SAN FRANCISCO — Christmas in California isn’t a Hallmark movie. The only magical snowfall in the Bay Area on Wednesday came when white confetti fluttered down at the end of a basketball game between the Lakers and Golden State Warriors while a carol played over the Chase Center loudspeakers.
The fans were mostly unimpressed, Austin Reaves having grinched the home team’s holiday moments earlier.
As they walked out, Reaves walked toward the middle of the court, putting on a headset to dissect what had just happened in a postgame radio interview. Sitting on the scorer’s tables during the post-buzzer blizzard, the moment wasn’t lost on Reaves. As he’s fond of reminding people, he isn’t really supposed to be in these moments.
He wasn’t good enough to get drafted. His town was too small for him to really get heavily recruited. And he certainly wasn’t the kind of player that you’d expect to be leaving the NBA’s marquee game with the ball after hitting the winning shot.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves scores the winning basket during a 115-113 victory over the Warriors on Wednesday.
(Noah Graham / NBAE / Getty Images)
That’s what “they” have believed. Reaves? Less surprised.
Still, Reaves’ Christmas performance caught even him off guard. He’d wrapped his third career triple-double by sliding past the Warriors defense for a late layup to beat Golden State 115-113.
“I’m really not really an emotional person,” Reaves said of the moment at the scorer’s table. “… There was a quick second where I thought I might tear up. And that doesn’t happen a lot. But it’s Christmas.”
For a moment, he thought about Arkansas and his friends and family. He thought about Germany, where his older brother, Spencer, is one of the top shooters in the country. He thought, for a tick, about the long odds to reach that scorer’s table.
“I know all my people back home are locked in and sitting around with family watching the game and that means a lot to me,” Reaves said. “I say it all the time, I’m not necessarily supposed to be in this position. I got lucky, got my foot in the door and took advantage of an opportunity. And now I’m sitting here … on Christmas with a game-winner and a triple-double, and really the win that matters the most to me.”
Following a six-turnover night in the Lakers’ loss to Detroit on Monday, Reaves rebounded with a strong game against the Warriors even before the final 6.6 seconds. He powered through a rough shooting start to score 16 of his 26 points in the second half. Minus D’Angelo Russell, who didn’t play because of a sprained thumb, and Anthony Davis, who barely played because of a sprained ankle, Reaves had to take on more responsibility on both ends of the court. He, like his team, was perfect at the free-throw line, including in the clutch.
But because of Stephen Curry’s 17-point fourth quarter, it almost wasn’t enough.
The Lakers saw their 10-point lead with 3:27 left vanish thanks to a flurry of Curry three-pointers, including two in the last 12 seconds, the second of which tied the score at 113. They needed Reaves’ final bucket to leave San Francisco with a win.
“To start off,” Reaves said, “the play was not for me.”
The Lakers tried to get the inbounded pass to LeBron James, but Draymond Green and Curry followed him.
“The patience, I think, with 6.6 seconds to just get the ball and let the play develop and let us get to our space, that was the biggest thing,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Not going fast and allowing us to get him room to operate.”
Max Christie cleared to the top of the key after inbounding the ball. Gabe Vincent dragged Golden State’s Dennis Schroder to the opposite corner. And Rui Hachimura, somehow, got the Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga to turn his back to the floor while he was out of bounds on the baseline.
Reaves caught the pass, squared to the rim, jab-stepped right and flew past the Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins. He scooped the layup in off the glass before a defender came close to challenging his first winning shot of the season.
“It’s always great to have great options out on the floor at the same time,” James said. “And AR has been in that position before.”
Reaves won a game in Dallas as a rookie and has hit big shots since. But something about Christmas, something about the moment…
“Five seconds is a long time when it comes to basketball,” he said.
On Christmas against the Warriors, five seconds was enough time to create a moment he’ll never forget.
Denver‘s Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook made NBA history Friday night, becoming the first pair of teammates to record a triple-double in the same game twice in a single season.
