Latest news with #Stardom


New York Times
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
8 Rising Pop Girls You Should Hear Now
By Joe Coscarelli Dear listeners, This is Joe from The Times's music team, once again filling in for Lindsay, a.k.a. taking any opportunity to foist my taste onto all of you. I've been thinking, as I often do, about the nature of stardom and whether its essential ingredients are becoming more scarce, or have long since dried up. Despite coalescing conventional wisdom, I'm invested, personally and professionally, in the idea that they have not, and that many of our most promising young musicians still possess an ineffable magnetism and some amazing hooks, even if they may never reach the heights of their monoculture forebears. Online, where music fandom gets messy but also meaty, the idea of the Pop Girls (and especially the Main Pop Girls) looms large. This constantly regenerating hierarchy includes — arguably; all of this is arguable and should be argued — the mostly emeritus legends (Madonna, Mariah, Britney), the modern imperialists (Beyoncé, Taylor, Ariana) and the lame duck in-betweeners (Katy, Gaga, Rihanna). Endless debates can be had about who fits where, and what that means for Billie, Cardi, Dua, Charli and anyone else who can get by with a single name. In the last few years especially, the field has blown open: Even the niches have niches and one person's pop queen can be another's 'who?' (Justice for Rosalía, etc.) Even as Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan have solidified their footing, not just on the internet but also the radio, streaming and IRL in concert, there are infinite iterating tiers of singers who are alternately reverent, irreverent, brash, manufactured, original and otherwise. These eight new songs are my summer picks from the current class of hot prospects, all of whom are doing something I see as undeniably modern, while also recognizing their place in the Pop Girl lineage, defined most broadly. Your money's not coming with you to heaven, Joe Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
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First Post
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Laal Singh Chaddha, Made In Heaven 2, Munjya, Netflix's 'Kaala Paani': Decoding the rise and rise of Mona Singh
From her recent hits like Munjya, Made in Heaven 2, and Kaala Paani, to earlier standout roles, Mona has mastered the art of making every character feel real, grounded, and necessary read more In an industry that often celebrates noise over nuance, Mona Singh has quietly carved a space for herself one unforgettable performance at a time. Over the years, she has proven that she doesn't just act in a scene; she elevates it. Whether it's television, films, or streaming platforms, Mona brings a kind of authenticity and emotional sharpness that makes you instantly pay attention. From her recent hits like Munjya, Made in Heaven 2, and Kaala Paani, to earlier standout roles, Mona has mastered the art of making every character feel real, grounded, and necessary. There's no unnecessary drama just truth, delivered with timing and texture that only a seasoned performer like her can bring. Her characters linger in your mind, not because they demand attention, but because they've earned it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD There's a reason why audiences sit up a little straighter when Mona appears on screen. She carries a rare emotional intelligence one glance, a well-placed pause, or a quiet reaction can shift the tone of an entire scene. In an era where impact matters more than screen time, Mona has become the secret ingredient the 'tadka'that transforms a good script into something great. Whether she's playing the no-nonsense Bulbul Jauhari, the wildly funny Pammi, or the steady and wise Dr. Soudamini, Mona's performances are proof of her incredible range. She's versatile without ever losing her essence a performer who can move seamlessly between humor, intensity, and subtlety. With an exciting line-up ahead… including Ma KaSum, Stardom, Paan Parda Zarda, Kohrra 2, and Made in Heaven 3 one thing is certain: Mona Singh doesn't need the spotlight to shine.


