12 newsmakers that shook and shaped Hollywood in 2023

From remembering Matthew Perry and celebrating Taylor Swift, here's 2023 at a glance
PUBLISHED DEC 25, 2023
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and Matthew Perry's tragic death ruled the headlines in 2023 (Getty Images)
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and Matthew Perry's tragic death ruled the headlines in 2023 (Getty Images)

12 events that shook and shaped Hollywood in 2023 - From Donald Trump's mugshot to Taylor Swift's romance 

2023 at a glance (Getty Images)
'Barbie' and Taylor Swift romance ruled the headlines in 2023 (Getty Images)

As the year draws to a close in just one week, let us review the memorable events that have shaped Hollywood. The year has seen everything from Jeremy Renner's miraculous comeback at the start of the year to Taylor Swift's rise to global phenomenon status. While the world mourned the loss of a friend in the death of Matthew Perry, it also rejoiced in Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift finding love.

Jeremy Renner's snowplow accident

Jeremy Renner (instagram/@jeremyrenner)
Jeremy Renner was seriously injured in a snowplow accident (Instagram/@jeremyrenner)

The new year started with the shocking health scare of Jeremy Renner as he was involved in a snowplow accident and had to undergo surgery. After a long road to recovery, the Marvel star famously told Diane Sawyer, “I chose to survive.”

'Everything Everywhere All At Once' creates history at Oscars

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: (L-R) Jonathan Wang, Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, winners of the
Jonathan Wang, Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, winners of seven categories in Oscars 2023 (Getty Images)

'Everything Everywhere All at Once' created history in the Academy Awards 2023 by winning seven awards for the first time in more than a decade. Jonathan Wang bagged the Best Picture award for the film as well.

Hollywood turns 100

Hollywood, Warner Bros and Disney (Getty Images and Warner Bros.)
Hollywood, Warner Bros and Disney turned 100 in 2023 (Getty Images, Warner Bros)

2023 was a year of the century as Hollywood Sign, Warner Bros and Disney all turned 100 in 2023.

Barbenheimer fever

'Barbie,' starring Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie, debuted in theaters on July 21 with Christopher Nolan's epic 'Oppenheimer' (barbiethemovie, oppenheimermovie/Instagram)
Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie' debuted in theaters on July 21 with Christopher Nolan's epic 'Oppenheimer' (@barbiethemovie, @oppenheimermovie/Instagram)

'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' opened famously together in the theaters on July 21 in an epic face-off. Despite being films of two opposite natures, the two pictures grossed billions worldwide. 'Barbie' became the highest-grossing film of the summer and the year with $612 million in North America and $1.36 billion globally till September 3. 'Oppenheimer' exceeded expectations with $311 at the domestic box office and $850 million worldwide, per Variety.

SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike

A sign reads 'Unions Stand Together' as SAG-AFTRA members walk the picket line in solidarity with striking WGA (Writers Guild of America) workers outside Netflix offices on July 11, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Industry insiders concerned about the possibility of a potential actors’ strike will have to wait a little bit longer to know for sure. SAG-AFTRA and top studios and streamers have agreed to extend their current contract negotiations until July 12 at 11:59 p.m.
SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes brought Hollywood to a standstill (Getty Images)

Fifteen years after a similar strike, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on a strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on May 2 demanding better working conditions and pay. It went till September 27, 2023. Even SAG-AFTRA went on a strike against AMPTP on July 14 which went till November 9, 2023.

Russell Brand and Sean Diddy are accused of abuse

Russell Brand Sean Diddy (Getty Images)
Russell Brand and Sean Combs Diddy were accused of sexual abuse (Getty Images)

British actor and comedian Russell Brand has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse during the period of 2003 to 2016 when he was at the peak of his career, per BBC. In November, music mogul Sean Combs Diddy was accused of abuse by his ex-girlfriend Cassandra Ventura, better known as Cassie, per NPR.

Taylor Swift rules the world

Editorial use only and no commercial use at any time.  No use on publication covers is permitted after August 9, 2023. Taylor Swift performs onstage for the opening night of
Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour raked in billions in 2023 (Getty Images)

Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' becomes the highest-grossing concert tour of all time. Swift's net worth also skyrocketed as the singer is currently estimated to be worth $1.1 billion, per Forbes.

Tina Turner, Michael Gambon, Matthew Perry deaths

Michael Gambon, Matthew Perry and Tina Turner (Getty Images and Warner Bros.)
Michael Gambon, Matthew Perry and Tina Turner (Getty Images, Warner Bros)

Many stars were lost this year as the fans mourned the loss of their beloved Dumbledore, Michael Gaambon and Tina Turner. In October, the world also tragically lost the 'FRIENDS' actor Matthew Perry.

Donald Trump's mugshot

(Fulton County Sheriff’s Office)
Donald Trump's viral mugshot (Fulton County Sheriff’s Office)

Donald Trump created waves on the internet as he became the first former president to have his mugshot taken after surrendering for the alleged scheme to reverse the 2020 election results in Georgia. Trump went on to share the mugshot on his X account after a hiatus of more than two years.

Finding love 

Taylor Swift Selena Gomez (Getty Images and Instagram/@selenagomez)
Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez found love in 2023 (Getty Images, Instagram/@selenagomez)

2023 witnessed several couples finding love. Taylor Swift and her best friend Selena Gomez both found love in their respective boyfriends. While Swift shocked the world when she made her first appearance at the Kansas City Chiefs game on September 24 to support her beau Travis Kelce, Selena Gomez shared a PDA-packed photo of her new beau Benny Blanco on December 15.

Break up and divorce

Sophie Turner Kendall Jenner (Getty Images)
Sophie Turner and Kendall Jenner's splits sent shockwaves through their fandoms (Getty Images)

The cupid did not favor everyone as several celebrities witnessed breakups and divorces. Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny, after creating headlines all over the summer, recently parted ways in December. Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas who share two children got divorced after four years of marriage.

'Suits' is Number 1

Suits (USA Network)
'Suits' witnessed a resurgence in its popularity in 2023 (USA Network)

Four years after the show, 'Suits' witnessed a resurgence in its popularity as it stayed at the top of the streaming chart for 155 weeks. It also has the most No. 1 overall finishes in Nielsen Streaming Top 10 history.

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