Jokic finished with 35 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds for his NBA-leading 15th triple-double of the season in the Nuggets’ 124-105 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Westbrook had 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
“I think it’s that’s the style both of us play,” Jokic said. “I’m just glad we’re winning the games because that’s more important than the stats. It’s special, the relationship, how the guys are willing to run the lanes and get to the corner. They know the ball’s going to find them.”
They are also the first to record a 25-point triple-double in the same regular-season game.
The pair also accomplished the feat at Utah on Dec. 30. Jokic had 36 points, 22 rebounds and 11 assists that night while Westbrook had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Westbrook made all seven of his shot attempts, both free throw attempts and didn’t have a turnover in that game.
Westbrook credited Malone with giving him the freedom to play his game.
“Being able to do that allows me to be able to make guys around me better,” Westbrook said Friday. “Try to bring this team some leadership, some energy, some toughness. We’re just getting started on figuring it out.”
Jokic had missed the previous two games with an illness before returning against the Nets. He went to the bench late in the third quarter one rebound shy of his 145th career triple-double and the Nuggets leading by 18.
Brooklyn rallied to get within five, and Jokic returned and had 9 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds in the fourth quarter.
Jokic got his 10th rebound after Westbrook blocked Keon Johnson‘s shot with 6:51 left.
Westbrook had four assists in the fourth to record his 202nd career triple-double, which is the NBA record. It was his third triple-double this season and first in Denver.
HONOLULU — J.J. Spaun got up-and-down for birdie on the par-5 18th hole Saturday for a 5-under 65, the final birdie giving him a one-shot lead at the Sony Open going into a final round where more than a dozen players remain in the mix.
Spaun mixed bogeys with birdies over the final four holes at windy Waialae, the dropped shots costing him and Patrick Fishburn a chance to create separation.
Instead, it’s the same old scene along the shores just east of Waikiki Beach. This old-school course with its doglegs, deep bunkers and unpredictable Bermuda rough has a way of keeping the top of the leaderboard bunched until the end.
Germany’s Stephen Jaeger, best known as the only player to beat Scottie Scheffler in the Houston Open during Scheffler’s most dominant stretch last year, had nine birdies in a 62 and wasn’t sure where that would leave him when he finished.
He was one shot behind, along with Fishburn (68) and Eric Cole (67).
Jaeger was six shots behind going into the third round. He also had 40 players between him and the two players atop the leaderboard.
“You’re in limbo at that point,” Jaeger said. “You’re either going to have a great round and have a chance or … to shoot a great round and be in contention is nice.”
Fishburn, in his Sony debut as a second-year player out of Utah, was the only player to reach 14 under thanks to his birdie on the par-5 ninth to go out in 31 and create some separation. But he made only one birdie the rest of the way, blasting a drive 360 yards with the wind at his back and hitting a flip wedge that rolled over the cup. He also made three bogeys, and he failed to birdie the par 5 closing hole.
Spaun was at 13-under 197.
“I’ve felt pretty calm and relaxed out there. It’s been a fun week here in Hawaii,” he said. “It’s always laid back and easygoing. I’ve been carrying that mindset on the course, and it’s easy to feel that way when things are going your way and you’re playing well. Just try to hone in on that tomorrow and see what happens.”
Fishburn dropping a few shots brought many back into the tournament.
Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley birdied his last two holes for a 64 and was in the group two shots behind that included Nick Taylor of Canada (65), former British Open champion Brian Harman (66) and Nico Echavarria of Chile, the Zozo Championship winner in Japan last fall who played bogey-free in the wind for a 66.
“As soon as we made the turn there, the conditions got quite a bit harder,” Fishburn said. “A lot of the wind was hard off the left with pins on the left, so it was a tricky setup.”
The group three shots behind included Lucas Glover and Gary Woodland, who returned from brain surgery at the Sony Open a year ago.
Woodland, who had a second straight 66, has played at Waialae enough to know it’s usually bunched — Justin Thomas was the exception in 2017 when he set the PGA Tour’s scoring record at 253 — and that a winner can come out of nowhere.
“If you can get hot, you can make a run,” Woodland said. “It wouldn’t shock me if someone came from behind and posted a number. Everything is trending in the right direction. A couple of guys posted a good number. Hopefully, that’s me tomorrow.”
