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Bad Bunny pays homage to his native island with the release of his sixth solo album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos (out Sunday, Jan. 5), a celebration of Puerto Rican culture and history.
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“I’ve been dreaming about this album for years, and seeing it come to life has brought me immense happiness,” Bad Bunny said in a press release. “I’ve always been honest with my followers, and through this new production, they’ll continue to learn more about me as I, too, discover more about myself. This album is the result of the experiences that have led me to get to know myself better, even getting to know the rhythms I enjoy most — the ones I truly enjoy singing and creating.”
The 17-track album showcases a lineup of Puerto Rican talent, including collaborative efforts with Chuwi, Dei V, Omar Courtz, Pleneros de la Cresta and RaiNao. He brings traditional Afro-Puerto Rican styles like plena and jíbara with contemporary reggaetón and synths, with the help of MAG, Tainy, La Paciencia and emerging beat makers Big Jay and Saox.
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“I am Puerto Rican, I am Caribbean, and my music, my culture, my country’s history run through my veins, from plena to reggaetón,” Benito added. “At the peak of my career and popularity, I want to show the world who I am, who BENITO ANTONIO is, and who PUERTO RICO is.”
Debí Tirar Más Fotos follows the unparalleled success of his previous albums — Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana (2023), Un Verano Sin Ti (2022) and El Último Tour del Mundo (2020) — which all soared to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making Bad Bunny the only Latin artist to achieve this milestone.
Stream the album below.
As of Saturday (Jan. 4), Justin Bieber has unfollowed Scooter Braun on Instagram.
The two have been linked since 2008, when Braun started managing the then-13-year-old Bieber after discovering him on YouTube. But over the past few years, their relationship became rocky and in 2023, the superstar was “actively looking at how he might extract himself from [it],” Billboard reported at the time.
As of August 2023, Billboard reported that Bieber was still under contract for about four more years, following a series of amendments to his deal with Braun made in 2020. In the same report, sources familiar with Bieber’s business dealings said he was focused on resolving his predicament with Braun at the time.
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By June 2024, Braun announced his retirement from management (he maintains his role as CEO of HYBE America — the North American iteration of South Korean entertainment company HYBE). His news followed a string of headlines about artists leaving his SB Projects, including Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato and J Balvin.
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“23 years. That’s how long I have been a music manager,” Braun wrote in a statement posted to Instagram at the time. And while he shared several highlights from his management career, he dedicated a paragraph entirely to Grande and Bieber, writing: “Justin and Ariana were both young teenagers when I began with them. Justin a 13 year old kid busking in Canada and Ariana a young actress on Nickelodeon. To see them both come up to be the legends they are today will forever be one of my greatest honors. As we change our working relationships now, I will continue to root for them with the same passion that I did at each of their humble beginnings.”
In August 2024, Bieber and his wife Hailey Bieber welcomed their first child, Jack Blues Bieber. And in September, indie-rocker Mk.gee revealed to The New York Times that he’s been in studio sessions with Bieber, saying “he’s searching.”
Bieber’s last album, Justice, was released in 2021. It became his eighth No. 1 entry on the Billboard 200.
Selena Gomez was photographed on two red carpets, styled in contrasting and confident looks, in Palm Springs, California, on Friday and Saturday (Jan. 3 and 4).
Gomez was in town for the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Film Awards Gala, where she accepted the Vanguard Award with the cast of Emilia Pérez and the film’s director, Jacques Audiard.
The singer-actress walked the Palm Springs Film Fest red carpet Friday night in a custom, monochromatic suit by Ralph Lauren. The pearl-white, menswear-inspired ensemble included long-length trousers that covered her shoes, which were paired with a sheer top worn under a vest and an open blazer, all topped off with a matching necktie. Her hair was smoothly pulled back in a bun.
Meanwhile, a Saturday brunch organized by Variety saw Gomez looking demure in a baby pink, tweed Oscar de la Renta minidress with long sleeves, a modest neckline, and a short skirt featuring cherry blossom-embroidered pockets. The dress, from the designer’s pre-fall 2025 collection, was complemented by light pink heels and soft, wavy hair parted in the middle and worn down.