Newsweek
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Mariah May's New WWE Name Has A Hidden Meaning
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former AEW Women's World Champion Mariah May has officially arrived in WWE NXT and has been given a new name. On the June 10th episode of NXT, it was revealed in a stylish vignette that she will now be known as Blake Monroe. The video package was styled like an old Hollywood newsreel, playing up her nickname, "The Glamour," before unveiling the new name. This came one week after her surprise debut on the June 3rd edition of NXT. During her debut, she immediately confronted NXT Women's Champion Jacy Jayne, signaling her intent to go straight to the top of the division. A Championship-Winning Run In AEW Monroe's arrival in WWE comes after a highly successful run in All Elite Wrestling, where she was one of the most featured stars in the women's division. She debuted in late 2023 as the protege of "Timeless" Toni Storm, a partnership that became a central storyline on AEW programming. Their story eventually evolved into a heated rivalry, which saw Monroe defeat Storm to capture the AEW Women's World Championship in front of her home country crowd at the All In event at Wembley Stadium in August 2024. In addition to her world title reign, she also won the 2024 Women's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 23: Mariah May enters the ring during the Women's Pro-Wrestling "Stardom" at Ota City General Gymnasium on July 23, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 23: Mariah May enters the ring during the Women's Pro-Wrestling "Stardom" at Ota City General Gymnasium on July 23, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation A New Start In NXT After her AEW contract expired, Monroe signed a multi-year deal with WWE, making her one of the biggest free-agent signings of the year. Her rebranding as Blake Monroe marks a fresh start as she begins her journey in the WWE system. Monroe is already being positioned as a major star for the NXT brand. It was recently announced that she has signed with the prestigious Paradigm Talent Agency for outside representation. She joins a roster that includes other top WWE names like CM Punk and Drew McIntyre. She is scheduled to have her official NXT contract signing on next week's episode, likely escalating her new feud with Jacy Jayne. It will be interesting to see if May wins the title in her first outing to get a title shot or if WWE will wait for her to win gold. She will likely be called up to the main roster in the next few months. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mariah May breaks silence on leaving AEW for WWE
The post Mariah May breaks silence on leaving AEW for WWE appeared first on ClutchPoints. After news broke that her name and likeness had been officially removed from the AEW roster page, fans had a pretty good idea that Mariah May was heading to WWE one way or another. Advertisement What they didn't expect was to see 'The Glamour' make her NXT debut a few days later, letting reigning Women's Champion Jacy Jayne know that her time with the title will soon come to an end. 'And I have finally arrived,' May declared. 'And ladies, ladies, you can call me the next NXT Women's Champion. Because the best women's division in the world just got a lot more glamorous.' This understandably got the internet talking, with Mariah May's name rapidly trending on social media, but before fans could overtake her narrative, May took it upon herself to weigh in on the situation, cutting a quick promo encouraging fans to tune into NXT the following week in order to learn what she has planned. 'It's about d**n time,' May declared. 'I've wrestled all over the world, and it's only right that 'The Glamour' arrives in NXT.' Advertisement Now granted, this isn't a total home run for the WWE Universe, as rumors have already begun to circulate that May will be required to change her name Ricky Saints style, thus setting aside the legacy she had in Stardom and AEW in favor of a fresh start in a new promotion. Then again, considering WWE was always May's dream, so much so that she passed up being a top 3 star in AEW's women's division for a spot in developmental, a moniker change likely doesn't mean all that much for the Superstar born Mariah May Mead. Will May eclipse her run in AEW with an even better championship run in NXT? Will she parlay that success to an even better campaign on the main roster, be that RAW or SmackDown, and become a household name like Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair before her? While only time will tell, May is happy to be 'home,' so it's safe to say the debut was everything she's been hoping for.