Jaeger stood out with the low round of the tournament. He made a pair of 20-foot birdies on the front nine — he started on No. 10 — and got a big boost after a birdie from just under 60 feet on the eighth hole. He finished with a wedge to 4 feet for birdie on the par-5 ninth.
“I played pretty aggressively off the tee, a lot of drivers. If I can get them in the fairways, I’ll have a lot of shorter shots in,” Jaeger said. “If you miss the fairways, you’re going to have to be creative to get those balls on the greens and get good birdie putts. Nothing will change. Game feels nice, so I’m excited about tomorrow.”
In the digital streaming era, one of the biggest flexes an artist can have is being a member of Spotify’s Billions Club, a playlist that highlights every song that has been streamed more than 1 billion times on the platform. Among the nearly 500 artists who have graced the glorified list are Mariah Carey (“All I Want for Christmas Is You”), Rihanna (“Needed Me”), Fleetwood Mac (“Dreams”), Kendrick Lamar (“All the Stars” featuring SZA), Billie Eilish (“Ocean Eyes”), but the distinction of having the most tracks — 24 to be exact — to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify belongs to the Weeknd.
To commemorate this milestone, the Toronto pop star teamed up with Spotify to host an intimate, invite-only concert with nearly 2,000 of his biggest fans — his top 10% listeners on the platform — on Tuesday night at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.
“It’s a little holiday gift for the OG XO fans supporting me [since] Day 1,” the Weeknd said during his 70-minute set. “2024 is almost done, but 2025, we got some new s— coming out. New album. New tour. New movie. New everything. We’re shutting this s— down.” His upcoming album “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” which is the third and final installment of his “After Hours” / “Dawn FM” trilogy,” will be supported by a psychological thriller starring the singer born Abel Tesfaye, alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan.
With the support of his longtime collaborator Mike Dean (on the keys) and guitarist Patrick Greenaway, the Weeknd performed 20 of the 24 songs that landed him on the Billions Club playlist including “Blinding Lights” (the most streamed song on Spotify), “The Hills,” “Can’t Feel My Face,” and “After Hours.” He also performed three additional songs for the energetic crowd, who knew every word, including “São Paulo,” “Timeless,” and “Wicked Games.”
“I know that song didn’t hit a billion, but I felt like I had to do it,” he said about “Wicked Games.” “It’s necessary, at least one ‘House of Balloons’ song.”
Fans started lining up overnight at 4 a.m. for the highly anticipated show and a few folks traveled from Newark, N.J., for the chance to get inside even though they didn’t have tickets to the event. (Unfortunately, the aforementioned Jersey fans didn’t make it inside because they didn’t have a ticket.) The special night featured food trucks including L.A.’s beloved Kogi Korean BBQ, an open bar (for attendees 21 and up) and the Weeknd merchandise — all of which was free to attendees.
Fans take photos at the Weeknd’s show with Spotify on Tuesday at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
For an international superstar like the Weeknd, who regularly sells out arenas and stadiums around the globe, the event was a chance for fans to experience his music in a personal setting. In fact, it was likely the first time since his early days that he’s performed for an audience of fewer than 2,000 people. “It feels like back in the ‘Kiss Land’ tour,” he said. “Maybe after the stadium tour, we’ll go back to smaller venues. I like this.”
Ashley Graver, who leads artist partnerships and is head of pop, dance and indie at Spotify, says the Weeknd and his team were involved throughout the entire process of putting together the show, including on the merch design, stage and sound design.
“This milestone really shows how massive the Weeknd’s impact is around the world,” she said. “His success is a testament to his artistry and his constant drive to push creative boundaries. Right now, ‘Blinding Lights’ is the most-streamed song on Spotify, even four years after it came out, which just goes to show how much staying power he has and how loyal his fans are.”
Before the show, we caught up with attendees to ask them about their fandom and what it means to be invited to such an exclusive event.
