Entertainment
“A first Oscar at 74?” Stellan Skarsgård honoured with Montecito Award as Sentimental Value sparks awards-season buzz
The legendary Swedish actor — known for roles across Dune, Chernobyl and Mamma Mia! — receives a major Santa Barbara Film Festival tribute as he nears his first-ever Oscar nomination.
At 74, celebrated Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård is experiencing something rare in Hollywood: a career resurgence powerful enough to position him for the first Oscar nomination of his life. And now, that momentum has brought him a prestigious honour.
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has announced that Skarsgård will receive the 2026 Montecito Award, a prize reserved for artists with an extraordinary impact on film. The award ceremony will be held on February 11, 2026, at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara — a venue where many Oscar hopefuls have received their final burst of attention before Academy voting begins.
The recognition comes on the heels of Skarsgård’s widely acclaimed performance in the Swedish drama Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier. Many critics say it may be the finest work of Skarsgård’s five-decade career.
A role that may finally earn him the Academy Award spotlight
In Sentimental Value — Sweden’s official submission for the 2026 Best International Feature Oscar — Skarsgård plays Gustav Borg, an aging filmmaker attempting to rebuild strained relationships with his two daughters, portrayed by Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas.
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The story follows Borg’s quest to recapture his diminishing fame by making one last film starring an American actress, played by Elle Fanning.
Critics have praised the film for its emotional authenticity — calling Skarsgård’s performance career-defining, tender, and quietly devastating.
SBIFF executive director Roger Durling echoed this sentiment in his announcement:
“I’ve been a big fan of Stellan since his work in Breaking the Waves. His emotional depth, his versatility — he makes it look effortless.”
A filmography as rich as his legacy
Skarsgård’s award comes after decades of standout work across both European arthouse cinema and global blockbusters.
His iconic roles include:

Arthouse & Auteur Collaborations
- Five films with director Lars von Trier, including Breaking the Waves and Nymphomaniac
Major Hollywood Franchises
- The Dune series
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Mamma Mia!
- The Marvel Cinematic Universe as Dr. Erik Selvig
Prestige Television
- The critically acclaimed limited series Chernobyl, which earned him a Golden Globe and Emmy nomination
- Andor (2022–2025), one of the most praised entries in the Star Wars TV universe
Yet despite his expansive body of work, Skarsgård has never received an Oscar nomination — a statistic many believe is about to change.
A patriarch in a family of actors
Stellan is also the head of one of the most recognizable acting families in modern cinema. His children — including Alexander Skarsgård, Bill Skarsgård, and Gustaf Skarsgård — have become stars in their own right, carrying the Skarsgård legacy across Hollywood and streaming platforms worldwide.
But this year, the spotlight belongs unmistakably to Stellan.
A career tribute years in the making
The Montecito Award has previously gone to esteemed actors whose performances shaped cinema — a list that includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Cate Blanchett, Javier Bardem, and Helen Mirren.
Skarsgård’s inclusion signals an industry-wide recognition of his decades of work and the powerful resonance of Sentimental Value.
The ceremony will include:
- A live conversation about his career
- A retrospective of his most influential film moments
- Appearances from collaborators and industry peers
For an actor who has quietly shaped global cinema for more than 50 years, the evening promises to be both emotional and historic.
Will 2026 finally be Stellan Skarsgård’s year at the Oscars?
With Sentimental Value gaining momentum, early critics’ awards already praising his performance, and now the Santa Barbara honour adding fuel to the campaign, many believe Skarsgård is heading toward a long-overdue Academy Award nomination.
Whether he wins or not, one thing is clear:
Stellan Skarsgård’s impact on cinema is already monumental — and in 2026, the world is finally celebrating it.Just tell me!
Entertainment
Olivia Rodrigo Leaves Her Idol ‘Mind Blown’ With Stunning A Cappella Christmas Cover
Teaming up with Jacob Collier, Olivia Rodrigo delivers a pitch-perfect ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ that earns praise from Sheryl Crow
Olivia Rodrigo just delivered an early holiday gift that instantly melted the internet — and left one of her biggest idols completely stunned.
On Monday, December 8, acclaimed musician Jacob Collier shared a video featuring himself and the Gen Z pop superstar performing an a cappella cover of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” The stripped-down rendition, rich with layered harmonies and emotional warmth, quickly became a fan favorite — and even earned a jaw-dropping reaction from Sheryl Crow.
“Ok MIND BLOWN,” Crow wrote in the comments, summing up what thousands of listeners were thinking.

