“Total Population, as of 1 July (thousands)”). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d “Report for Selected Countries and Subjects”.
- ^ Dressing, David. “Latin America”. Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture. v. 5, 390
- ^ Bethell, Leslie (August 1, 2010). “Brazil and ‘Latin America'”. Journal of Latin American Studies. 42 (3): 457–485. doi:10.1017/S0022216X1000088X. ISSN 1469-767X.
- ^ Gistory (September 17, 2015). “Is Brazil Part of Latin America? It’s Not an Easy Question”. Medium. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ “Latin America” definition Archived September 22, 2022, at the Wayback Machine. Encyclopedia Britannica, accessed May 20, 2022.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Bilbao, Francisco (June 22, 1856). “Iniciativa de la América. Idea de un Congreso Federal de las Repúblicas” (in Spanish). París. Archived from the original on September 17, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017 – via Proyecto Filosofía en español.
- ^ Britton, John A. (2013). Cables, Crises, and the Press: The Geopolitics of the New Information System in the Americas, 1866–1903. UNM Press. pp. 16–18. ISBN 9780826353986.
- ^ Mignolo, Walter (2005). The Idea of Latin America. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 77–80. ISBN 978-1-4051-0086-1.
- ^ Ardao, Arturo (1980). Genesis de la idea y el nombre de América Latina (PDF). Caracas, Venezuela: Centro de Estudios Latinoamericanos Rómulo Gallegos. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
- ^ Rojas Mix, Miguel (1986). “Bilbao y el hallazgo de América latina: Unión continental, socialista y libertaria…”. Caravelle. Cahiers du monde hispanique et luso-brésilien. 46 (1): 35–47. doi:10.3406/carav.1986.2261. ISSN 0008-0152.
- ^ Gobat, Michel (December 1, 2013). “The Invention of Latin America: A Transnational History of Anti-Imperialism, Democracy, and Race”. The American Historical Review. 118 (5): 1345–1375. doi:10.1093/ahr/118.5.1345. ISSN 0002-8762. S2CID 163918139.
- ^ Edward, Shawcross (February 6, 2018). France, Mexico and informal empire in Latin America, 1820–1867 : equilibrium in the New World. Cham, Switzerland. p. 120. ISBN 9783319704647. OCLC 1022266228.
- ^ Gutierrez, Ramon A. (2016). “What’s in a Name?”. In Gutierrez, Ramon A.; Almaguer, Tomas (eds.). The New Latino Studies Reader: A Twenty-First-Century Perspective. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-520-28484-5. OCLC 1043876740.
The word latinoamericano emerged in the years following the wars of independence in Spain’s former colonies […] By the late 1850s, californios were writing in newspapers about their membership in América latina (Latin America) and latinoamerica, calling themselves Latinos as the shortened name for their hemispheric membership in la raza latina (the Latin race). Reprinting an 1858 opinion piece by a correspondent in Havana on race relations in the Americas, El Clamor Publico of Los Angeles surmised that ‘two rival races are competing with each other … the Anglo Saxon and the Latin one [la raza latina].’
- ^ “América latina o Sudamérica?, por Luiz Alberto Moniz Bandeira, Clarín, 16 de mayo de 2005″. Clarin.com. May 16, 2005. Archived from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
- ^ José María Torres Caicedo (September 26, 1856). “Las dos Américas” (in Spanish). Venice. Archived from the original on July 22, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2013 – via Proyecto Filosofía en español.
- ^ Bilbao, Francisco. “Emancipación del espíritu de América”. Francisco Bilbao Barquín, 1823–1865, Chile. Archived from the original on September 16, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- ^ RAE (2005). Diccionario Panhispánico de Dudas. Madrid: Santillana Educación. ISBN 8429406239. Archived from the original on April 4, 2010. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
- ^ Rangel, Carlos (1977). The Latin Americans: Their Love-Hate Relationship with the United States. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. pp. 3–5. ISBN 978-0-15-148795-0. Skidmore, Thomas E.; Peter H. Smith (2005). Modern Latin America (6th ed.). Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 1–10. ISBN 978-0-19-517013-9.
- ^ Jump up to:a b Torres, George (2013). Encyclopedia of Latin American Popular Music. ABC-CLIO. p. xvii. ISBN 9780313087943.
- ^ Butland, Gilbert J. (1960). Latin America: A Regional Geography. New York: John Wiley and Sons. pp. 115–188. ISBN 978-0-470-12658-5.
Dozer, Donald Marquand (1962). Latin America: An Interpretive History. New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. 1–15. ISBN 0-87918-049-8.
Szulc, Tad (1965). Latin America. New York Times Company. pp. 13–17. ISBN 0-689-10266-6.
Olien, Michael D. (1973). Latin Americans: Contemporary Peoples and Their Cultural Traditions. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. pp. 1–5. ISBN 978-0-03-086251-9.
Black, Jan Knippers, ed. (1984). Latin America: Its Problems and Its Promise: A Multidisciplinary Introduction. Boulder: Westview Press. pp. 362–378. ISBN 978-0-86531-213-5.
Burns, E. Bradford (1986). Latin America: A Concise Interpretive History (4th ed.). New York: Prentice-Hall. pp. 224–227. ISBN 978-0-13-524356-5.
Skidmore, Thomas E.; Peter H. Smith (2005). Modern Latin America (6th ed.). Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 351–355. ISBN 978-0-19-517013-9. - ^ Composition of macro geographical (continental) regions, geographical sub-regions, and selected economic and other groupings Archived April 17, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, UN Statistics Division. Accessed on line May 23, 2009. (French Archived December 24, 2010, at the Wayback Machine)
- ^ Latin America and the Caribbean Archived May 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. The World Bank. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^ “Country Directory. Latin American Network Information Center-University of Texas at Austin”. Lanic.utexas.edu. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
- ^ Mauricio Tenorio-Trillo, Latin America: The Allure and Power of an Idea. Chicago: University of Chicago Press 2017, 1, 3.
- ^ Francisco Bilbao, La América en peligro, Buenos Aires: Impr. de Berheim y Boeno 1862, 14, 23, quoted in Tenorio-Trillo, Latin America, p. 5.
- ^ Gongóra, Alvaro; de la Taille, Alexandrine; Vial, Gonzalo. Jaime Eyzaguirre en su tiempo (in Spanish). Zig-Zag. p. 223.
- ^ “South America, Latin America”. Reflexions. University of Liège. Archived from the original on November 24, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 202