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Cher Closes Out the Thanksgiving Day Parade With a Festive Performance on November 23, 2023 at 4:58 pm Us Weekly

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Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage

Cher brought down the house when she gave the final performance of the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The pop icon, 77, sang “DJ Play a Christmas Song” during the Thursday, November 23, telecast on NBC. She appeared toward the end of the event before Santa arrived in his sleigh to usher in the beginning of the Christmas season, dressed in a white button-down and black pants. Cher stood on a round platform and was surrounded by dozens of dancers wearing all silver.

Cher landed the gig after announcing in September that she would be dropping her first holiday album titled Christmas the following month. “It’s not your mother’s Christmas album,” she teased on Good Morning Britain at the time.

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Despite her usual hesitancy to collaborate with other artists on her projects, Cher invited Stevie Wonder, Michael Bublé, Cyndi Lauper, Tyga and Darlene Love to be a part of the album. “I’ve never had duets. I’ve never had people on any of my records. This was a last-minute thing,” she noted. “But they’re special: all of them.”

Related: Cher Through the Years: From Sonny’s Sidekick to Goddess of Pop

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There is only one Goddess of Pop — and she needs just one name: Cher. The legendary singer (born Cherilyn Sarkisian) is more than five decades into her mega-successful career, which has spanned the worlds of music, TV, film and fashion. She is just a Tony Award away from becoming an EGOT winner, with an […]

For Cher, the holiday record was new territory that she never thought she would explore. “I had no intention of doing a Christmas album,” she told Billboard in October. “But [Warner Records] said, ‘Why don’t you do a Christmas album, Cher?’ and I said, ‘If I can do my version, I’ll do it,’ and they were very pleasant.”

One of Cher’s stipulations was to exclude some favorite Christmas tunes that have been covered again and again. “Everybody’s gotten ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town’ and ‘Jingle Bells’ and all that,” she explained. “I just said to them, ‘There will be Christmas songs and they’ll be appropriate, but I want to do what I feel.’”

Drop everything. @cher is here.#MacysThanksgivingDayParade pic.twitter.com/Hynn3au02M

— Lance Ulanoff (@LanceUlanoff) November 23, 2023

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While Cher confessed that she is often critical of her own work, even she was thrilled with the way the project — which is her first studio album with original material in 10 years — turned out. “They’re not ‘Christmas Christmas’ songs, OK, they’re just great songs,” she said. “And I never say that because I almost never like what I do. But, I mean, people love it and I’m happy. I’m so particular, but I love the songs and everyone who hears them loves them.”

In addition to her Christmas record, Cher released a deluxe edition of her 1998 album, Believe, on November 3 to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The new version includes the same songs plus 13 remastered remixes. The original album sold more than 11 million copies worldwide, with the title track becoming a timeless hit.

Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage Cher brought down the house when she gave the final performance of the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The pop icon, 77, sang “DJ Play a Christmas Song” during the Thursday, November 23, telecast on NBC. She appeared toward the end of the event before Santa arrived in his sleigh to usher in 

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Kim and Kanye’s Daughter North West Faces Criticism Over Her Tattoos

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North West, the 12-year-old daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, is under the spotlight once again — this time for showing off a collection of tattoos that set social media on fire. In recent photos and videos circulating online, North was seen with several arm designs, including tributes to her parents and fashion-inspired symbols. While fans were quick to admire her bold style, not everyone was impressed.

Critics argue that the tattoos — even though they appear to be temporary — are another example of celebrity children being pushed into adult trends too early. Comments flooded social media platforms, with some users saying Kim allows North too much freedom, while others defended the reality star’s parenting approach, praising her for letting her daughter explore creativity and self-expression.

“Kids should be kids,” one commenter wrote, reflecting a broader sentiment among parents online. Meanwhile, supporters pointed out that North comes from one of the most fashion-forward families in the world and that experimenting with style is part of her upbringing.

Kim Kardashian has not directly addressed the controversy, but she has often spoken about encouraging her children to express themselves authentically. North, already known for her viral TikTok appearances and fashion collaborations, seems unfazed by the criticism.

At just 12, North West continues to blur the lines between youth culture and celebrity identity — reminding the public that in the Kardashian–West household, individuality isn’t just allowed, it’s celebrated.

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Jennifer Lopez’s Ex Fires Back: “You Are the Problem”

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Ojani Noa Accuses J.Lo of Cheating After “Never Been Loved” Comments

Jennifer Lopez is once again at the center of a media storm — but this time, it’s her first husband, Ojani Noa, turning up the heat. Following Lopez’s recent Howard Stern Show interview, in which she claimed she has “never been truly loved” by any of her exes, Noa has publicly accused the superstar of cheating and playing the victim.