Elijah Shen Muralles, 21, left, and Cole Dizon, 20, attend the Weeknd’s show with Spotify on Tuesday in Santa Monica.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Cole Dizon and Elijah Shen Muralles
Age: Dizon: 20 Shen Muralles: 21
Neighborhood: Dizon: Lancaster Shen Muralles: South Gate
How long have you been a fan of the Weeknd? Dizon: About two years ago, one of my friends showed me a few songs — some of the mainstream ones like “Die For You” and “Blinding Lights.” I knew he was a household name, but once I started getting into the groove of it, I was like “OK, he’s pretty good.” Eventually, I went to his Spotify profile and started listening to more of his songs. I was like, “Hold on. I can see why he’s so popular. The trend has motion to it.” So I started listening to him more and more.
Shen Muralles: I would hear him here and there and he was always one of the big celebrities, but I didn’t really get deep into it until maybe like a year or two ago. My friend was just blasting his music all the time and I was like, “You know what, I’m going to hear this artist out.” After a few songs, I realized, “Oh my gosh. He’s one of the best sounding artists I’ve ever heard. I should’ve hopped onto the bandwagon sooner.”
What’s your favorite song by the Weeknd? Dizon: “I Feel It Coming.” Daft Punk is a classic. When the song dropped, I wasn’t on the bandwagon yet but listening to it recently I was like, first off, I remember this song. [Secondly], I’ve been sleeping on this because this is straight heat.
Shen Muralles: “House of Balloons.” I’m a big fan of the first half. The second half is still really good. However, I think the first half, it’s just the beat, the lyrics, it really just gets me in the mood. Also, “Stargirl Interlude.” I’m a bit of a Lana Del Rey fan. Her voice just hard carries that song.
How does it feel to be at this exclusive show? Dizon: It’s super surreal. When I got the email [invite] from Spotify, I didn’t believe it was real… We got here and saw the line and I was like, “Holy smokes! This is actually legitimate.” We were stressing in line cause we thought we weren’t going to get in… I’m going to see him in like four weeks from now [at his tour], so to me this is not only a wonderful surprise, but it’s a great love letter to his fans.
Shen Muralles: I’m not one to drop a whole lot of money to go to concerts, so to get to come to something like this with Spotify is like, “Wow, this is crazy.” I’m just so grateful to be here because this is like a once in a lifetime opportunity for me… This is a Christmas gift right here.
Friends America Maldonado, left, Maya Garcia and Kessai Suksanguan were among the first people in line at the Weeknd’s Spotify show in Santa Monica.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
America Maldonado, Maya Garcia and Kessai Suksanguan
Age: Maldonado: 21 Garcia: 21 Suksanguan: 19
Neighborhood: Maldonado: Downtown L.A. Garcia: Bellflower Suksanguan: Long Beach
How long have you been a fan of the Weeknd? Maldonado: Since I was 13. I would listen to his mixtapes.
Garcia: Probably since middle school.
Suksanguan: Around middle school. I would hear him a lot on the radio.
What’s your favorite song by the Weeknd? Maldonado: “Adaptation.” It’s just a beautiful story. If you listen to [the album] “Kiss Land,” every song ends and it just continues on with the story.
Garcia: I know it’s basic, but I’m going to say “Earned It.” It’s super catchy and it highlights his voice, which I love.
Suksanguan: “After Hours.” I really like the style of that whole album and that time period for him.
How does it feel to be at this exclusive show? Maldonado: It feels amazing. Unfortunately, I’ve only seen him perform live twice. I’ve been listening to him for so long, but to be a part of this free event where I feel comfortable, is great.
Garcia: I’m honestly so glad that he’s doing this show in L.A. I just love being here in L.A.
Suksanguan: I think it’s just really special that it was free and invite only, so it makes us feel really wanted and really special. And the fact that it’s close to us too, it’s really convenient.
Hamza Akmal, left, Adeeb Ali and Ameer Ali attend the Weeknd’s Billions Club show in collaboration with Spotify on Tuesday at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Hamza Akmal, Adeeb Ali and Ameer Ali
Age: Ameer: 25 Adeeb: 28 Akmal: 29
Neighborhood: Ameer: Whittier Adeeb: West Covina Akmal: Culver City
How long have you been a fan of the Weeknd? Ameer: The Drake collabs made me a fan. The songs were very unique. I’d never heard anything like that at the time. Adeeb: I became a fan when I heard him on “Crew Love” with Drake. I was like, “This guy is good.” Akmal: I became a fan around high school [around] like 2011. A couple of my friends liked to explore a lot of new music and they told me to check him out, so I’ve been listening since then.
