Entertainment
Catherine O’Hara, star of Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone, dies at 71
Catherine O’Hara, the beloved Hollywood and television star whose career spanned decades and generations, has died at the age of 71, leaving behind a legacy defined by fearless comedy, warmth and remarkable versatility. Best known to global audiences as the frazzled but unforgettable mother in the Home Alone films and the flamboyant Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, O’Hara remained creatively active and deeply admired until the very end of her life.
True to her lifelong dedication to her craft, O’Hara was working almost until her death. Just last year, she starred in Seth Rogen’s critically acclaimed Hollywood satire The Studio, where she played Patty Leigh, a long-serving studio boss whose firing at the start of the series sets the story in motion. The role once again showcased O’Hara’s ability to balance sharp satire with humanity, as Patty later reinvents herself as a successful producer behind some of the industry’s biggest hits.
Beyond her iconic turn as Kevin McCallister’s overwhelmed mother in Home Alone, O’Hara carefully built a zany, self-aware persona that became one of the most delightful fixtures in Hollywood. With roots in improvisational comedy, she brought spontaneity and intelligence to every performance. Whenever the Canadian star stepped onto an awards-show stage, even the most jaded viewers could expect something memorable.
One standout moment came during the socially distanced 2020 Canadian Screen Awards, when O’Hara joked about “enjoying the great indoors” and delivered her acceptance speech from home. Fully committing to the gag, she played herself off with music — then continued singing her speech to the tune, embodying the eccentric charm fans had come to adore, particularly through her portrayal of Moira Rose.
That same year, when she won the Emmy for lead actress in a comedy, O’Hara celebrated the chance to portray “a woman of a certain age — my age — who gets to fully be her ridiculous self.” Appearing from a Toronto viewing party during Covid restrictions, she turned a virtual ceremony into an intimate, joyful moment. The following year, her reunion onstage with Schitt’s Creek co-stars Dan Levy, Eugene Levy and Annie Murphy was warmly received, especially as the group lovingly teased Eugene Levy in front of a global audience.
O’Hara continued to steal the spotlight in later years. At the 2024 Emmy Awards, she memorably delayed presenting an award by asking, “Must we really choose one winner?” before theatrically ripping up the envelope. At the Oscars that same year, she reunited with her Beetlejuice co-star Michael Keaton to present the make-up and hairstyling awards, joking that “the last thing we want is for anyone to know what we actually look like or the squalor in which we actually live.”
Her partnership with Seth Rogen also extended beyond The Studio. Last year, the pair presented together at the Golden Globe Awards, delivering a rambling, self-aware routine about Canada’s imaginary awards shows that ran long but earned plenty of laughs, particularly for its affectionate digs at Americans and the excesses of awards culture.
In The Studio, O’Hara’s Patty Leigh shone brightest during an episode set entirely at the Golden Globes, where her character effortlessly schmoozed a room full of Hollywood stars and power brokers. The performance earned O’Hara a Golden Globe nomination earlier this month, and she is also nominated for best female comedy performance at the forthcoming Actor Awards (formerly the SAG Awards). That honour, now awarded posthumously, carries a bittersweet poignancy.
Catherine O’Hara’s death marks the loss of a rare talent — an actress who embraced age, absurdity and reinvention with joy, and who consistently elevated every project she touched. While she is gone, the laughter she created, the characters she embodied and the generosity she brought to her art ensure that her presence will continue to be felt, celebrated and cherished for many years to come.
Entertainment
Fela Kuti Makes History as First African Honoured With Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award
Nearly three decades after his death, Nigerian music icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first African to be awarded a Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award — a moment widely seen as long-overdue global recognition of his immense influence.
Long celebrated by fans worldwide as the undisputed pioneer and king of Afrobeat, Fela will receive the honour posthumously at the upcoming Grammy Awards. He died in 1997 at the age of 58, but his music, message and cultural impact have only grown stronger with time.
The recognition has been warmly welcomed by those closest to the late artist. Rikki Stein, Fela’s long-time friend and manager, described the honour as “better late than never,” noting that African music had historically received limited attention from major Western institutions.
That shift has become increasingly visible in recent years. The global explosion of Afrobeats — a genre directly inspired by Fela’s groundbreaking fusion of jazz, funk, highlife and African rhythms — has reshaped international music charts and award platforms. In recognition of this momentum, the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category in 2024.