In the viral Instagram post that has now spread across major outlets like TMZ and New York Post, Noa didn’t hold back.

“Stop putting us down. Stop putting me down with your victim card,” he wrote. “The problem is not us. Not me. The problem is you. You’re the one who couldn’t keep it in your pants.”

“You Chose Fame and Lies Over Love”

Noa and Lopez were married briefly from 1997 to 1998, before her rise to Hollywood superstardom. In his explosive statement, he accused her of being unfaithful during their marriage, claiming she prioritized fame over their relationship.

“You have been loved a few times. You’ve been married four times. And have had countless relationships in between,” Noa continued. “You decided to lie, to cheat on me. You begged me to keep the marriage intact to avoid bad press.”

Noa described himself as “faithful, honest, and loving,” saying he uprooted his life and career to support Lopez at the beginning of her entertainment journey. “I left my family, my friends, everything behind for you,” he wrote, “but once fame came calling, you left me behind.”​

Lopez Silent Amid Growing Backlash

As of now, Jennifer Lopez has not publicly responded to Noa’s allegations. During her Howard Stern interview, the singer and actress claimed her former partners “weren’t capable” of loving her, saying, “It’s not that I’m not lovable… it’s that they’re not capable.”

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Her remarks were widely interpreted as referencing all of her ex-husbands — including Marc Anthony, Cris Judd, and Ben Affleck — but it was Noa who reacted first and most forcefully. His comments have ignited widespread debate online, with many questioning whether Lopez’s honesty came at the expense of others’ reputations.

Public Response and Media Fallout

The online reaction has been intense, with social media users split between defending Lopez’s right to share her truth and blasting her for allegedly rewriting history. Meanwhile, entertainment analysts note that the controversy adds to an increasingly turbulent year for the singer, following canceled tours, underperforming films, and ongoing scrutiny over her marriage to Affleck.

This latest backlash has also reignited conversations about Lopez’s highly publicized romantic history. As tabloids and fans speculate whether more exes might respond, the situation underscores an old truth in celebrity culture — that every candid confession comes with consequences.

For now, Jennifer Lopez remains silent. But in the court of public opinion, the debate about who’s really at fault in her love story is only just beginning.

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Selling Your Soul in Hollywood: The Hidden Cost of Fame

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By all appearances, Hollywood is a dream factory — a place where charisma, talent, and luck collide to create stars. But behind the camera lights and red carpets lies a conversation few inside the industry speak openly about: the spiritual and moral price of ambition.

For actor Omar Gooding, the idea of “selling your soul” in Hollywood isn’t a metaphor — it’s a moral process that begins with tiny compromises. In an October 2025 interview, Gooding explained that no one in Hollywood makes a literal deal with the devil. Instead, it’s the quiet yeses, the moments when comfort overrides conviction, that mark the beginning of the trade. “They don’t say, ‘Take this or you’ll never make it,’” he said. “They just put it in front of you. You choose.”

Those choices, he argues, create a pattern. Once you show that you’ll accept something you once resisted, the industry notices. “Hollywood knows who it can get away with what,” Gooding said. “One thing always leads to another.” The phrase “selling your soul,” in this context, means losing your say — doing what you’re told rather than what you believe in.

That moral tension has long shadowed the arts. Comedians like Dave Chappelle, who famously walked away from millions to preserve his creative integrity, often serve as examples of where conviction and career collide. In resurfaced interviews, Chappelle hinted that he felt manipulated and silenced by powerful figures who sought control of his narrative, warning that “they’re trying to convince me I’m insane.”

This isn’t just about conspiracy — it’s about agency. Hollywood runs on perception. Performers are rewarded for being agreeable, moldable, entertaining. Those who question the machine or refuse the script risk exile, while those who conform are elevated — sometimes beyond what they can handle.

We see the ‘collections’ all the time,” Gooding explained. “When the bill comes due, you can tell. They made that deal long ago.”

But the story doesn’t end in darkness. Gooding also emphasizes that in today’s entertainment landscape, artists have more control than ever. With streaming, social media, and creator‑driven platforms, performers don’t have to “play the game” to be seen. Independent creators can build their own stages, speak their own truths, and reach millions without trading authenticity for access.

Still, the temptation remains — recognition, validation, quick success. And every generation of artists must answer the same question: What are you willing to do for fame?

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As Gooding put it, “You just make the best choices you can. Because once it’s gone — your name, your peace, your soul — there’s no buying it back.”

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