A Simple Start, A Breathtaking Finish
The video begins casually, with Olivia Rodrigo flashing a heart with her hands and asking, “Hi, Jacob! How’s this?” What follows is anything but casual.
Rodrigo launches into a soft, crystal-clear vocal take on the classic holiday song — originally made famous by Bing Crosby in the 1940s. One by one, Jacob Collier layers in intricate backing harmonies, creating a rich, almost orchestral soundscape without a single instrument.
“I’ll be home for Christmas / You can plan on me,” the pair sing in perfect sync. “Please have snow and mistletoe / And presents under the tree.”
Sharing the clip, Collier wrote, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas with my dear friend @oliviarodrigo 🎄,” keeping the caption as understated as the performance was powerful.
A Classic Song, A Modern Revival
Though “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” dates back more than 80 years, the song has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, even peaking at No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021. Rodrigo and Collier’s version feels both timeless and modern — respectful of the original while infused with their distinct musical identities.
Fans praised Rodrigo’s control and emotional restraint, while Collier’s signature harmonic genius elevated the performance into something almost sacred.
Sheryl Crow’s Full-Circle Moment
The most notable reaction came from Sheryl Crow, a longtime inspiration for Rodrigo. The admiration between the two artists has been mutual and well-documented.
The pair first crossed paths at Billboard’s Women in Music Awards in 2022, where Crow presented Rodrigo with Woman of the Year. During her acceptance speech, Rodrigo gushed,
“Sheryl, I am such a massive fan of you and your songwriting… It really means the world.”

In 2023, Rodrigo returned the favor by helping induct Crow into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Reflecting on that moment, Rodrigo told Billboard,
“It was an honor to join Sheryl on stage. She’s equally as kind as she is talented.”
Crow, for her part, has been equally generous with praise. Speaking on The Tonight Show, she called Rodrigo “the real deal,” adding,
“She’s a great songwriter. She seems kinda unaffected by all of it.”
A Holiday Moment Fans Won’t Forget
For Rodrigo, who first rose to fame on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series before becoming one of pop’s most defining voices, the performance marks another reminder of her versatility — not just as a hitmaker, but as a vocalist deeply rooted in melody and storytelling.
For fans, the collaboration is more than just a Christmas cover. It’s a meeting of generations, talent, and influence — and a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful performances need nothing more than voices and heart.
Entertainment
Justin Bieber Revisits the Bowling Alley From His ‘Baby’ Era 15 Years Later — A Full-Circle Moment Fans Didn’t Expect
The pop star returns to the iconic filming location of his breakout hit ‘Baby,’ reliving memories from the start of his global superstardom
Justin Bieber recently took fans on a nostalgic journey back to where it all began. On Thursday, December 11, the global pop icon shared an Instagram Reel revealing that he revisited the bowling alley where he filmed the music video for his career-defining hit “Baby” — a full 15 years after the song changed his life forever.
“Went to where I shot my music video for baby. This is what happened,” Bieber captioned the post, instantly sending longtime fans into an emotional spiral. The Reel shows Bieber casually walking through the bowling alley, singing Baby a cappella while friends beatbox beside him — recreating the magic that once introduced him to the world as a teenage sensation.
A Casual Look, A Powerful Memory
Now 31, Bieber appeared relaxed and reflective in the video, wearing an oversized gray T-shirt, baggy embellished shorts, a silver chain, and a beanie. The vibe was far from the polished pop-star image of his early years — instead, it felt intimate, spontaneous, and deeply personal.

Friends and collaborators including Eddie Benjamin, Oranj Goodman, Gabriel Jacoby, and Kyle Massey accompanied him. In one moment that delighted fans, a friend even stepped in to perform Ludacris’ famous verse: “When I was 13, I had my first love…”
‘Baby’: The Song That Changed Everything
Released in 2010, “Baby” was the lead single from Justin Bieber’s debut studio album My World 2.0. The track quickly became a global phenomenon, peaking at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and turning Bieber into one of the most recognizable faces in pop culture.
The music video was filmed at Universal CityWalk and Lucky Strike Lanes in Los Angeles, locations that became instantly iconic for an entire generation of fans who grew up watching Bieber’s rise.
Inspired by Michael Jackson
Back in 2010, Ludacris compared the Baby video to a modern-day version of Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” during an interview with MTV News — a comparison that underscored how massive Bieber’s breakout moment truly was.
At the time, Bieber explained that the song and video centered around teenage heartbreak and persistence.
“It starts off, I really like this girl, but we didn’t get along,” Bieber said then. “I want her back, and I’m chasing her around. She’s playing hard to get, but I’m persistent.”
Ludacris Knew It Was a Hit
Ludacris, now 48, recalled having to creatively frame his verse to fit a teen love story.
“I knew it was a hit as soon as I heard it,” he said. “I just had to figure out how I could get on a record with a 15-year-old.”
He famously added, “Mark my word, that’s going to be one of the biggest songs of 2010.”
History proved him right.

