分类： entertainment

ROME—The global fashion community is in mourning following the announcement from the Valentino Garavani Foundation that the iconic Italian designer passed away at age 93 on Monday. Surrounded by close companions at his Roman residence, the man known mononymously as Valentino leaves behind an unparalleled legacy that shaped haute couture for over six decades.

His departure comes merely months after another Italian fashion titan, Giorgio Armani, passed away, marking a poignant moment for the industry. Tributes poured in immediately from fashion houses, political leaders, and cultural institutions worldwide.

Designer Donatella Versace memorialized him on Instagram as “a true maestro who will forever be remembered for his art,” while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed him as the “undisputed master of style and elegance and eternal symbol of Italian high fashion.”

Valentino’s influence extended beyond the runway, dressing generations of cultural icons from Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy to contemporary stars like Julia Roberts and Gwyneth Paltrow. His signature “Valentino red” gowns became synonymous with luxury and sophistication, while his personal aesthetic—complete with immaculate grooming and beloved pug dogs—embodied the opulence he championed.

The 2008 documentary “The Last Emperor” chronicled his extraordinary career and final collection, cementing his status as a fashion legend. His creative vision transformed the “Made in Italy” label into a global powerhouse, with his 1964 meeting with Jackie Kennedy proving particularly transformative for both his career and American fashion consciousness.

Born in Voghera in 1932, Valentino established his Rome-based fashion house in 1960 after training in Paris. Alongside business partner Giancarlo Giammetti, he built an empire that redefined luxury fashion through successive acquisitions and global expansion.

A public lying in state will be held at his company headquarters near Rome’s Spanish Steps on Wednesday and Thursday, with a funeral scheduled for Friday in the Italian capital.

The collaborative track ‘Toni Ann Singh’ by Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy and Jamaican dancehall artist Popcaan has received official gold certification in Canada. Music Canada, the nation’s leading music industry association, granted this prestigious recognition on Monday, acknowledging the song’s commercial performance equivalent to 40,000 units through combined sales and streaming figures.

Released as part of Burna Boy’s critically acclaimed album ‘Love, Damini’ through Atlantic Records, the track pays homage to its namesake – Toni-Ann Singh, the St. Thomas-born former Miss World titleholder. The song demonstrated remarkable chart performance upon its 2022 release, climbing to the #11 position on Billboard’s US Afrobeats Songs chart during its peak popularity period in July 2022.

The parent album ‘Love, Damini’ has achieved substantial international success, featuring 19 tracks including the hit singles ‘Last Last’ and ‘It’s Plenty’. The project reached impressive chart positions globally, securing the #14 spot on the prestigious Billboard 200 albums chart and achieving #2 on Billboard’s World Albums chart. The album entered the top ten in five countries, including the United Kingdom’s official charts.

International certification achievements for ‘Love, Damini’ include an impressive 5x platinum status in Nigeria, platinum certifications in Canada, Denmark and New Zealand, alongside gold recognitions in Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France. The certified track ‘Toni-Ann Singh’ was produced by Anju Blaxx, contributing to the album’s diverse musical landscape that blends Afrobeats with dancehall influences.

Jamaica’s pageantry scene reaches unprecedented heights as twenty-six contestants prepare to compete for Miss Global Jamaica 2026 this Saturday at the Douglas Orane Auditorium. The national competition coincides with a landmark visit from reigning Miss Global 2025 Nhu Van Nguyen, marking the first official visit by a sitting Miss Global titleholder to the Caribbean nation.

The Vietnamese beauty queen arrives Wednesday accompanied by Jamaica’s own Keri-Ann Greenwood, who achieved remarkable success as both Miss Global Jamaica 2025 and Miss Global 1st Runner-Up. Their joint itinerary includes high-profile diplomatic engagements with government officials and franchise activities that underscore Jamaica’s growing influence within international beauty competitions.

Greenwood expressed profound enthusiasm about hosting her fellow titleholder, stating: ‘Welcoming my sister-queen to Jamaican soil represents more than ceremonial pageantry—it signifies a movement. Our shared commitment extends beyond crowns to creating tangible impact for women locally and globally.’

Jermane Blair, National Director of Miss Global Jamaica, characterized the event as transformational for the nation’s profile. ‘This historic convergence demonstrates how preparation meeting opportunity can reshape international perceptions. Jamaica is no longer merely participating in global pageantry but actively influencing its evolution,’ Blair noted in comments to Observer Online.

