We’ve made it to the end of the year 2023! It’s safe to say this year gifted us with treasured TV & film memories. Rihanna floated in Fenty above the 50-yard line whilst being pregnant at the Super Bowl LVII. Angela Bassett did the thing. Beyonce’s Renaissance ran the world. Halle Bailey made a splash in our hearts with her role in The Little Mermaid. After almost 6 months, the Hollywood strikers reached an agreement. And we said goodbye to some of our Hollywood heros.
Take a look at our handpicked selections of the Biggest TV & Film Moments of 2023.
Rihanna’s Super Bowl LVII 2023 Performance
In 2022, we witnessed months of speculation of performers for the Super Bowl LVII halftime show. Janet Jackson and Taylor Swift were among the various names rumored to be on stage. But the NFL sent Rihanna fans into a frenzy after confirming she would headline the show. In an interview with Apple Music’s Nadeska Alexis, Rihanna teased that she would include a special guest in her performance – hinting at her second pregnancy. The Super Bowl LVII 2023 was a history-making celebration of Rihanna’s catalog, motherhood and shameless plug of her billion dollar beauty brand.
Angela Bassett ‘Did The Thing’
Actress Ariana DeBose namechecked Bassett while honoring female nominees in a rap at the Bafta Awards. “Angela Bassett did the thing, Viola Davis my Woman King,” she sang with an accompanying shoulder-shimmy. While DeBose intended for the moment to be a playful performance, critics found the moment to be cringeworthy. It was presumably meant as a reference to Bassett’s powerful performance as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
But the lyric was so vague and seemingly random. Hence, social media delighted in the fact it can be endlessly adapted for any person and any situation.
Halle Bailey in the Little Mermaid
Halle Bailey made quite the splash after being casted as Ariel in the 2023 adaptation of The Little Mermaid. Her portrayal marked a crucial step forward in promoting diversity and inclusivity in the entertainment industry, sending a powerful message about representation to audiences of all backgrounds.
WGA & SAG-AFTRA Hollywood Strike
Film and TV production came to a halt in May when the Writers Guild of America (WGA) called for a strike. By July SAG-AFTRA members joined in on the work stoppage resulting in a greater impact on production – halting shoots worldwide and derailing studio plans.
To prevent the collapse of the entire industry, a tentative agreement was made to allow for compensation increases, guardrails from the threat of AI, and equitable residual payments for streaming.
The WGA’s strike ended on September 27, 2023, while the SAG-AFTRA strike concluded on November 9, 2023.
‘Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé’
Beyoncé’s album Renaissance drew on generations’ worth of Black and queer dance music — and the subsequent tour packed stadiums with a lavish spectacle. Further maximizing the success of the album & tour, Queen Bey concluded her 2023 Renaissance run with a documentary – Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé. The movie chronicled the development of her world tour including intimate behind-the-scenes footage from the normally private singer. To no surprise, the opening weekend racked in $21 million.
Our Fallen Heros
Tina Turner
The music world mourned the loss of the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll on May 24th.
Harry Belafonte
“The King of Calypso” passed away at the age of 96 on April 24th, 2023.
Richard Roundtree
Roundtree passed away on October 23. He was best known for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 blaxploitation film Shaft and four of its sequels.
Lance Reddick
Actor Lance Reddick, best known for his work on HBO’s “The Wire” and the “John Wick” movie franchise, died on May 17.