Time of India
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mariah May likely to join WWE: 5 career-defining moments of the former AEW star
Mariah May's wrestling journey is a touching and inspiring one. She didn't just appear on television one day. She worked her way up. She took chances. She changed countries. And she never stopped aiming for one thing: WWE. Ever since her early matches on England's independent scene, Mariah has made it clear she wants to reach the top. WWE was always the goal. That dream now feels close to coming true. Her AEW profile was quietly removed. Rumours of talks with WWE have grown louder. It feels like the door is finally opening. But before the next chapter begins, it's worth looking at how she got here. Mariah May is not just another pretty face or rising star. She's someone who found ways to stand out in every locker room she walked into. From Japan to AEW, she left a mark. These five moments show exactly how she became one of wrestling's most talked-about names. 1. Stepping into Stardom and creating Club Venus When Mariah went to Japan in late 2022, she entered a whole new world. Stardom is known for its tough style and fast pace. It's also where many future stars have proved themselves. For a British wrestler with no prior Japanese experience, this was a brave move. CLUB VENUS IS HERE 💎 #STARDOM She didn't just blend in. She formed Club Venus alongside Mina Shirakawa and Xia Brookside and quickly made the group her own. Her personality, confidence, and look clicked perfectly with the Japanese crowd. She played the 'Sexy Dynamite Princess' role with flair, but her real growth came in the ring. She picked up wins. She won the Goddess of Stardom Tag Titles. Most importantly, she gained trust and respect in a new culture. That run gave her international buzz. Fans outside the UK came to know her name. AEW took notice. This was the first big moment where people started seeing her as more than just a potential star 2. Debuting in AEW as Toni Storm's devoted fan Mariah made her AEW debut in November 2023, but it wasn't your usual entrance. She didn't wrestle right away. Instead, she was introduced as a starstruck admirer of Toni Storm. It was strange. It was funny. And it worked better than anyone expected. Mariah May from her debut match on AEW Dynamite tonight 🎥 Playing the quiet assistant to Storm's 'Timeless' character, May brought emotion and tension into every segment. At times, she looked scared. At times, she looked jealous. The slow build created curiosity. Fans didn't know if she would snap or stay loyal. She was never boring. This was a key stretch in her career. She wasn't even wrestling every week, but people still talked about her. She learned how to work with cameras, how to build storylines, and how to connect without needing to speak much. That kind of performance is rare, and it proved she belonged on a big stage. 3. Winning the Owen Hart Cup and stepping into the spotlight By July 2024, May finally stepped into the ring full-time. And she didn't waste time. She entered the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament and delivered her best matches yet. She beat names like Skye Blue and Willow Nightingale. Then she lifted the trophy on live TV. One year ago I made my AEW debutFrom being an unknown to main eventing Dynamite, Collision, BOTB & Rampage. Winning the Owen Hart Tournament, killing the face of the division & being crowned World Champion at Wembley StadiumLet me know when the rest of you bitches catch up. This was the moment where fans stopped seeing her as Toni Storm's sidekick. She was now a real contender. Her win earned her a title shot, but it did more than that. It gave her credibility. It showed she could work AEW's big match style and still bring storytelling to the ring. From this point on, her matches became main event worthy. 4. Winning the AEW Women's World Championship at All In AEW's All In 2024 event at Wembley Stadium was historic for many reasons. But for Mariah, it was personal. She was wrestling in London, in front of her home crowd, with everything on the line. And she didn't play it safe. In the middle of the match, she turned on Toni Storm. She used her Owen Cup trophy to knock her out and pinned her to win the AEW Women's World Championship. The crowd gasped. Some cheered. Some were stunned. But everyone was watching. That wasn't just her first world title. That was a moment that proved she could carry the top story in the company. On the biggest night of her career, she made the boldest move possible. And it worked. 5. Her final AEW match and the end of the Toni Storm saga Mariah held the title for 174 days. She defended it against strong opponents like Nyla Rose and Anna Jay. But the story always came back to Toni Storm. Their rivalry grew deeper, darker and more emotional. It reached its final chapter at AEW Revolution 2025. HOLLYWOOD ENDING‼️‼️'TIMELESS' Toni Storm Vs Mariah May IIIAEW Revolution 2025🎧:Eyeless—Slipknot The match was named 'Hollywood Ending.' And it truly felt like one. In a bloody, chaotic Falls Count Anywhere fight, both women tore into each other. The match had drama, callbacks, pain and even some comedy. Storm won in the end, but the spotlight was shared. It felt like closure. Not just for the story, but for Mariah's time in AEW. She didn't return after that match. Her profile was removed from the AEW website in May. And now the WWE rumours have taken over.