What’s your favorite song by the Weeknd? Ameer: I’m a big Michael Jackson fan. I love how the Weeknd did “Dirty Diana” [with his song] “D.D.” Adeeb: “Out of Time.” It’s just so pretty. He sampled some Japanese city pop and it sounded really nice. Akmal: Probably “The Hills.” It’s just too catchy for me. I just love the beat of it and everything.
How does it feel to be at this exclusive show? Ameer: It’s exciting. Adeeb: It seemed a little too good to be true. I was like, “Are we being set up right now?” And like, no, it’s just super cool. Akmal: Coming to this, I didn’t really know what to expect, but based on what I’m seeing, it’s really cool to be here.
Mother and daughter, Kenyah Moore, 18, and Shenita Moore, 48, attend a show put on by Spotify to celebrate the Weeknd on Tuesday.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Shenita and Kenyah Moore
Age: Kenyah: 18 Shenita: 48
Neighborhood: Kenyah: Santa Monica Shenita: Santa Monica
How long have you been a fan of the Weeknd? Kenyah: He’s just always been there. Growing up, he’s one of the most popular artists of my generation. Shenita: I’m just here supporting her, but I am familiar with his music.
What’s your favorite song by the Weeknd? Kenyah: “In the Night.” I like the story that it tells.
How does it feel to be at this exclusive show? Kenyah: I’m glad I saw the email. It’s a pretty cool thing that he achieved — to get that many songs over 1 billion [streams].
Grace Chandler, left, Jessie Sheridan and Isabella Elsesser were among the nearly 2,000 fans who were invited to attend the Weeknd’s Spotify show.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Grace Chandler, Jessie Sheridan and Isabella Elsesser
Age: Chandler: 20 Sheridan: 20 Elsesser: 19
Neighborhood: Chandler: Long Beach Sheridan: San Luis Obispo Elsesser: Long Beach
How long have you been a fan of the Weeknd? Chandler: It had to have been when I was in the fifth grade when “The Hills” came out. Everyone was singing that song and I would play it 24/7 with my mom and my sister. Respectfully. It was just the beat. It just started from there.
Sheridan: Since the third grade. My sister put me on. I have no idea what album it was, but that was my life. I’ve been singing his music since the third grade. He will always and forever be my guy.
Elsesser: I heard about him from “The Hills” but it was the Echos Remix. There’s a woman who sings it in a house, dubstep kind of way and I was always into dubstep. I was like, “Yes. Yes. I love this.”
What’s your favorite song by the Weeknd? Chandler: “Stargirl Interlude” and “Save Your Tears.” Sheridan: “Stargirl Interlude.” Elsesser: “The Morning” [starts singing song]. It’s empowering. I feel like I’m the girl. I’m like “Yeah, I’m the money. I’m the motive.” I also love “São Paulo” with Anitta. It’s so fire.
How does it feel to be at this exclusive show? Chandler: Unreal! Sheridan: So exciting. Elsesser: I’m excited to dance.
Zachary Cutting, 37, of Belmont, Calif., wears an exclusive hoodie from the Weeknd’s Spotify Billions Club performance on Tuesday.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Zachary Cutting
Age: 37
Neighborhood: Belmont, Calif.
How long have you been a fan of the Weeknd? I was doing security at the Fonda Theatre, but he wasn’t popular yet. I heard him performing. He did the “Dirty Diana” song and I liked that, so from then on, I followed his career and I’ve been a fan ever since.
What’s your favorite song by the Weeknd? “Is There Someone Else?” Sometimes I be wondering… with the person I’m talking to, like, “Is there someone else?” [laughs]
How does it feel to be at this exclusive show? I’ve only seen him perform that one time, so I’m excited.
