The Universal Music Group has kicked off 2026 with the first big investment of the year: its Universal Music India subsidiary is taking a 30% stake in Indian film and digital content studio Excel Entertainment, a deal that values the latter enterprise at approximately $257 million, the companies announced today (Jan. 5). At that valuation, UMG’s investment works out to just north of $77 million.

The deal gives Universal global distribution rights for all of Excel’s original soundtracks moving forward, including those created for Excel’s popular musical drama projects, and will include the launch of a new Excel record label. Universal Music Publishing Group will also become Excel’s global exclusive publishing partner, while UMG’s chairman/CEO of Universal Music India & South Asia and senior vp of strategy, Africa, Middle East and Asia Devraj Sanyal will join Excel’s board of directors. A press release says that Excel’s founders Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar will remain in charge of overseeing content and creative direction.

“India’s entertainment landscape continues to grow from strength to strength, and this is the perfect moment to build meaningful global collaborations,” Sidhwani and Akhtar said in a joint statement announcing the deal. “We’re excited to partner with UMG in what we believe will be a truly creative and transformative alliance—one that unlocks fresh opportunities for artists and repertoire across music, film and emerging formats. Together, we aim to take culturally rooted stories to the world.”

Added Vishal Ramchandani, Excel’s CEO, “This partnership with UMG marks a pivotal step in our journey to broaden creative opportunities and tell Indian stories with a global lens. With a shared vision for innovation and excellence, we aim to transform Excel into a creative global studio — one that brings clutter-breaking, original content to audiences across platforms and geographies.”

The deal marks another foray into the Indian market for the U.S.-based music business, which has increasingly turned its attentions to the fast-rising subcontinent in recent years. Last February, Republic Records launched a joint venture with Savan Kotecha to find the next Indian pop boy band, while Warner Music’s Canadian and Indian operations (the latter of which was launched in 2022) founded a joint-venture label called 91 North Records in 2022, and in July HYBE announced it was exporting its K-pop model to India. Recently, several other labels, publishers and DSPs have broadened their reach in the region. India boasts the world’s largest population, but is the 15th-biggest recorded music market in the world, according to IFPI’s latest figures, suggesting plenty of room for growth in the industry. India is also a fast-growing concert hub, with the likes of Ed Sheeran, John Mayer and Coldplay making waves with shows in the country. 

“Today’s announcement further strengthens UMG’s position in India, a dynamic and strategically important music market for the group globally,” said UMG’s CEO of Africa, Middle East and Asia Adam Granite in a statement. “Original soundtracks remain at the heart of India’s fast-growing music market, with Indian listeners showing a growing desire to access more music in that genre. By investing in and partnering with Excel Entertainment, UMG will be uniquely positioned to contribute from the earliest stage to Excel’s future endeavors and throughout the creative process, providing huge benefits to both parties.”

“Farhan and Ritesh have built an exceptionally impressive business, and we’re thrilled to be working with them on the next phase of their journey,” Sanyal commented. “The Indian film scene presents a hugely exciting opportunity for music and the music-led entertainment business, and Excel is the perfect partner for us to work with going forward.”

Excel, founded in 1999, has released over 40 film and original shows over the past quarter century, according to a press release, which also notes that Indian film and TV soundtracks are often re-listened to compared to other genres and formats in the country, which UMG hopes to tap into. AZB & Partners served as legal counsel and KPMG served as transaction advisor to UMG for the deal; for Excel, Khaitan & Co. acted as legal counsel, Ernst & Young as transaction advisor, and Morgan Stanley as financial advisors. 

Hugh Jackman already thought that having a karaoke sleepover at Neil Diamond‘s was the pinnacle of his relationship with the “Sweet Caroline” singer. But over the weekend, the actor notched yet another career high moment with Diamond when the Grammy-winning superstar sent him a very special gift.

Jackman is currently on the big screen in the role of Mike “Lightning” Sardina, the lead singer of a Diamond tribute act Thunder & Lightning in the heartwarming musical drama Song Sung Blue. In a video posted on Sunday (Jan. 4), Jackman reacts with shock upon opening an instrument case containing an acoustic guitar signed by Diamond.

Staring at the six-string, a speechless Jackman stares at the camera in awe exclaiming, “oh… my…” before gingerly taking the guitar out, swiping at the signature (which reads “Hugh, Keep rocking! Your friend, Neil Diamond) to make sure it’s real and asking, “that’s from Neil Diamond?” The brief clip ends with Jackman closing his eyes as he lovingly hugs the unexpected keepsake and says, “thank you Neil.”

“One of the most awesome gifts I’ve ever received and will cherish forever,” Jackman wrote in the caption of the post that also included a shot of the 84-year-old Diamond holding up the axe and giving a thumbs-up; Diamond announced his retirement from touring in 2018 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Jackman stars alongside Kate Hudson in the film released on Christmas Day that is based on the true story of a Milwaukee Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder. In December, Jackman appeared on The Graham Norton Show, where he revealed that a weepy Diamond called him after watching the movie to say that he loved it.

“So I took the opportunity. I said, ‘Guys, I’d love to come around and have a cuppa or something,’” Jackman said of his pitch to Diamond to get together for a coffee. “And Neil’s like, ‘Okay, yeah, all right.’ And then I didn’t hear from Neil anymore. And [Diamond’s wife] Katie obviously takes the phone and goes, ‘You know we’re in Colorado?’ I went, ‘Okay, I’d still like to come for a cuppa,’ and she was like, ‘So I guess you want to stay the night?’ I’m like, ‘That’d be great.’ And she’s like, ‘Okay.’”