The Saturday coronation event at Wolmer’s Boys’ School will not only crown Jamaica’s next representative but also showcase the country’s emerging leadership within the Miss Global Organization framework.

The vibrant tapestry of Jamaican culture takes center stage at the third annual Jamaica Brew Literary and Film Festival, orchestrated by the Consulate of Jamaica in Miami. Scheduled for Saturday, January 31, at the Broward South West Regional Library in Pembroke Pines, the event promises a rich exploration of creative expression. The day commences at 9:00 AM with complimentary Blue Mountain coffee, honoring Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day (January 9), alongside a bustling marketplace for book signings by a diverse ensemble of authors and poets. A compelling schedule of special presentations unfolds throughout the day, culminating in a two-hour short film showcase concluding at 5:00 PM.

Consul General Oliver Mair articulated the festival’s core mission: to platform Jamaica’s creative industries and provide a global stage for its narratives. “It’s an event that’s a platform to tell our stories to the world – about our worth and who we are as a people,” Mair stated. A notable new addition for this year is the ‘Children’s Corner,’ dedicated to the legacy of cultural icon Louise ‘Miss Lou’ Bennett Coverly. This interactive space will feature traditional Ring-Ding games and filmmaking workshops led by writer-director Cleon A. James, set within an area showcasing exhibitions from emerging artists.

The festival’s thematic anchor is resilience, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. This narrative thread will be powerfully woven through video features documenting recovery efforts and a dedicated panel discussion. Acclaimed dub poet Malachi Smith will lead a conversation on this theme, informed by his recent nomadic college tour to schools in hurricane-affected regions. Author and farmer Keith Wedderburn will share his firsthand account from his latest book, ‘Give Thanks For Life – Surviving Hurricane Melissa.’

Serving as a poignant prelude to Black History Month, the festival will also delve into historical cultural resistance. A special presentation will examine the life of Alexander Bedward and his establishment of the Jamaica Native Free Baptist Church, a movement that challenged colonial religious structures. The Talawah Mento Band and Jamaican Folk Revue will perform selections from their upcoming musical ‘Bedward,’ bringing this history to life. The film segment will further celebrate Jamaican legacy with a highlight on the legendary musician Jimmy Cliff.

The event boasts an impressive roster of multidisciplinary talent. Attendees can engage with figures like Sharon Gordon, a multifaceted author and media personality whose audiobook ‘Sheribaby’ is the first in Jamaican dialect to receive Grammy consideration. The festival will also feature Kacy Garvey, Richard Blackford, Simone Russell, storyteller Raul ‘Blaze’ Davis, attorney Kaysia Earley, and communications specialist Gail Abrahams, who will present her debut corporate guide for women, ‘Heels, Hustle, HEART.’

Admission to the Jamaica Brew Festival is free and open to the public, though prior registration is mandatory via jamaicabrew2026.eventbrite.com.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican gospel artist Jermaine Edwards has publicly refuted widespread social media claims that viral singing sensation Rushawn Ewears received a $1 million payment from American superstar Akon for his cover of Edwards’ composition “Beautiful Day.”

In a strongly-worded Instagram statement on Monday, Edwards revealed the dangerous consequences of this misinformation, explaining that false narratives about Ewears’ supposed wealth have placed the young artist’s safety at risk. “It’s actually putting my friend’s life in danger because the community are saying that he has a million US and he needs to help the community,” Edwards stated, expressing his frustration that the debunked claim continues to circulate a year after its initial emergence.

The gospel singer provided unequivocal clarification regarding the ownership and protection of his intellectual property. “I didn’t think I needed to defend my intellectual property when it was properly registered,” Edwards explained, emphasizing that all digital platforms properly credit and compensate him for “Beautiful Day” through established metadata systems. His statement aimed to definitively settle ownership questions surrounding the composition.

Ewears, who gained international attention through his soulful rendition of the gospel track, separately addressed the dangerous speculation on his own social media platforms. The emerging artist echoed Edwards’ concerns about his personal safety, directly appealing to the public: “False statements like these is putting my life in danger. Please stop making false information.”

The coordinated response from both artists highlights the potentially dangerous real-world consequences of viral misinformation in the digital age, particularly when false financial claims target individuals in vulnerable communities.