Carmen Flores, 25, and Marco De La Cruz, 26, of Maywood arrived at the Barker Hangar early so they could attend the Weeknd’s Billions Club show with Spotify.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Carmen Flores and Marco De La Cruz
Age: Flores: 25 De La Cruz: 26
Neighborhood: Maywood
How long have you been a fan of the Weeknd? Flores: I think I was in middle school. My sister asked if I ever heard of his music.
De La Cruz: Around 2015-2016, probably during the “Trilogy” era.
What’s your favorite song by the Weeknd? Flores: “Faith.” First of all, I think it’s a very fun song. Just meaning of faith and how it transitions into [the next song, “Blinding Lights”]. It’s very underrated.
De La Cruz: “After Hours.” Just the whole production on that song and his vocals.
How does it feel to be at this exclusive show? Flores: It means everything. But I will be seeing him again next month and I also saw him with Mike Dean on March 1 at the Wiltern when he came out with Travis Scott and it was the best thing ever.
David Reyes, 19, of Riverside became a fan of the Weeknd after his sister put him onto the pop star’s “Starboy” album.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
David Reyes
Age: 19
Neighborhood: Riverside
How long have you been a fan of the Weeknd? My sister put me on when “Starboy” came out. She always played it.
What’s your favorite song by the Weeknd? “Die For You” for sure. It’s just a classic. 10/10.
How does it feel to be at this exclusive show? It’s very unique how Spotify and Abel are doing this for his fans. It’s just cool how artists actually care for their fans.
Catherine Carrasco, 25, and Jonathan Serna, 26, were among the first fans in line at the Weeknd’s exclusive Billions Club show put on by Spotify.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Jonathan Serna and Catherine Carrasco
Age: Carrasco: 25 Serna: 26
Neighborhood: Carrasco: Santa Ana Serna: Santa Ana
How long have you been a fan of the Weeknd? Carrasco: In 2015. I was a sophomore in high school. I think the first song that I listened to by him was “The Morning” and I got introduced to his music by an ex-boyfriend. [laughs] I got this hoodie a while ago and then his first concert I went to was the “Starboy” [tour]. Serna: When “Starboy” released, I kept listening to it on repeat like crazy. After that, I listened to everything he’s made and I became a fan. I wasn’t a big fan until “After Hours” [though].
What’s your favorite song by the Weeknd? Carrasco: That’s such a hard question. I think “The Birds Pt. 1” and Pt. 2. I love every song by him, but I have those on repeat. He’s No. 1 on my Spotify Wrapped every year. Serna: “After Hours.” He was No. 1 on my Wrapped.
How does it feel to be at this exclusive show? Carrasco: I’m like shaking. I’m excited. I’ve seen him a couple of times, but this is a free event. Serna: It’s amazing. I didn’t think I was going to get it. When I got the [email], I just went on break at my job. They gave you like 20 minutes to respond and I know she would’ve killed me if I didn’t.
Katherine Martinez, left, Jorge Martinez and Angelina Bomar flew to L.A. from New Jersey for the chance to attend the Weeknd’s Spotify show.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Jorge Martinez
Age: 20
Neighborhood: We live in Newark, N.J. I saw a couple of TikToks like two days ago about the Spotify event. Unfortunately, we’re on Apple Music so we didn’t get the invite, but I was like maybe Abel might stop and sign our vinyl. She has on her “After Hours” hoodie. We came here for the SoFi show in November for the three-year anniversary. [Then we came back for this], so we traveled a long way.
How long have you been a fan of the Weeknd? I’ve been a big fan since “After Hours” came out. It was really good. It was a dream seeing him in concert [at his recent show]. The next dream is hopefully meeting him.
What’s your favorite song by the Weeknd? “After Hours.” The way it slowly transitions to the beat drop — I like the 808s.
You flew out to L.A. just for the chance to see the show even though you don’t have tickets. Why was it important to you? It would mean a lot for us to make it inside of the show or even to meet him, that would be amazing too. We’re planning to maybe fly out to the Rose Bowl show. But we got to try it out.
The home seen in “Scissors,” a new song and music video from Julia Michaels and Maren Morris, burned down in the wildfires that have devastated Los Angeles.
