Bruno Mars‘ "Just the Way You Are" was the biggest-selling digital single of 2011, with global sales topping more than 12 million downloads.
The Hawaii resident also had the second-largest seller, "Grenade" (10.2 million), as well as the 10th, "The Lazy Song" (6.5 million), according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
The numbers are astounding and alarming. Mars likely would have made a lot more moolah if the sales were actual records; but this is the digital generation, where downloading rules.
The top five also included "Party Rock Anthem," by LMFAO (third), "On the Floor," by Jennifer Lopez (fourth), and "Rolling in the Deep," by Adele (fifth).
Mars, who won his first Grammy last year for "Just the Way You Are," will be a performer and nominee at this year’s awards Feb. 12. The show will air on CBS. His six noms include "Grenade" (record and song of the year); his "Doo-Wops and Hooligans"is vying for album of the year. …
Further, Mars’ "It Will Rain," heard in the "Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1" film,is his fourth No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 40 chart. …
WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Actress Vanessa Hudgens, in town for a press tour for the Hawaii-filmed "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," opening Feb. 10, relaxed on Maui earlier this month with beau Austin Butler, an actor-model-singer. They swam, paddleboarded and kayaked. …
Besides the "NCIS: Los Angeles" crossover (Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J) to"Hawaii Five-0," the isle-based CBS series is expecting guests Shane Victorino, Dennis Miller and James Caan during February sweeps. …
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwieneris the official home of the Pro Bowl trophy, one of the traditions of the Pro Bowl game. An "unofficial" tradition, in its second year, is the Pro Bowl Cheerleaders dinner at Wolfgang’s, complete with hula lessons for the rooters. Publicist Mona Wood-Sword returns as "kumu." …
MEDICAL UPDATES: Songstress Joy Abbott is undergoing rehab treatment in Miami following a hip replacement. Her regimen includes hallway strolls, leg lifts and short stairway walks, with arm and shoulder therapy to support the use of a cane. "Golf is out of the picture until late March, just in time for the club championships," she said in an email. …
Therapists are working with singer-composer Randy Hongo, still undergoing chemo at City of Hope in Duarte, Calif.; he is coping with side effects such as fatigue, headaches and rising blood pressure. "I’ve had some wasted days with the chemo treatments but am feeling better now," he noted in an email. "But everyone’s support and prayers sustain me each day, with God’s grace and love strengthening from within." Curiously, he said he’s been having a lot of hiccups. Hongo shares his progress reports in a blog at a patient website, caringbridge.org. …
NAME-DROPPING: Loretta Ables Sayre lunched at California Pizza Kitchen at Kahala Mall while on hiatus from her "South Pacific" European tour and was joined by pals Jim Nabors and Stan Cadwallader, who happened to stroll in for lunch. Of course, Nabors shared some of his vintage and outrageous Hollywood tales from "Gomer Pyle" days. …
Sean Jones, 17, the actor-student son of musician Steve Jones, holidayed with family here and lunched at Mariposa at Neiman Marcus Ala Moana Center with his mentor, Jimmy Borges, who revealed insights into song interpretation. Busy Sean also joined Teresa Bright twice, singing at her ‘Ama ‘Ama restaurant gig at Disney’s Aulani Resort, and reconnected with his "Big River" director, Ron Bright. He’scontinuing his sophomore year at the Boston Conservatory, where he was chosen by the WISE Foundation as Emerging Artist of the Year (2011). …
And that’s "Show Biz." …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