Jasmine Villegas Looks Back
Jasmine Villegas, who played Bieber’s love interest in the Baby music video, later reflected on the experience in a PEOPLE interview.
“I was around 16 or 17,” she said. “I knew he was on YouTube, but I didn’t realize what it would become. I didn’t put two and two together at first.”
From Teen Idol to Global Icon
Bieber’s quiet return to the bowling alley wasn’t just about revisiting a set — it symbolized how far he’s come. From a YouTube discovery to a chart-topping artist who has navigated fame, controversy, marriage, health struggles, and reinvention, Justin Bieber’s journey has been anything but ordinary.
Fifteen years later, Baby still echoes — not just as a song, but as the starting line of one of pop music’s most defining careers.
Entertainment
Euphoria Season 3 First Photos Drop After Four-Year Wait — Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi Return Older and Darker
HBO unveils new Season 3 images as Euphoria jumps five years ahead, revealing adult lives, broken ties, and shocking futures
After nearly four years of silence, HBO’s Euphoria is finally back in focus. On Friday, the network released the first official photos from Euphoria Season 3, giving fans their first glimpse at where the beloved — and deeply troubled — characters have landed after a dramatic five-year time jump.
The images confirm what creator Sam Levinson has been hinting at for months: Euphoria is no longer a high school story. The former teens are now adults, navigating careers, relationships, addiction, ambition, and consequences that didn’t fit inside lockers and classrooms.
Zendaya’s Rue Enters a New, Dangerous Phase
At the center of the series remains Zendaya, returning as Rue Bennett. In the newly released photos, Rue appears isolated and solemn — sitting alone in a church in one image, and riding in a truck in another.

Across the first two seasons, Rue’s struggle with substance abuse — fueled by grief over her father’s death — defined the emotional core of Euphoria. Season 3 takes that struggle even further.
According to Sam Levinson, Rue is now “south of the border in Mexico,” deeply in debt to drug dealer Laurie, played by Martha Kelly. The new season will follow Rue as she searches for “very innovative ways” to survive and pay off what she owes — a storyline that suggests the show is entering its darkest territory yet.
Nate and Cassie’s Shocking Future
One of the biggest reveals from Levinson confirms a jaw-dropping arc: Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) and Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney) are now living together in the suburbs — and they’re engaged.
In the Season 3 photos, Nate is seen in a suburban kitchen making hamburgers, a quiet image that contrasts sharply with his violent and manipulative past. Cassie, meanwhile, stands outside a house as an ice cream cone melts in her hand — a visual metaphor for her unraveling emotional state.
Levinson revealed that Cassie is now addicted to social media and obsessed with the illusion of success surrounding her former classmates. He also confirmed that Nate and Cassie will get married before the end of the season, a development that is already dividing fans online.
Jules, Maddy and Lexi Find New Worlds
Jules Vaughn, played by Hunter Schafer, is now attending art school. A new image shows her working in an art studio, with Levinson describing her as “nervous” about her future as a painter.
Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie) has moved to Hollywood, working at a talent agency while juggling undisclosed “side hustles.” In one of the most striking photos, Maddy appears fully glam on a film set — a far cry from her high school chaos.
Interestingly, Maddy appears alongside Lexi Howard (Maude Apatow) in multiple images. Lexi is now working as an assistant to a showrunner, played by Sharon Stone, and is seen wearing a “crew” pass on what looks like a large-scale production set, complete with gladiator costumes in the background.

The Losses Still Linger
Season 3 also carries the weight of real-life and fictional loss.
At the end of Season 2, Fezco (Angus Cloud) watched helplessly as his younger brother Ashtray (Javon Walton) was killed during a SWAT raid. Tragically, Angus Cloud himself died of an accidental overdose in 2023, and his absence looms large over the new season.
Not all characters are returning. Barbie Ferreira, who played Kat Hernandez, previously exited the show, citing creative differences and a lack of direction for her character. Storm Reid, who portrayed Rue’s sister Gia, will also not return for Season 3.
A Grown-Up Euphoria
Speaking earlier this month at an HBO presentation, Sam Levinson explained why the five-year leap felt necessary.
“It felt natural,” he said. “It allows the characters to not only leave high school behind, but college as well.”
The new photos hint at adulthood without spoiling key plot points — solitude, ambition, domesticity, and identity all quietly woven into the visuals.
If Seasons 1 and 2 were about chaos in youth, Euphoria Season 3 looks poised to explore something more unsettling: what happens when trauma grows up with you.
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