Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Rings in the Season, Palm Springs International Film Festival Names Ariana Grande its 2024 Rising Star, Sum 41 Cancels Australian Tour

The 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Kicks Off the Holiday Season in New York City. The holiday season is officially here as the world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was lit at 9:58 PM last night in New York City. More than 50,000 multi-colored, energy-efficient LED lights, strung on five miles of wire, adorn the 11-ton, 74-foot-tall, 43-foot-wide Norway Spruce that is topped with a three-dimensional Swarovski star weighing approximately 900 lbs. and covered in 3 million crystals. Emmy and Grammy Award winner Kelly Clarkson hosted the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony with festive performances from Backstreet Boys, Dan + Shay, Megan Hilty, Jennifer Hudson, Coco Jones, Little Big Town, RAYE, Thalía and of course, in line with tradition, the Radio City Rockettes. Ariana Grande to be honored with the Rising Star Award at the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Awards after standout performance in Wicked. The awards ceremony will take place on the second day of the festival, which is set to run from January 2-13 in Palm Springs, California. The exciting news was announced in a statement by festival chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi, who praised Grande's performance in Wicked saying 'Ariana is an iconic global performer, who has seamlessly transitioned to film in her first major starring role, proving herself to be a multifaceted and undeniable talent. This role is certain to be the beginning of the many accolades she will garner throughout her acting career.' Prior actors and actresses who have been honored with this award include Terrence Howard, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lawrence, Anna Kendrick, Timothée Chalamet, Gal Gadot, and Dakota Fanning. Sum 41 cancels Australian tour after frontman Deryck Whibley is diagnosed with pneumonia. The band announced the official cancellation on their social media, revealing that doctors had deemed frontman Deryck Whibley unfit to perform amidst his battle with pneumonia. Along with their own tour, the group was set to headline Good Things Festival this upcoming weekend, but will no longer be in attendance. The rock band is still expected to perform the Canadian leg of their farewell tour, which begins on January 10. National Blue Jeans Day is celebrated. Blue jeans come in many different shapes and sizes, so whether you prefer skinny, straight, bootcut, flare, ripped jeans, or something else, celebrate the holiday by wearing your favorite pair today. The classic look of blue denim pairs well with any outfit, so dig through your closet and show off what you've got. In today's birthday news: The Goo Goo Dolls' John Rzeznik turns 59, comedian Margaret Cho 56, model Shalom Harlow 51, actress Amy Acker 48, actor Nick Stahl 45, actor Gabriel Luna 42, actor Frankie Muniz 39.