The pair made the video in Altadena, Michaels mentioned in an Instagram post on Friday (Jan. 10), the release day for her latest single with Morris. On YouTube, she shared a message that they’d learned the home’s owners, a couple with two young children, had since lost their house. (One of the L.A. region’s wildfires, the Eaton Fire, started in Altadena on Jan. 7; high winds turned it into a firestorm that destroyed “as many as 5,000 structures” in this area of L.A. County, the New York Times reported.)
“The house we shot the Scissors video in has been wiped out due to the wildfires in LA,” Michaels wrote in a comment on YouTube, pinned for viewers to see. “I feel so deeply sad for the family that lent their home to us to create this video. I just have no words for the devastation that has transpired in such a short span of time. If you are able to give anything to help this family rebuild donate here.”
She shared the link to a GoFundMe started by a friend of the family facing the loss of their home. As of Saturday (Jan. 11), the fund’s donation goal is close to being met.
In an Instagram Story, Morris wrote, “the house we just shot Scissors in sadly was lost in the fires. it was a cute family’s home… I got ready in their kid’s bathroom. now it’s this. between floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, ugh. my heart breaks for every child who doesn’t get to go home, the animals displaced. my heart breaks for mother earth.”
For health alerts, evacuation updates and shelter information amid the ongoing wildfires in California, go to L.A. County’s emergency website here. A list of organizations helping those impacted by the wildfires is here.
In her Instagram post about “Scissors” on Friday, Michaels had said, “I hope you like this video as much as we enjoyed making it and that it captures a little of the magic and beauty that is Altadena foothills,” after praising Morris and the team behind the shoot: “So proud of this video and getting to create this song with some truly incredible people. @marenmorris, I am so in awe of you, your voice, your talent, the woman you are. What an honor it is that I get to sing with you AGAIN.”
The music video for “Scissors” is a cheeky one that matches the lighthearted tone of the pop tune, with the ladies singing about cutting a lover off, and out, of their life. Michaels and Morris coyly play on the lyrics with visual references of actual scissors (and scissorhands) coming for a man in bed … and end the clip with the sound of a quick snip.
“Scissors” is the first single of 2025 from both artists, and it follows their 2024 collab, “Cut!” Morris teased their new song ahead of its release in a red carpet interview with Billboard at the Golden Globes last weekend, saying, “Y’all are not ready. It’s so, so good. The video is so funny.”
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As reported by the Mirror, each treatment takes 30-60 minutes, with Dr Dent promising comparable results to professional teeth whitening at a clinic. The ingredients are all ethically sourced and natural, giving peace of mind.
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A second explained: “In photos where I would normally be embarrassed to show my teeth when smiling, I have had the confidence to smile showing my teeth.” Sadly not everyone was left impressed, as another shopper noted: “They seem to work temporarily but not for long term results”.
There’s plenty of positive feedback in the reviews secion, however another customer noted a downside: “Definitely a noticeable difference in colour even after one application. Fiddly strips that don’t stick too well though.”
Another individual commented on the simplicity: “What stood out to me was how simple and convenient it is. The instructions were super clear, and it didn’t take much time to see results. After just a few uses, I could already tell my teeth were noticeably whiter. The best part? No sensitivity at all.”
You can buy Dr. Dent’s Professional Teeth Whitening Strips here. For those wanting to explore alternatives, MySweetSmile offers 21 treatments for £19.99 (reduced from £24.99). There’s also Whites Beaconsfield Teeth Whitening Strips on sale at Superdrug for £14.99 (originally £19.99).
The Vanderpump Rules spinoff The Valley is returning for a second season. The series premiered in March 2024, ushering in Kristen Doute, Brittany Cartwright, and Jax Taylor’s grand return to the Bravoverse. The first season proved a successful investment for the network with 2.8 million viewers tuning into the first episode. Much about Season 2 is still under wraps but we know the show returns in 2025.
Here are all the questions we have ahead of the premiere.
What’s going on with Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright on Season 2 of The Valley?