So Jackman flew out to Colorado to visit Diamond and they had dinner and ended up doing karaoke together that night.

Paris Jackson has shared a candid message about sobriety and mental health, offering support to others navigating similar paths.

The singer, model and actor posted the message to Instagram alongside a montage of moments from the past year, reflecting on her experiences since becoming sober in 2020.

Jackson, the only daughter of Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe, has been open about her recovery journey and mental health struggles in recent years.

“Getting sober ain’t always the indication that life is perfect,” Jackson wrote. “A few years in, it all got very, very hard for what felt like an eternity.”

She continued, “I didn’t have the same survival skills I was used to having to cope. I had to learn to live life on life’s terms.”

Jackson also addressed the mental health challenges she has faced during her sobriety, naming several conditions in her post.

“Treatment-resistant major depressive disorder is a b–ch, so is PTSD and OCD,” she wrote. “If you’ve got this s–t or anything of the sort, you’re not alone. Hang in there, and if no one’s told you they love you today, I love you.”

The post arrives as Jackson continues to mark milestones in her recovery. In January 2025, she reflected publicly on reaching five years of sobriety, sharing another message on Instagram.

“Hi, I’m PK, and I’m an alcoholic and a heroin addict,” she wrote at the time. “Today marks 5 years clean and sober from all drugs and alcohol. To say that I’m thankful would be a poor euphemism. Gratitude hardly scratches the surface.”

In that earlier post, Jackson also spoke about the everyday experiences that sobriety has allowed her to reconnect with.

“I get to make music. I get to experience the joy of loving my dogs and cat. I get to feel heartbreak in all its glory,” she wrote. “I get to grieve. I get to laugh. I get to dance. I get to trust. I feel the sun on my skin, and it’s warm.”

Alongside her advocacy and openness around mental health, Jackson has continued to build a career in entertainment across multiple fields. She has released music as a solo artist, including her 2020 debut album Wilted, while also working as an actor and model.

Timothée Chalamet used his Best Actor win at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards to publicly thank longtime partner Kylie Jenner, delivering one of the night’s most talked-about acceptance speeches.

The actor won the award for his performance in Marty Supreme, in which he plays Marty Mauser, a professional table tennis player chasing an ambitious goal.

After thanking his fellow nominees, his team and the film’s director, Josh Safdie, Chalamet turned his attention to Jenner, who was seated in the audience.

“And lastly, I’ll just say, thank you to my partner of three years. Thank you for our foundation,” Chalamet said from the stage. “I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so much,” he added.

Cameras quickly cut to Jenner in the audience, who responded by mouthing “I love you” back to the actor, drawing cheers from the room and instant reaction across social media. The moment marked one of the couple’s most public displays since they began appearing together at major industry events.

Chalamet, visibly emotional, admitted early in his speech that the moment had hit him harder than expected.

“I’m more nervous than I thought I’d be,” he said, before shifting focus to the creative team behind Marty Supreme. He singled out co-writer and director Josh Safdie for crafting a story that centers on ambition without moralizing its subject.

“You made a story about a flawed man with a relatable dream, and you didn’t preach to the audience about what’s right and wrong,” Chalamet said. “I think we should all be telling stories like that. Thank you for this dream.”

The Best Actor category was one of the evening’s most competitive, with Chalamet beating out Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent).

In addition to Chalamet, Marty Supreme’s cast includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, Shark Tank‘s Kevin O’Leary, Fran Drescher, Sandra Bernhard, magician Penn Jillette and Abel Ferrara.

Marty Supreme opened with over $27 million at the box office, according to Variety, in its four-day opening set following its Christmas Day (Dec. 25) release.

Ariana Grande made her first public appearance of 2026 at the Critics Choice Awards, where she gave fans more than just her award nomination and her stunning dress to discuss.

The Wicked star, nominated for best supporting actress at Sunday’s (Jan. 4) ceremony at Barkar Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., spoke about her upcoming Eternal Sunshine Tour that’s set to launch in June. It’s her first tour in six years.

“I’ve been working on the set list for months now,” she revealed to Live From E! on the carpet, which she graced in a pale pink gown with an elegant cape effect and silver floral embellishments — a custom Alberta Ferretti design. “It’s in a good place, but we’ll never know until we get into the rehearsals — which are starting very soon — and we put things on their feet if it’ll make sense or not.”

Grande’s sold-out Eternal Sunshine Tour marks the star’s first concert trek since her Sweetener World Tour, which wrapped in 2019.

As for what fans can expect to hear at the new show, Grande’s lips are sealed: “I want to let it be a surprise.”

She added, “I am grateful to work, and I’m excited for the tour.”

To complement her romantic Alberta Ferretti gown, the singer/actress wore Christian Louboutin heels (a custom Cassie Lace Up design) and debuted a hair color refresh at the Critics Choice Awards, opting for an auburn shade of locks styled in a loosely curled updo with sideswept bangs.

Wicked: For Good, the second installment of the hit Wicked movie franchise in which Grande stars as Glinda opposite Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba, was nominated in seven categories at the awards ceremony — including best picture and Grande’s nod for best supporting actress.

The film is also up for the best costume design, which designer Paul Tazwell spoke of on the carpet on Sunday. Grande and Erivo’s iconic Wicked wardrobes get archived by Universal, he told Live From E!, where “they’re held very carefully, thermostatically controlled.”