As the world has battled COVID-19, the entertainment industry has been put on pause. There have been over 2 million cases of COVID-19 globally with 166,000 deaths. In an effort to prevent spreading the virus, many festivals, movies, concerts, and tv shows have been postponed or canceled. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that all gatherings and events of 50 people or more be postponed. For many people in the concert business, summer is the most profitable season of the year. Many promoters host festivals across the nation in large amphitheaters or stadiums. According to Pollstar, the entertainment industry stands to miss out on more than $5 billion in ticket sales if there are no shows all summer. This does not include the lost revenue from advertising, merchandise, and food and beverages. The repercussions for the entertainment industry will be much worse and long-lasting. While many states are planning to reopen restaurants and movie theaters, there is no hope for those in the entertainment industry. Live music was one of the first industries to be affected by COVID-19. 

Even though celebrities can no longer go outside, many have looked to social media to interact with fans. Interactions include fundraisers and live streaming on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms. “Frozen” actor Josh Gad is reading bedtime stories nightly for families, and Lin-Manuel Miranda released a never-before-heard tune from “Hamilton.” Singers are also holding mini-concertsin their homes for fans.

Unfortunately, these postponements and cancelations have also affected seniors. Every year, many high school seniors look forward to attending the Hangout Fest in Gulf Shores, Alabama before graduation. Senior Mary Noble Howard said, “I would say that I am the most upset about the memories that won’t be made. I was planning on going with my friends from Millsaps and a lot of them are seniors. I’m really going to miss that time with them because they won’t be there when I get there next year. I was excited to get a fun “celebration” before graduation and to come back ready for a new beginning.” 

Here is a list of a few events and movies postponed : 

Harry Styles – Love on Love tour pushed back to 2021

Khalid – postponed Asia tour dates

Camila Cabello – postponed her Romance tour

Taylor Swift – performance at Capital One’s JamFest in Atlanta

Justin Bieber – postponement of 2020 Changes Tour 

BTS – Map of the Soul Tour to be rescheduled 

The Jonas Brothers – canceled their performance in Las Vegas 

Alabama Hangout Fest – canceled 

Coachella – postponed 

No Time to Die – postponed until November   

Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway -will be released on January 15, 2021

Mission Impossible 7 – production is halted 

Fast and Furious 9 – will be released on April 2, 2021 

Black Widow – released on November 6 

A Quiet Place II – will be released on September 4 

Mulan – released on July 24 

The Academy of Country Awards – suppose to air on September 16

2020 Billboard Music Awards – postponed 

Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards – postponed