This year, Nigerian superstar Burna Boy is also nominated in the Best Global Music Album category, further underlining Africa’s growing presence on the world’s biggest music stage.
Despite these advances, Fela’s honour remains uniquely significant. Since the Lifetime Achievement Award was first introduced in 1963, beginning with American singer and actor Bing Crosby, no African artist had previously received it. Fela now joins an illustrious list of this year’s honourees, which includes Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan — widely known as the Queen of Funk — and Paul Simon.
Members of Fela Kuti’s family, alongside friends and collaborators, are expected to attend the Grammy ceremony to accept the award on his behalf, celebrating a legacy that transcends borders and generations.
US YouTube sensation IShowSpeed is set to be granted a Ghanaian passport following his widely followed visit to the West African nation, marking a symbolic end to his ambitious, continent-spanning tour of Africa.
Ghana was the penultimate stop on the 21-year-old content creator’s live-streamed “Speed Does Africa” tour, which took him to 20 African countries and concluded on Tuesday. The tour has attracted global attention, with millions tuning in to watch his real-time experiences across the continent.
Following his visit, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that his office had approved a Ghanaian passport for the influencer, describing IShowSpeed as a “worthy ambassador”. In a post on social media, Ablakwa said the decision followed “confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana”.
During one of his live streams in Ghana, IShowSpeed — whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr — told his audience that his mother is from the West African country, a connection that has resonated strongly with fans and supporters across Ghana and the wider African diaspora.
“Keep making our great nation Ghana, and our beloved African continent proud,” Ablakwa wrote, adding: “Ghana celebrates you.”
IShowSpeed is one of the world’s most influential online personalities, boasting more than 50 million subscribers on YouTube. His Africa tour has been widely praised for offering a vibrant, unfiltered look at everyday life across the continent, helping to challenge long-standing stereotypes and highlight Africa’s cultural diversity, creativity and energy.
Many viewers and commentators have credited the tour with boosting interest in African destinations, music, food and traditions, while also contributing significantly to the growth of IShowSpeed’s already massive global platform.
The announcement of the passport approval was met with largely positive reactions from Ghanaians, with many welcoming the move as a celebration of diasporan ties and global cultural exchange. Some, however, questioned whether granting passports to foreign celebrities risks “devaluing” Ghanaian citizenship, sparking a broader debate about nationality, heritage and modern forms of diplomacy.
Despite the mixed reactions, supporters argue that the gesture reflects Ghana’s long-standing openness to the African diaspora and its willingness to embrace influential figures who promote the country positively on the global stage.
Spanish singer Julio Iglesias has strongly denied allegations of sexual assault made by two former female employees, as Spain’s National Court reviews a legal complaint linked to events alleged to have occurred outside the country.
The 82-year-old artist responded to the accusations in a statement posted on Instagram, rejecting the claims and expressing sadness over the situation. “I deny having abused, coerced, or disrespected any woman. These accusations are absolutely false and deeply sadden me,” Iglesias said, stressing that he has always treated those who worked with him with respect.
The allegations were first reported earlier this week and involve two women who were employed at Iglesias’s properties in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. One worked as a domestic employee, while the other was a physiotherapist. The women allege that they were subjected to sexual and other forms of abuse during their employment.
According to the complaint, the women worked at the singer’s Caribbean residences for about 10 months in 2021, which is the period during which the alleged incidents are said to have taken place. On 5 January, they filed a legal complaint with Spain’s National Court, which has jurisdiction over serious crimes allegedly committed beyond Spanish borders.
The complaint includes accusations of sexual assault and human trafficking. Advocacy organisations Women’s Link Worldwide and Amnesty International, which are supporting the complainants, said the alleged acts could constitute crimes related to sexual freedom and human trafficking for the purpose of forced labour under Spanish law.
Testimony gathered by the organisations alleges that the women were subjected to sexual harassment, had their mobile phones monitored, faced restrictions on leaving the properties where they worked, and were required to work long hours without days off. Women’s Link Worldwide described the complainants as young Latin American women in vulnerable situations who were heavily dependent on their wages due to their economic and social circumstances.
Iglesias has not been charged with any offence, and no judicial conclusions have been reached. The case remains under preliminary review as the court examines the complaint and accompanying evidence.
Fela Kuti Makes History as First African Honoured With Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award
Catherine O’Hara, star of Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone, dies at 71
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