Does 'Stars Waited Above' Have A Sequel?

Kirk Franklin sits in that upper tier of gospel artists in ways that make sense once you look past the headlines. Most public estimates place his net worth in the low-to-mid millions—commonly around the $10–15 million range—though numbers vary by source. That puts him ahead of many full-time gospel singers who rely mostly on album sales and church tours, but a bit behind the mega-ministry entrepreneurs who combine ministry with large media empires and publishing businesses. What really lifts Kirk's financial profile is the mix: he's not just a performer, he's a writer, producer, and collaborator. He earns from royalties, songwriting credits, touring, TV appearances, and publishing. Compare that to someone who mainly performs live or sells records—Kirk tends to have more diverse income. Artists like CeCe Winans and Yolanda Adams often sit in a comparable neighborhood, while pastor-entrepreneurs or crossover stars can eclipse them because their enterprises include book deals, conferences, and media companies. At the end of the day, I see Kirk as one of those gospel figures whose influence translated into stable wealth without him becoming a billion-dollar mogul. He's comfortably successful, and his creative legacy is as valuable to me as whatever number shows up online.

I've gone hunting for an instrumental of 'Rewrite the Stars' more times than I can count, and I usually start by checking the legit storefronts first. If you want a clean, legal download, look on iTunes/Apple Music and Amazon Music for an instrumental or karaoke version tied to 'The Greatest Showman' soundtrack — sometimes the official soundtrack will include an instrumental or there'll be a licensed karaoke release. Another reliable place is karaoke-version.com, which sells high-quality WAV/MP3 backing tracks and even lets you customize the mix (remove instruments, change key, etc.). For streaming and offline play, KaraFun and Spotify sometimes have instrumental/karaoke listings, though downloads there may require a subscription. I try to avoid sketchy "YouTube ripper" sites; they often violate copyright and can carry malware. If I’m planning to perform or post a cover, I check licensing options so I don’t get surprised by takedowns. Overall, purchasing a licensed backing track from a reputable store gives the best audio and the clearest conscience — and it makes practicing way less annoying. I always feel nicer paying a few bucks for good sound quality and peace of mind.

Buatku, 'Rewrite the Stars' adalah lagu yang soal cinta menantang takdir — kalau aku mencoba menjelaskan dalam bahasa Indonesia, intinya adalah tentang dua orang yang saling ingin bersama tapi dihalangi oleh keadaan. Baris chorus yang terkenal, "What if we rewrite the stars? Say you were made to be mine..." bisa diterjemahkan menjadi, "Bagaimana jika kita menulis ulang bintang-bintang? Katakan kau memang dibuat jadi milikku..." Lagu ini bicara tentang keinginan untuk mengubah nasib yang nampak sudah ditentukan: keluarga, aturan sosial, atau rintangan lain. Kata 'rewrite' di sini terasa seperti harapan aktif, bukan sekadar mimpi — ingin menulis kembali aturan alam semesta supaya cinta mereka dimungkinkan. Di luar terjemahan literal, ada nuansa protes lembut: menolak dikekang oleh suara-suara yang bilang "itu tidak mungkin." Lagu ini juga menggambarkan perbedaan sudut pandang — satu pihak optimis dan penuh keberanian, pihak lain realistis atau takut. Aku suka bagaimana melodi dan harmoni duetnya bikin perasaan itu terasa nyata; setelah mendengar, aku jadi kepikiran betapa sering kita sendiri ingin 'menulis ulang' bagian hidup kita juga.

Aku sering membandingkan versi 'Rewrite the Stars' yang asli dengan berbagai covernya, dan perbedaan utama yang selalu menarik perhatianku adalah konteks emosional. Versi asli—yang dipentaskan dalam film—bernuansa teatrikal: ada drama, dialog antar karakter, dan aransemen orkestra yang mendukung cerita cinta yang terasa besar dan hampir sinematik. Sementara cover bisa mengubah arti itu total. Cover akustik misalnya, menyusutkan skala jadi lebih intim; tanpa paduan suara dan orkestra, liriknya terasa seperti curahan pribadi, bukan adegan panggung. Cover elektronik atau remix malah bisa mengubah mood jadi dingin atau klub, sehingga pesan tentang takdir dan kebebasan terasa lebih modern atau bahkan sinis. Aku suka bagaimana satu lagu bisa jadi banyak cerita — tiap penyanyi menekankan bagian lirik berbeda, sehingga kata-kata seperti "rewrite the stars" bisa terdengar sebagai harapan, penolakan, atau tantangan. Di samping itu, versi asli membawa konteks visual film yang menuntun interpretasi; cover yang berdiri sendiri sering memberi ruang buat pendengar menaruh pengalaman pribadi ke dalam lagu. Intinya, makna bergeser lewat aransemen, vokal, dan konteks—dan itu yang selalu membuatku senang mendengar ulang.