The boundaries of luxury culinary tourism were redefined as an exclusive cohort of Michelin-starred chefs, spirits connoisseurs, and global gastronomic influencers transcended the ordinary with an inter-island expedition. Departing from the Eric Ripert-hosted Ritz-Carlton Cayman Cookout, these arbiters of taste embarked on a private jet excursion to Jamaica’s legendary GoldenEye resort on January 15th for an extraordinary luncheon orchestrated by Chef Dominic Benson.

The afternoon unfolded as a symphony of cultural and culinary excellence, with GoldenEye CEO Marika Kessler presiding over the festivities. The event became a convergence of industry titans, featuring Michelin-starred virtuoso Eric Ripert engaging in candid exchanges with Kessler. The resort’s visionary founder, Chris Blackwell, alongside Moët Hennessy representative Louis-Philippe Lussier, participated in pre-dinner photography sessions that captured the event’s prestige.

Authentic Jamaican mento rhythms performed by the Uptempo Band provided the soundtrack to this gastronomic pilgrimage, immersing attendees in the island’s rich cultural heritage. Chef Benson’s meticulous culinary craftsmanship took center stage as he applied final enhancements to his epicurean creations, while Lussier’s expertise in premium spirits captivated the audience, particularly during his engrossing dialogue with CEO Kessler.

This trans-Caribbean culinary voyage epitomized the evolving landscape of luxury dining experiences, where geographical barriers dissolve in pursuit of exceptional gastronomy and cultural immersion.

The global music community is mourning the sudden passing of Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore, legendary guitarist and co-founder of pioneering reggae band Third World. The esteemed musician died unexpectedly on Sunday evening at age 69, according to an official statement released by his representative.

Coore’s musical journey began as an early member of Inner Circle before he embarked on his defining musical partnership with keyboardist Ibo Cooper to establish Third World in 1973. The band revolutionized contemporary music through their innovative fusion of traditional reggae with soul, funk, pop, and rock elements, creating what would become known as the reggae-fusion genre that catapulted Jamaican music to international prominence.

Under Coore’s creative leadership and exceptional musicianship, Third World produced an enduring catalog of hits that transcended generations and geographical boundaries. Their timeless classics including ‘Now That We’ve Found Love,’ ’96 Degrees in the Shade,’ and ‘Try Jah Love’ established them as one of Jamaica’s most commercially successful and longest-running musical acts.

Beyond his performance excellence, Coore was celebrated for his compositional brilliance and profound musical knowledge. His contributions to Jamaican culture and the creative arts earned him the nation’s prestigious Order of Distinction, awarded by the Government of Jamaica in recognition of his exceptional service to the country’s cultural landscape.

Coore’s legacy extends through his surviving family including his wife Lisa, children Shiah, Kanna, Stephen, and Ashley, his grandchildren, and countless extended family members, bandmates, colleagues, and devoted fans worldwide who continue to be inspired by his musical genius.

Emerging Jamaican vocalist MG Liz has officially launched her musical career with the release of her debut single ‘Love Up,’ marking a significant milestone shared by countless artists. The roots-reggae track, developed in collaboration with seasoned artist Derajah and Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Bruno Dupre, represents the culmination of a year’s creative effort.

In an exclusive interview with the Jamaica Observer, MG Liz described experiencing a whirlwind of emotions surrounding her official entry into the music industry. ‘It’s really something. I’m beyond excited, but I’m also nervous because this takes everything to another level. At the same time, I feel so grateful, there’s just so much happening all at once,’ the artist confessed.

The collaborative single emerged from Derajah’s extensive international connections, leveraging his performance experience throughout Europe and Brazil. This network facilitated the involvement of Dupre, who contributed guitar, bass, drums, and horns to the production, creating a rich musical backdrop for MG Liz’s vocal talents.

Hailing from Kingston and raised in Redwood, St. Catherine, the newcomer cites legendary influences including Marcia Griffiths, Gladys Knight, Celine Dion, and Mariah Carey. Her artistic journey accelerated in early 2025 when she began developing original material with recording aspirations.

MG Liz revealed that approximately 90 percent of her recently recorded work features Derajah as producer, with additional collaborations including a Swedish producer and another American producer. The initial industry response has been notably positive, with professionals showing genuine interest in her distinctive sound and artistic direction.