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Belmont University’s new Center for Mental Health in Entertainment, launched by the University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business and the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, has tapped industry veteran and licensed clinical social worker Debbie Carroll as its executive director.
Carroll was most recently vp of entertainment and specialized services at Onsite Entertainment and previously spent more than 20 years as vp of health and human services at MusiCares.
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Carroll will also hold the position of CMA endowed chair as part of a $3 million gift from the Country Music Association to the new center. Two million dollars of that will go towards the creation of the chair and the executive director position, while the remaining $1 million will go toward programming. The $2 million will be matched by the Johnson Academic Challenge at Belmont, for a total of $5 million.
“I’m honored to step into this role and help lead a transformative initiative that places mental health at the heart of the entertainment industry,” said Carroll in a statement. “This Center represents a powerful opportunity to build a culture of care, resilience and innovation for artists and professionals across music, film, television and beyond. With Belmont’s deep commitment, and CMA’s visionary support, we’re poised to make a lasting impact, starting in Nashville and reaching far beyond.”
Belmont University Center for Mental Health in Entertainment
Courtesy
The Center will address the critical need for mental health research, education and resources in the entertainment industry. It will serve both students and industry professionals.
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern added, “As a trade association, it’s our responsibility to care for the people who make this industry thrive. Supporting their well-being has always been central to CMA’s mission, and through years of investments and partnerships, we’ve seen how access to care can change lives. This collaboration with Belmont allows us to take that support a step further—transforming advocacy into meaningful, long-term change. With a leader like Debbie Carroll guiding this work, we’re helping ensure a stronger, healthier music community for generations to come.”
Brittany Schaffer, dean of Curb College, said, “Our partners, like CMA, know a thriving entertainment industry begins with healthy, supported individuals connected by community. This center will invest in today’s leaders and creators, prepare the next generation to confidently navigate challenges, and serve as a model for how our industry can care for its own. Debbie Carroll has long been the trusted voice on mental health in entertainment—her wisdom, compassion and proven leadership have shaped the vision for this Center from the spark of the idea, and I have every confidence in her as our inaugural CMA Endowed Chair & Executive Director. With Debbie at the helm, we have the opportunity to forever change culture.”
Trending on Billboard Benson Boone was forced to pull the plug on his show at Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England on Saturday (Nov. 1) at the last minute due to vocal issues. According to a BBC report, in a since-expired statement posted to his Instagram Story, Boone apologized to fans for the missed date, saying […]
Back row: Lara Raj, Daniela Avanzini, Sophia Laforteza, Front row: Yoonchae Jeung, Manon Bannerman, Megan Meiyok Skiendiel of Katseye visit the Trü Frü backstage portrait studio at iHeartRadio’s 102.7 KIIS FM Wango Tango concert on May 10, 2025 in Huntington Beach, California.
Sara Jaye/Getty Images for Trü Frü
Trending on Billboard The Cure have announced the release date for The Show of a Lost World concert film, a full-length live performance featuring all the songs from the band’s most recent studio album, 2024’s Songs of a Lost World. The movie will play exclusively in theaters worldwide on Dec. 11 for a limited time, […]
Source: Savion Washington / Getty
It seems fans will have to wait a bit longer for A$AP Rocky to drop Don’t Be Dumb. He is in no rush to drop his already delayed project.
As spotted on Rap-Up, A$AP Rocky is still making headlines even though music has not been his primary focus over the last couple of years. Recently, he graced the cover of Perfect magazine, wearing pink foam rollers in his hair, and gave some updates regarding his fourth studio album. The “I Smoked Away My Brain” MC made it clear he is in no rush to release it to simply get a look. “I don’t do all these different endeavors just because I got to be the first at the top of the mountain and plant the flag,” Lord Flacko explained.
At his very core, A$AP lets his creativity guide him, not achieving another milestone in his discography. “I don’t do things to just try and stay relevant or keep my name in the conversation. I try to do natural things, creative, ambitious things that really satisfy me,” he said.
In September, A$AP Rocky welcomed his third child with Rihanna. Rocki Irish is their first daughter together. You can read his interview with Perfect here.
Trending on Billboard
Britney Spears‘ Instagram account has once again gone dark. Fans looking to get an update on the singer via her @britneyspears Insta page — featuring the screen name XILA MARIA RIVER RED — are not me with a message that reads: “Profile isn’t available. The link may be broken, or the profile my have been removed.”
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According to a variety of reports, the Spears Insta account appeared to go dark on Saturday (Nov. 1) or Sunday (Nov. 2), two weeks after the singer’s ex-husband, Kevin Federline, released his tell-all memoir, You Thought You Knew, which features salacious and scandalous stories involving the pop star from their two-plus years of marriage.