Looking back at 2015, a year bursting with thrilling cinema, a few stars truly lit it up! One standout was Alicia Vikander in 'Ex Machina.' She played a lifelike AI that mesmerized both the audience and the protagonist, creating an intense dynamic that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Her performance was haunting yet captivating, and it established her as a serious talent in the industry. Also, who could forget about Jacob Tremblay in 'Room'? Even at such a young age, he handled intense scenes with such maturity, making viewers feel every ounce of his character's emotional turmoil. Another mention goes to Idris Elba in 'Beasts of No Nation.' Elba's portrayal of a warlord was chilling and made the film even more gripping. His ability to convey both fear and commanding presence changed the whole game for that story. Honestly, 2015 was such a pivotal year for these actors, showcasing their range and talent in films that left a deep impact.

Walking into 'Young Sheldon' feels like opening a time capsule of nerdy childhood and family chaos, and the cast is a big reason why. At the center is Iain Armitage as young Sheldon Cooper — he nails the awkward brilliance and deadpan delivery that makes the character so fun to watch. Zoe Perry plays Mary Cooper, Sheldon's patient but firm mom; she balances faith, worry, and fierce protection with subtlety. Lance Barber brings dry, weary warmth as George Cooper Sr., the imperfect dad trying to hold everything together. Supporting the family are Montana Jordan as Georgie (Sheldon's older brother) and Raegan Revord as Missy, whose sibling dynamics are a constant source of laughs and heart. Annie Potts steals scenes as Constance ‘Meemaw’ Tucker, delivering sassy one-liners with perfect timing. And you can’t forget Jim Parsons — he doesn’t play young Sheldon on-screen, but his voice as the adult Sheldon narrator and his role behind the scenes connect the show back to 'The Big Bang Theory'. I love how the ensemble mixes comedy and tenderness; it feels lived-in, not just a prequel gimmick.

Lately I've been diving into modern biopics and I ended up watching 'Priscilla' and comparing it to other takes on Elvis's life. Sofia Coppola directed 'Priscilla' (2023), and she cast Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla Presley with Jacob Elordi playing Elvis. Coppola's version is intimate, quiet, and filtered through her signature aesthetic — it's really more about Priscilla's point of view than about spectacle. If you meant the more mainstream, big-stage depiction where Priscilla appears as a supporting lead, that's Baz Luhrmann's 'Elvis' (2022). Luhrmann directed that one and Austin Butler starred as Elvis, while Olivia DeJonge played Priscilla. Both films show the same people from very different angles: Coppola leans inward and melancholic, Luhrmann goes loud and kinetic. I found each illuminating in its own way, and I liked how Cailee Spaeny and Olivia DeJonge brought distinct emotional clarity to Priscilla's story.

Imagine a rom‑com that leans into cozy late‑night conversations and tiny cosmic coincidences — that’s how I see 'Count Your Lucky Stars' in my head, and I get picky about casting because chemistry carries these stories. I’d put Emma Stone at the center as the lead, playing Ivy: a jaded horoscope columnist whose job is to fabricate hope and yet secretly doesn’t believe half of what she writes. Emma’s knack for quippy defensiveness with a soft, quietly vulnerable core would make Ivy both hilarious and heartbreakingly real. Opposite her, I’d cast Dev Patel as Miles, a pragmatic urban planner who designs parks the way people design their lives — with careful measurements and an aversion to surprises. He’s charmingly earnest and slightly bewildered by Ivy’s chaos, and Dev can nail that warm, steady presence that slowly unravels in the best ways. The supporting cast matters just as much. Awkwafina would be the best friend who runs a cozy record shop and shoves terrible indie matchups at Ivy; she delivers comic timing plus emotional ballast. For a mentor figure I love the idea of Ken Watanabe as a retired astrologer who’s equal parts mystic and curmudgeon — giving Ivy cryptic advice that turns out to be useful in unexpected ways. Tonally, think sharp dialogue, soft lighting, and a soundtrack mixing old soul records with new indie folk — a blend that lets small gestures feel monumental. I’d direct it with someone who understands both comedy and melancholic beats, so the film never tips into too-sugary territory but still believes in romantic serendipity. Beyond casting, what hooks me is the little world-building: Ivy’s office crammed with typewritten horoscopes, Miles holding a miniature model of a park he’s terrified to present, a rooftop scene where two characters share a ridiculous slice of pizza at 2 a.m. Those moments make the roles feel lived-in rather than just archetypes. If executed right, this version of 'Count Your Lucky Stars' would feel like slipping into a conversation with an old friend—witty, a touch bruised, and impossible to stop smiling at. I’d buy a ticket immediately, and probably cry a little during the last scene.