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The brunch was held to recognize the publication’s 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards. Emilia Pérez director Audiard was honored with the Creative Impact in Directing Award.
“Your films are not just entertainment, they’re experiences,” Gomez said in tribute to her director. “Emilia Pérez is a powerful and poignant exploration of love, loss and the human condition. It is a true honor ro celebrate your incredible talent.”
Gomez, who’s engaged to marry producer Benny Blanco, wore her marquise-cut diamond engagement ring both days. The couple recently shared sweet photos from their time together over the holidays and celebrating the new year.
See Gomez’s complete red carpet looks, styled by Erin Walsh, from the Palm Springs Film Festival on Friday and Variety‘s brunch on Saturday:
Selena Gomez attends the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards at Palm Springs Convention Center on Jan. 3, 2025 in Palm Springs, California.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Palm Springs International Film Society
Selena Gomez attends Variety Presents The Creative Impact Awards and 10 Directors to Watch Brunch at Parker Palm Springs on Jan.4 , 2025 in Palm Springs, California.
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Ariana Grande and Nicole Kidman together on the red carpet had cameras flashing Friday night (Jan. 3) at the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Film Awards Gala.
“Oh my god,” Kidman cried out when seeing Grande headed her way at the fest. The two stars embraced, held hands and seemingly dished out compliments, though camera mics didn’t pick up their conversation, at least in video footage of the moment captured by The Associated Press or The Hollywood Reporter.
Arms around each other, they posed for photographers, as seen in the clip from THR above. During their interaction Grande also gave the actress a small bow, which Kidman — who’s quite a bit taller than the pop star — leaned down to reciprocate.
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Though they haven’t worked together yet, Grande and Kidman were originally both cast in the 2020 Netflix musical The Prom. Grande had to drop out of filming due to tour scheduling conflicts, and Ariana DeBose filled the role.
With Oscar nominations voting set to begin on Wednesday, many of Hollywood’s biggest names attended the Palm Springs fest to present or accept honors at the gala. (As THR points out, there’s often a number of Academy members in the crowd — and there’s still time to sway the race for the Academy Awards.)
Grande was in Palm Springs to accept the Rising Star Award, presented by Jennifer Coolidge, for her work in the hit 2024 feature film adaptation of the musical Wicked, for which she’s predicted to be a frontrunner to receive a supporting actor nom at the Oscars.
“I’ve been performing since I was a child, so I never thought at the age of 31 I would be hearing the words ‘Rising Star’ again. So I wanted to start by thanking my good friends Botox and Juvéderm. I thought I’d be hearing ‘Slightly Withering Star,’ or ‘Drooping Star’ by now, so thank you,” the charming Grande joked, breaking the ice during her Rising Star acceptance speech at the Palm Springs Film Fest, where she said, “Being able to play Glinda the Good” was “the honor of my life,” and that before music, her start as a performer was in stand-up — her grandparents’ living room being her first venue, and $5 her first paycheck.
Grande employed humor and sincerity in her speech, while Kidman was overcome with emotion in hers. The Babygirl star was honored with the International Star Award, presented by Jamie Lee Curtis. Curtis held Kidman’s hand through a genuine speech in which the actress broke down in tears over the recent death of her mother.
“My whole career has been for my mom and my dad, and they’re not here anymore,” Kidman said. “I want to keep working and giving to the world. I’m sorry I’m crying. I didn’t want to do that, but I feel my mama right now. This is for you, Mama.”
See more pictures of Grande and Kidman’s sweet run-in on the Palm Springs Film Fest red carpet:
Nicole Kidman and Ariana Grande attend the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards at Palm Springs Convention Center on Jan. 3, 2025 in Palm Springs, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Nicole Kidman and Ariana Grande attend the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards at Palm Springs Convention Center on Jan. 3, 2025 in Palm Springs, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Nicole Kidman and Ariana Grande attend the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards at Palm Springs Convention Center on Jan. 3, 2025 in Palm Springs, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
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PHOTOS: President Biden Honors Nineteen with Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Joe Biden awarded the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom to nineteen individuals in a ceremony that celebrated their extraordinary contributions across various fields.
