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lifestyle MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2014 Aretha serenadesMUSIC & MOVIES Swift as Billboard honors both t’ll be hard for Taylor Swift top this as a impromptu performance of “Happy Birthday” birthday gift: A birthday serenade from to Taylor Swift, Billboard’s new “Woman of the Inone other than the Queen of Soul. Aretha Year,” at their annual Women in Music event on Franklin arguably had the best performance of Friday. Swift swooned as Franklin sang and the the afternoon as the legend gave an pair embraced afterward and she was given a birthday cake. Technically Swift doesn’t turn 25 until Saturday but she was able to celebrate early with the honor; she was one of several women celebrated at the event, which featured some Idina Menzel, from left, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Meghan Trainor attend the 2014 Billboard Women in Music luncheon. of the biggest names in music, including a sur- the honor in a more personal nature. Idina prise appearance by Beyonce. Billboard’s Menzel, whose voice powered the “Frozen” Women in Music awards honors the top soundtrack into the top-selling album of the women in the industry, from executives to year, spoke about reaching the apex of her artists like Franklin, who received the appro- career after some lean years, despite early suc- priately named “Icon” award. Swift was named cess on Broadway.”I’m 43 and I’m a break- the top woman in music after her record- through artist,” she said of getting the breaking year, in which her “1989” album “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” award. debuted at No. 1 and sold more than 1 million Ariana Grande’s brother, “Big Brother” con- copies - her third straight album to accomplish testant Frankie, gave his sister the “Rising Star” such a feat, setting a record. She also had award in an emotional tribute.”This is com- chart-toppers with “Shake It Off” and “Blank pletely crazy and I’m going to try not to cry,” Space” and recently saw the former song get she said as she accepted it. Iggy Azalea did nominated for record of the year at the choke up when she received the “Chart Grammys. Topper” award; the “Fancy” rapper thanked the Swift used her acceptance speech to under- women executives who pushed her career for- Taylor Swift attends the 2014 Billboard score her decision this fall to remove all her ward when she thought it was dead.Charli XCX Women in Music luncheon at Cipriani music from the streaming site Spotify on the received the “Hitmaker” award; Jessie J was Wall Street on Friday. — AP photos grounds that it doesn’t equitably reimburse named “Powerhouse”; and Hayley Williams of artists for the use of its material.” I really Paramore was crowned “Trailblazer.” among those who performed. Matt Lauer believe we in the music industry can work The event was star-studded; Beyonce sat in presided over a panel discussion at the end together to find a way to bond technology the audience to honor her general manager, featuring all eight honorees, but by then, with integrity and just really hope we can one of 50 industry executives also honored; the event had approached three hours and teach the younger generation the value of Sharon Osbourne gave a typically profane more than half the audience had bolted. investment in music rather than the ephemer- speech to honor Universal exec Michele But those who stayed got a treat with the Beyonce attends the 2014 Billboard Women Aretha Franklin attends the 2014 Billboard al consumption of it,” Swift said. Anthony; and Civil Wars singer Joy Williams, Franklin performance - perhaps the high- in Music luncheon. Women in Music luncheon. Most of the other honorees spoke about Colbie Caillat and Ingrid Michaelson were light of the event. — AP ‘Exodus’ toppling Sam Smith, Taylor Swift own the night at Jingle Ball f you wanted to make a time capsule of what happened in pop music this year, Friday night’s Jingle Ball - the annual ‘Mockingjay’ Iextravaganza held in Madison Square Garden put on by pop station Z100 - would most likely provide the most accu- rate account. There was Pharrell - with the hat- crooning his with $25 Million hit “Happy”; Iggy Azalea rapping and posturing as she breezed through “Fancy”; Jessie J and Ariana Grande playfully “Exodus: Gods and Kings” is ruler of the box office despite one-upping each other in the power-vocal showcase smash its less-than-inspirational ticket sales. Ridley Scott’s biblical “Bang Bang”; and Meghan Trainor serving sass on what was epic launched to $8.6 million on Friday at the US box office arguably the song of the year, “All About That Bass.” as it marches toward an estimated $25 million weekend But the king and queen of the night (and perhaps the debut. The Fox action-drama, starring Christian Bale as year) were Sam Smith and Taylor