Vanderpump Rules fans know Jax and Brittany’s relationship has never been smooth sailing but somehow, we were still shocked when the couple announced their separation in February 2024. Brittany shared the news on an episode of When Reality Hits, telling viewers, “I made the decision to move into another home to take some space for the sake of my mental health.” In an interview with Page Six the following month, Brittany said she felt taken for granted in the relationship, telling the outlet Jax would need to make some changes for her to return to the home.
“I asked him to do little things — four little things — and … go to therapy was one of them. He hasn’t done that yet,” she said in March 2024. “So there’s little things that I’ve asked him to do. We’ll see if he does it all, but we’ll also see if it changes anything.”
The couple filed for divorce seven months after announcing their separation, citing “irreconcilable differences” in legal documents obtained by E!
Jax and Brittany’s separation sparked questions about how the two will be able to co-exist on a TV show. TMZ reported that the former couple have been keeping their distance while filming Season 2. In August 2024, an insider told People magazine that the two are not “capable of being in the same room together or being in communication with one another.”
Will Jesse and Michelle Lally film together on Season 2 of The Valley?
Jax and Brittany aren’t the only couple that called it quits after Season 1 of The Valley. Jesse and Michelle Lally filed for divorce in October 2023. Michelle spoke about the split during an appearance on When Reality Hits in April 2024, stating, “I had the conversation with Jesse at the beginning of October that it was no longer going to work and I wanted to file for divorce.” Fans weren’t surprised by the couple’s decision given the volatile nature of their relationship.
Jesse and Michelle will be returning for Season 2 of The Valley, which raises questions about whether the two will film together or not. Michelle told Us Weekly that she and Jesse did in fact film together, describing the experience as “challenging.”
“It was incredibly hard at times,” she shared. “We have so many ups and downs and just trying to navigate that at times can be challenging.”
What role will Scheana Shay, Tom Schwartz, and Lala Kent have in Season 2 of The Valley?
Vanderpump Rules alums Scheana Shay, Tom Schwartz, and Lala Kent will make cameos in the upcoming season of The Valley. The extent of their appearance in the series is unknown. In November, Bravo announced that VPR would be rebooted for Season 12 with an entirely new cast which means the OGs will be looking for work to fill their time. It appears that Scheana, Lala, and Schwartz are not main cast members in Season 2 but that could change if the series is renewed. Scheana spoke about her connection to the series during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, telling host Andy Cohen she is “very close” with the cast.
“I mean, you saw me around with them a lot this summer, so…,” she said when asked about a potential cameo on the show.
Miss Scarlet is back for Season 5; the Duke is not. Since Stuart Martin has left the Masterpiece series formerly titled Miss Scarlet and the Duke, Kate Phillips’ Eliza Scarlet is now taking on Victorian criminals without her friend at Scotland Yard.
Actors who are returning from previous seasons, however, include Evan McCabe as Detective Fitzroy, Cathy Belton as Ivy, Felix Scott as Patrick Nash, Paul Bazely as Clarence, Simon Ludders as Mr. Potts, and Tim Chipping as Detective Phelps.
Before Miss Scarlet’s fifth season premiere on Sunday, January 12 at 8/7c on PBS, see where other alums from the show have ended up.
Miss Scarlet, Season 5 Premiere, Sunday, January 12, 8/7c, PBS
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KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on allies on Sunday to honour all promises to supply Ukraine with weapons, including those to counter Russian air attacks.
Zelenskiy said that over the past week Russian forces had launched hundreds of strikes on Ukraine and nearly 700 aerial bombs and over 600 attack drones were used.
Ukrainian air defences downed 60 out of 94 drones launched by Russia overnight, the air force said on Sunday. It said that 34 drones were “lost”, in reference to Ukraine’s use of electronic warfare to redirect Russian drones.
“Every week, the Russian war continues only because the Russian army retains its ability to terrorise Ukraine and exploit its superiority in the sky,” Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app.
He called on Ukraine’s allies to fulfil agreements already made.
“The decisions made at the NATO summit in Washington, as well as those adopted during the Ramstein meetings regarding air defences for Ukraine, have still not been fully implemented,” Zelenskiy said.
Ukraine’s leader this week said he had discussed with partners and the United States the possibility of granting Ukraine licenses to produce air defence systems and missiles.