This award, the nation’s highest civilian honor, is granted to individuals who have profoundly impacted the country and the world through their achievements and service.
At the forefront of the honorees were sports icons Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Lionel Messi.
Johnson, known for his legendary basketball career with the Los Angeles Lakers, was celebrated not only for his athletic achievements but also for his groundbreaking advocacy on HIV/AIDS awareness and his community-focused philanthropy.
Messi, one of soccer’s most decorated stars, was recognized for his contributions to education and healthcare through the Leo Messi Foundation and his role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received a standing ovation for her historic public service, including her milestones as the first woman nominated for president by a major U.S. political party.
Actor Michael J. Fox, an advocate for Parkinson’s disease research, was honored alongside fellow Hollywood legend Denzel Washington, who has been long recognized for his mentorship work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Notable cultural figures included Bono, U2’s frontman, whose activism against poverty and HIV/AIDS has brought together politicians across aisles to drive impactful programs such as the PEPFAR AIDS initiative.
Vogue editor Anna Wintour was recognized for her lasting influence in the fashion world and her philanthropic efforts supporting arts and AIDS research.
Chef José Andrés, famed for his humanitarian efforts through World Central Kitchen, was celebrated for providing critical food relief in disaster zones worldwide.
Philanthropist George Soros, known for championing democracy and human rights through his Open Society Foundations, also received the honor alongside others such as conservationist Jane Goodall, who has revolutionized the field of animal behavior and environmental advocacy.
Posthumous awards were given to figures like civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer, whose activism paved the way for the Voting Rights Act, and former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who is remembered for his fight for racial justice and equality.
President Biden praised the recipients for their “remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment” to bettering the world. Spanning the fields of public service, arts, sports, and activism, this year’s awardees exemplified the core values of courage, dedication, and a vision for progress.
Take a look below at photos of the Nineteen Presidential Medal of Freedom Honorees.
PHOTOS: President Biden Honors Nineteen with Presidential Medal of Freedom
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1. Magic Johnson
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Former NBA player Earvin “Magic” Johnson the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
2. Bill Nye
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Science advocate and television host Bill Nye the Presidential Medal Of Freedom.
3. Hillary Clinton
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
4. Denzel Washington
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Former Actor Denzel Washington the Medal of Freedom.
5. Jose Andres
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Chef Jose Andres the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
6. Bono
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards U2 singer Bono the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
7. Michael J. Fox
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Actor Michael J. Fox the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
8. Jane Goodall
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
9. Anna Wintour
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Anna Wintour the presidential Medal of Freedom.
10. Tim Gill
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Human rights activist Tim Gill the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
11. Ralph Lauren
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Fashion designer Ralph Lauren the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
12. David M. Rubenstein
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Philanthropist David M. Rubenstein the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
13. George Stevens, Jr.
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Writer, director, author, and playwright George Stevens, Jr. the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
14. Alex Soros
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Alex Soros the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
15. George Stevens Jr.
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Writer, playwright, and creator of the Kennedy Center Honors George Stevens Jr. the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
16. Mitt Romney
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Sen. Mitt Romney the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
17. Ash Carter
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Stephanie Carter, widow of the late U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
18. Robert F. Kennedy
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Kerry Kennedy on behalf of her late father Robert F. Kennedy the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
19. Fannie Lou Hamer
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U.S. President Joe Biden awards Doris Hamer Richardson, niece of late civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Brenton Wood, the soul singer best known for his 1967 hit “The Oogum Boogum Song,” has died at the age of 83.
Wood passed away on Friday (Jan. 3), at his home in Moreno Valley, Calif., surrounded by family and friends, according to his manager and assistant, Manny Gallegos, TMZ reports.
Gallegos confirmed to The New York Post that Wood died of natural causes. “He went in his sleep peacefully. The love that he gave us, God took him the same way,” Gallegos said.
