The world of showbusiness never sleeps, and 2025 proved to be another year packed with jaw-dropping headlines, emotional farewells, and unforgettable moments. From the heights of space travel to dramatic on-stage scandals, here is a comprehensive look at the stories that dominated the entertainment landscape over the past twelve months.
Viral Scandals and Surprising Fallout
One of the year's most unexpected sagas began in July at a Coldplay concert in Boston, Massachusetts. During the band's famous 'KissCam' segment, frontman Chris Martin zoomed in on a couple who swiftly tried to hide their faces. Martin's joke about a potential affair sparked a viral frenzy online, leading to the identification of the pair as Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot, both executives at the tech firm Astronomer.
The relentless online attention forced both individuals to resign from their roles. In a bizarre twist, Astronomer later hired Gwyneth Paltrow—Martin's ex-wife—as a spokeswoman, though she carefully avoided the topic in her promotional video. Kristin Cabot later broke her silence, calling the incident "16 seconds that ruined my life."
Celestial Journeys and Earthly Headlines
In April, pop icon Katy Perry blasted into the headlines—and into space. The 41-year-old singer joined a six-woman crew, including broadcaster Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez, on Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin New Shepard rocket for an 11-minute suborbital flight.
A video shared by Blue Origin captured the crew floating in zero gravity, proclaiming "taking up space" in unison. Upon landing, Perry kissed the ground and held a daisy aloft in tribute to her daughter. The star described the experience as profoundly connecting her to love. Her personal life also made news following her split from actor Orlando Bloom and subsequent rumours linking her to former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.
Farewells to Legends and Beloved Faces
The music world mourned the loss of a true rock legend in July. Just weeks after a farewell concert in his hometown, Ozzy Osbourne died of a reported heart attack at age 76. Fans flocked to Birmingham city centre to pay respects as a hearse carried the Black Sabbath frontman past iconic locations, accompanied by a brass band playing his hits. His family laid pink roses at a memorial bench adorned with tributes, a poignant end for the self-styled 'Prince of Darkness'.
Television also said goodbye to a legendary duo. After more than two decades, Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they would step down following the 2025 Christmas special. Both MBEs, they received a message from Queen Camilla and golden Glitterball trophies as parting gifts, marking the end of an era for the BBC's flagship entertainment show.
Other Notable Moments from a Busy Year
Lily Allen made a powerful comeback with her album West End Girl, its lyrics sparking debate over their references to her ex-husband's alleged infidelity. She performed the track 'Madeline' on SNL with actress Dakota Johnson.
In happier news, Charli XCX dominated the Brit Awards and married The 1975 drummer George Daniel, while Taylor Swift got engaged to NFL star Travis Kelce and released another chart-topping album. The long-awaited Oasis reunion tour kicked off triumphantly in Cardiff, with brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher holding hands on stage.
The year also saw its share of splits, with presenters Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty among those announcing separations. Meanwhile, reality TV sparked a romance between JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes on Celebrity Big Brother. Strictly controversy continued with Thomas Skinner alleging his elimination was "rigged" after a series of personal scandals.
From the depths of viral drama to the stars themselves, 2025 provided a relentless, captivating spectacle that kept the world of entertainment firmly in the spotlight.