At press time Spears had not made any comment about her Instagram retreat, which marked the latest incident of her wiping away her Instagram page. The pop star went away briefly in 2021, then again in 2022 (twice) and has periodically gone dark on her socials over the past few years. The latest retreat comes after Spears repeatedly seemed to lash out over the allegations in Federline’s book in a series of Instagram posts in mid-October in which she wrote, “Its fun to tell stories at this point because this all might sound so silly but with what garbage literally is being said about me I said why not bring SUBSTANCE to the table.” Before that, Spears lashed out in another post at what she deemed “constant gaslighting” from Federline, to whom she was married from 2004-2007.
A few days earlier, she took another shot at people who “profit off my pain,” without naming names, but seemingly alluding to her financial situation with her ex, writing, “no money from Britney for 5 years you trying to get paid that’s what general America is saying weird you both have moved on… your kids are adults it’s a different world now … why is HE SO ANGRY.”
According to People, for weeks Britney’s fans have expressed concern about the 43-year-old star’s condition as she’s continued to post her signature dance videos amid cryptic messages about the two sons she shared with Federline, Sean Preston, 20, and Jayden James, 19. In addition, in a video posted on Oct. 7, Spears appeared to have bruises on her arms, bandages on both hands and on her right knee.
“Psss I fell down the stairs at my friend’s house… it was horrible… it snaps out now and then, not sure if it’s broken but for now it’s snapped in !!!,” she wrote in a TikTok post featuring her injuries.
In an Oct. 19 post, Spears also wrote about a four-month rehab stint she spent in 2018 in the midst of her 13-year conservatorship, claiming that, “I do feel like my wings were taken away and brain damage happened to me a long time ago 100 percent… I have of course moved on from that troubling time in my life and I’m blessed to be alive,” without elaborating on the time frame or nature of the reported brain injury.
Federline’s memoir features a variety of shocking claims about Spears, including allegations that she drank wine while she was pregnant with their children and did cocaine while she was breastfeeding. Spears’ team pushed back at the stories from the KFed memoir that leaked before publication, claiming that “once again he [Federline] and others are profiting off her and sadly it comes after child support has ended with Kevin. All she cares about are her kids, Sean Preston and Jayden James and their well-being during this sensationalism. She detailed her journey in her memoir.”
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Triple J has unveiled the nominees for the 2025 J Awards, recognizing standout achievements across Australian music and kicking off Ausmusic Month programming throughout November.
Now in its 21st year, the J Awards highlight excellence in recorded music, live performance and video, as well as emerging talent via triple j Unearthed. This year’s nominees span five categories: Australian Album of the Year, Unearthed Artist of the Year, Double J Artist of the Year, Australian Music Video of the Year (presented by rage and triple j), and Australian Live Act of the Year.
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The shortlist for Album of the Year includes DJANDJAY by Baker Boy, Deadbeat by Tame Impala, If That Makes Sense by Spacey Jane, Now Would Be A Good Time by Folk Bitch Trio, Look At Me Now by ONEFOUR, and Light hit my face like a straight right by Mallrat, among others. The list reflects a mix of charting acts and breakthrough names across hip-hop, indie rock, electronic and experimental pop.
In the Unearthed Artist of the Year category, Don West, Darcie Haven, Sam Alfred, Folk Bitch Trio, and PLAYLUNCH are all in the running. Meanwhile, punk outfit Amyl and the Sniffers lead the Double J Artist of the Year field alongside Paul Kelly, Gordi, Meg Washington, and Emily Wurramara.
On the visual side, five acts are nominated for Music Video of the Year, including Ninajirachi’s “Fuck My Computer,” RONA.’s “Show Me” and Ecca Vandal’s “CRUISING TO SELF SOOTHE.”
Triple J also named four nominees for Australian Live Act of the Year: Amyl and the Sniffers, Ball Park Music, Miss Kaninna and hardcore group SPEED.
Winners will be revealed on Wednesday, Nov. 12, starting at 3:30 p.m. AEDT, following deliberation by music and on-air teams across triple j, Unearthed, Double J and rage.
In addition to the awards, triple j’s Ausmusic Month celebrations include the “triple j 50 tour,” which hits Hobart, Newcastle, Adelaide, the Gold Coast and Torquay with performances from Ninajirachi, Tkay Maidza, Mallrat and more. Local acts will also take over weekly segments like Like a Version, Live at the Wireless and Friday Mix, culminating with Ausmusic T-Shirt Day on Nov. 27.