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The manager also shared a final message from Wood to his fans: “He said, ‘Catch you on the rebound,’” referring to a 1967 song and the title of his final tour, which wrapped up over Valentine’s Day weekend in 2024. Wood began feeling ill shortly after the tour and was hospitalized last May.
Born Alfred Jesse Smith in Shreveport, La., Wood relocated with his family to San Pedro, Calif., in the 1950s. He later attended college in Southern California, where he began nurturing his passion for music, drawing inspiration from artists like Jesse Belvin and Sam Cooke. A self-taught pianist, Wood wrote songs and harmonized with neighborhood friends. He adopted the stage name Brenton Wood, drawing inspiration from the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.
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After signing with Double Shot Records in 1967, Wood released three of his biggest hits that same year: “The Oogum Boogum Song” (which reached No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100), “Gimme Little Sign” (peaking at No. 9 on the Hot 100) and “Baby You Got It” (hitting No. 34 on the Hot 100). “The Oogum Boogum Song” and “Gimme Little Sign” both peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard‘s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while “Baby You Got It” reached No. 30 on that chart.
In 1972, he founded his own label, Prophesy Records, and later released music under Mr. Wood Records.
Over the years, “The Oogum Boogum Song” has reached new audiences through its inclusion in popular TV shows and movies such as The Umbrella Academy, Almost Famous and Don’t Worry Darling, among others.
“It’s hard to be in a bad mood after you hear the ‘Oogum Boogum Song,’” NPR wrote in 2023. “Probably not worth the effort.”
“It’s a silly title and has silly lyrics, too. But there’s something about the feeling. That almost playful falsetto, the drums bouncing along, the jangly guitar hits.”
During his career, Wood believed in “giving back” and frequently performed at schools and community outreach events throughout Southern California, according to his website. During these appearances, the musician would share his personal and professional challenges and successes, offering a message of empowerment with an emphasis on education and a “can do” attitude to inspire youth, the site states.
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You can now add Tim Cook to the growing list of big tech CEOs who have decided to kiss the orange menace, Donald Trump’s ring.
Donald Trump just got $1 million from Tim Apple, oops, we mean Tim Cook, for his upcoming inauguration, Axios exclusively reports.
According to the website, Cook will personally donate the money to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural committee, according to sources close to the matter told Axios.
Axios reports the donation “reflects a long, collaborative relationship between Trump and Cook that included many meetings during Trump’s first term, and dinner at Mar-a-Lago last month.”
Sources told Axios that the Alabama native’s reasoning for the $1 million donation is that he believes the inauguration—which Trump famously skipped out on because he’s a sore loser and pushed the big lie that the 2020 election was stolen from him—continues to be a great American tradition, and his generous gift is in the spirit of unity.
Axios also notes that Apple, a massive contributor to the US economy and the largest taxpayer in the country, will not be sending Orange Mussolini any money.
Cook joins other big tech CEOs, such as Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Uber, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
Tim Cook Is Getting Cooked
While he means well, social media is not trying to hear about “unity,” especially regarding the divider-in-chief who makes it his business to sow discord and push conspiracies.
Senator Elizabeth Warren didn’t bite her tongue to the news, writing in a post on X, formerly Twitter, “It’s no secret why Apple’s CEO is sucking up to Donald Trump: Republicans are planning more corporate tax cuts that would give Apple an extra $2.7 billion in handouts.”
It’s no secret why Apple’s CEO is sucking up to Donald Trump: Republicans are planning more corporate tax cuts that would give Apple an extra $2.7 billion in handouts. https://t.co/mzMM3tl2WT
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 4, 2025
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Warren is not alone in cooking Tim Cook on X. The gallery below shows more reactions.
1. We all collectively considered chucking our iPhones at the news of Tim Cook’s donation
2. A worthy headline to perfectly describe what is going on
3. Damn Tim, they calling you a sellout
6. Ruh Roh
7. It might be
Wayne Osmond, the second-oldest of the legendary Osmonds, died on Jan. 1. He was 73 years old.