Swift. Their separate per- Moses, has taken over the No. 1 spot from reigning champ formances couldn’t have been less alike: Smith was all about “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1.” stately R&B while Swift brought her perky pop. But they were the emotional highlights, capturing the hearts of fans who The movie is far behind the film that topped the box expressed their approval with ear-piercing shrieks and office this time last year; “The Hobbit: The Desolation of screams. “I am the only person who asks you to scream loudly Smaug” opened to $73.6 million in 2013. The final film of tonight who is about to turn 25 in 10 minutes,” Swift told the the trilogy, “The Battle of the Five Armies,” hits US theaters crowd shortly before she celebrated her birthday after the next Friday. It also trails fellow biblical epic “Noah,” which stroke of midnight. kicked off with $43.7 million earlier this year. Like “Noah,” Smith, the newcomer who last week was nominated for “Exodus” has been shrouded in controversy. The pic has six Grammys including record, song and album of the year, been attacked by critics and fans for its all-white cast. 21st was the most unlikely pop star of the bunch; he sings tradi- Century Fox CEO and media mogul Rupert Murdoch recent- tional, downtempo soul songs and doesn’t dance; his signa- ly defended the Anglo-led cast, tweeting: “Since when are ture look is a drab suit and his wide, doleful eyes. Egyptians not white? All I know are.” But his searing, soulful voice has made him among the Box Office Box “Exodus,” which also stars Joel Edgerton as Ramses, car- most acclaimed artists of the year, and fans at Jingle Ball, who Taylor Swift performs at Z100 Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden, Friday in New York. — AP photos ries a hefty $140 million production budget. The film picked range all ages but skew heavily toward the tween and teen up $23.1 million when it debuted last weekend in 10 for- set, were captivated by it as he powered through songs like eign markets, including South Korea and Mexico. It had sur- “I’m Not the Only One,” “Latch” and his signature hit, the passed $32 million by Wednesday, when it moved into Grammy-nominated “Stay With Me.” another 38 territories. Early reviews have been mixed, earn- ing it 28% on Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile, another new release, “Top Five,” has received rave reviews (89% on Rotten Tomatoes). Paramount’s comedy debuted to $2.5 million and will laugh its way to $7 million this weekend. “Top Five” came in third on Friday, but will land in fourth place-behind “Penguins of Madagascar”-by today. The pic stars Chris Rock as a comedian trying to reinvent himself (in both his personal and professional life). Rock also wrote and directed the pic, which has been dubbed a career come- back. “Mockingjay” came in a distant second behind “Exodus” with $3.8 million on Friday after wearing the box office crown for three consecutive weekends. The penulti- mate installment of the Lionsgate franchise should take in $12.5 million in its fourth weekend, raising its cume to $276 million-about $55 million shy of the year’s highest-grossing film, “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Fox’s “Madagascar” spinoff “Penguins of Madagascar” was fourth on Friday, taking in $1.6 million. It’ll move to third place come Sunday as it brings in just over $7 million in its third frame. The space epic “Interstellar” rounded out the Friday top five, but the animated hit “Big Hero” will swoop in Ariana Grande performs at Z100 Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden. for that slot later this weekend. The Disney toon reeled in stick to her own set, which featured collaborations with Charli “Apologize.” Dreamy teen boy acts like 5 Seconds of Summer $1.4 million on Friday on its way north of $6 million as it XCX and Rita Ora. and newcomers Shawn Mendes and Rixton whipped the crosses $185 million at the US box office. — Reuters One Republic won the crowd early with songs like crowd into a frenzy, and even Nick Jonas - whom with his brothers nearly ruptured eardrums just a few years ago - had the crowd on its feet as he performed his comeback single “Jealous.”Other performers included Gwen Stefani (who per- formed with Pharrell), Maroon 5 and Calvin Harris. — AP Rita Ora performs at Z100 Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden. Swift - the evening’s final performer - was the clear fan favorite. The former country princess opened her newly exclusive pop set with her love letter to her new hometown, “Welcome to New York,” then segued to her self-mocking “Blank Space.” She shined, engaging the audience with an energetic set that showed her charm as a performer - danc- ing and grooving with her band through songs like “Shake it Off” as she playfully yet forcefully warbled the grooves.