2025 J Awards Nominees
triple j Australian Album of the Year
Baker Boy – DJANDJAY
Folk Bitch Trio – Now Would Be A Good Time
grentperez – Backflips in a Restaurant
Mallrat – Light hit my face like a straight right
Ninajirachi – I Love My Computer
ONEFOUR – Look At Me Now
Spacey Jane – If That Makes Sense
Tame Impala – Deadbeat
The Rions – Everything Every Single Day
Thornhill – BODIES
Unearthed Artist of the Year
Don West
Darcie Haven
Sam Alfred
Folk Bitch Trio
PLAYLUNCH
Double J Australian Artist of the Year
Amyl and The Sniffers
Emily Wurramara
Gordi
Meg Washington
Paul Kelly
rage and triple j Australian Music Video of the Year
Drifting Clouds – “Bawuypawuy” (dir. Matt Sav)
Ecca Vandal – “CRUISING TO SELF SOOTHE” (dirs. Ecca Vandal and Richie Buxton)
Ninajirachi – “Fuck My Computer” (dir. Ball Bass John)
PLAYLUNCH – “Keith” (dir. Riley Nimbs)
RONA. – “Show Me” (dir. Tyson Perkins)
triple j Australian Live Act of the Year
Amyl and The Sniffers
Ball Park Music
Miss Kaninna
SPEED
For more information and full Ausmusic Month programming, visit triple j’s official website.
Trending on Billboard On Monday (Nov. 3), Billboard announced the launch of Billboard India to serve one of the world’s most rapidly growing music markets and showcase its talent to the world. In partnership with Other Side Ventures Pvt. Ltd., Billboard India will debut a host of offerings, including Billboard’s iconic charts, lists, music awards, […]
Trending on Billboard
Metallica’s long-awaited M72 World Tour stop in Perth took an unexpected turn over the weekend when two concertgoers were arrested and charged with trespassing after allegedly scaling a central tower inside Optus Stadium during the band’s performance.
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According to Western Australia Police, the incident occurred on Saturday (Nov. 1) during Metallica’s first Australian show since 2013. The two men — a 20-year-old from Carey Park and a 23-year-old from Australind — were removed from the venue and will face court for the dangerous stunt.
Police confirmed that a 20-year-old man from Carey Park and a 23-year-old man from Australind were arrested and charged with trespassing after scaling the structure.
“It will be alleged the men climbed up the central tower inside the bowl at the Metallica concert held at Optus Stadium on Saturday,” a WA Police spokesperson said, according to news.com.au.
The concert marked the band’s first return to Australian soil in over a decade. Their last local appearance was headlining the now-defunct Soundwave Festival in 2013, where they shared the bill with blink-182, Linkin Park, Slayer and Paramore.
Support came from Suicidal Tendencies and Evanescence, while fans lined up earlier in the week at a dedicated M72 pop-up shop in Perth, offering exclusive merch, screen-printed posters, vinyl, and tour-themed skateboards.
Metallica has enjoyed remarkable success on the Billboard charts, with their 1991 self-titled album, known as The Black Album, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and becoming one of the longest-charting albums in the chart’s history.
The band’s Australian tour continues with upcoming shows in Adelaide (Nov. 5), Melbourne (Nov. 8), Brisbane and Sydney over the next week. After wrapping their Australia and New Zealand shows, the rockers will continue the tour with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Their current M72 World Tour will wrap in July 2026, following dates in Europe and the U.K.
Full tour details are available on the band’s official website.
Trending on Billboard
Spotify has unveiled its most extensive out-of-home (OOH) and on-platform campaign to date in support of the 2025 ARIA Awards, spotlighting nominated Australian talent across more than 800 high-impact placements around the world — from major Australian cities to international landmarks including Times Square in New York and Leicester Square in London.
The campaign, launched in partnership with the ARIA Awards, aims to engage fans both locally and globally by integrating public voting directly into Spotify’s platform.
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Voting-enabled playlists are embedded within the app across four major categories: Best Australian Live Act, Song of the Year, Best Video and Most Popular International Artist. Fans are directed to the ARIA Awards hub via homepage banners, curated nominee spotlights, and QR codes displayed on select billboards.
According to Spotify, more than 250,000 Australians have already cast their votes through the platform, with engagement surpassing the past two years combined. Billboard placements across the U.S., U.K., and other key territories will continue to promote nominees in the lead-up to the ceremony, while winners will be celebrated globally after the ARIA Awards air on Nov. 19.
“The ARIA Awards 2025 campaign is Spotify’s most extensive local on-platform promotion ever — from in-app voting to high-impact OOH celebrations,” said Rosie Rothery, head of marketing at Spotify ANZ. “We’ve flexed the power of our platform and global footprint to put Australian artists and their success stories front and center.”
In addition to digital integrations, Spotify’s campaign includes a social media rollout, an ARIA Awards Spotify Artist Party, and the “Best of the ARIAs” collection — a curated shelf highlighting iconic Australian albums and past winners.
Annabelle Herd, CEO of ARIA, added: “The ARIA Awards 2025 are shaping up to be the biggest global platform to date for the incredible Australian artists making waves in culture around the world. As part of the ARIA Awards’ partnership with Spotify, we are thrilled to bring this year’s nominees to the streets that countless Australians travel day-in, day-out… before lighting up some of the world’s most iconic locations. This is what Aus music looks like on the world’s stage!”
The campaign continues Spotify’s 13-year commitment to promoting local music and complements its broader “Turn Up Aus” initiative focused on uplifting Australian artists.