Wayne, one of nine Osmond siblings, started a barbershop quartet in 1958 alongside his brothers Alan, Merrill and Jay. After getting discovered from a Disneyland performance, the boys were cast over a seven-year period on NBC’s The Andy Williams Show beginning in 1962. When brothers Jimmy and Donny joined the group, they became known as the Osmonds and were standout teen idols throughout the ‘70s.
The Osmonds formed in their hometown of Ogden, Utah. Their mother, Olive, reflected on their origin, born of their Mormon faith, in a 1976 interview, as recounted in Fred Bronson’s The Billboard Book of Number One Hits. “The church encourages talent, beginning with such things as singing, sports and speeches when the children are small,” she mused. “That’s how the four boys started singing together.”
The Osmonds charted four top 10s, among 10 top 40 hits, on the Billboard Hot 100, including the 1971 No. 1 “One Bad Apple.” Alan and Merrill Osmond co-wrote “Down by the Lazy River” (No. 4, 1972), the group’s biggest self-penned hit. The act achieved its top-charting album on the Billboard 200 with Phase-III, which reached No. 10 in 1972. The Osmonds tallied 13 titles on the tally through 2008.
Following 13 Hot 100 hits in 1971-76, the Osmonds disbanded in the summer of 1980. They reformed in 1982, minus Donny, and logged 11 entries on the Hot Country Songs chart, through 1986, led by their introductory hit at the format, the top 20-peaking “I Think About Your Lovin’.”
Amid the Osmonds’ chart dominance as a group, Donny scored solo success, earning five Hot 100 top 10s in 1971-73, including the three-week No. 1 “Go Away Little Girl,” which led seven months after “One Bad Apple.” After a 13-year-break from the chart, he returned and marched to No. 2 in 1989 with “Soldier of Love.”
Plus, Donny and sister Marie Osmond notched seven Hot 100 hits in 1974-78, including two top 10s. Marie forged her own successful career in country, running up four Hot Country Songs No. 1s in 1973-86.
On Jan. 2, Donny shared a heartfelt tribute on X, writing, “Wayne brought so much light, laughter and love to everyone who knew him, especially me. He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone. I’m sure I speak on behalf of every one of us siblings when I state that we were fortunate to have Wayne as a brother.”
Below, browse the Osmonds’ 10 biggest career hits as a group on the Hot 100.
The Osmonds’ Biggest Billboard Hits chart is based on actual performance on the weekly Hot 100 chart from its Aug. 4, 1958, inception, through Jan. 4, 2025. Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at No. 100 earning the least. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, eras are weighted to account for different chart turnover rates over various periods.
“Goin’ Home”
Bono is among 19 individuals who will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, President Joe Biden announced on Saturday (Jan. 4).
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In addition to the U2 frontman, other recipients include Hillary Clinton, NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, soccer icon Lionel Messi, Bill Nye the Science Guy, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, George Soros, designer Ralph Lauren, chef José Andrés and conservationist Jane Goodall.
“President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else,” the White House wrote in a statement. “These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America and the world a better place. They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.”
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The statement also noted that the Presidential Medal of Freedom is “presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
In honoring Bono, the White House highlighted the legendary Irish rocker as a “pioneering activist against AIDS and poverty,” noting his role in uniting politicians from opposing parties to create the U.S. PEPFAR AIDS program. Bono is also the co-founder of advocacy organizations ONE and (RED).
The Presidential Medal of Freedom will be presented at the White House on Saturday.
The announcement comes just weeks after U2 released How to Re-assemble an Atomic Bomb, a special edition celebrating the 20th anniversary of How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb with previously unreleased tracks from the 2004 album’s recording sessions. In September, U2 premiered V-U2: An Immersive Concert Film at Sphere Las Vegas, showcasing their historic residency at The Sphere in Sin City.
U2’s most recent album, Songs of Surrender, was released in March 2023 and reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200.
Britney Spears is giving fans another glimpse into her special Christmas with her son, Jayden James Federline. On Friday (Jan. 3), the 43-year-old pop star shared a short video on Instagram featuring her 18-year-old son — whom she reunited with on Dec. 25 — opening a gift by a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. “Nice, nice, […]