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Man Who Grabbed Ariana Grande at ‘Wicked: For Good’ Premiere Charged in Court

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The 26-year-old Australian man who charged at Ariana Grande on the red carpet of Wicked‘s Asia premiere is reportedly facing jail time after authorities arrested him in Singapore.

According to the BBC and CBS News, the man, identified as Johnson Wen, has been charged with being a “public nuisance,” for which he may be forced to pay a fine that’s equivalent to more than $1,500. The latter site also reports that he may be sentenced to three months in jail for his actions.

Billboard has reached out to Grande’s reps for comment.

The development comes shortly after the Nov. 13 premiere of Wicked: For Good at Universal Studios Singapore. The pop star and Cynthia Erivo, her Wicked costar and fellow Oscar nominee, were walking the red carpet when Wen — who later boasted about the incident and his subsequent arrest on Instagram — jumped over a divider and sprinted straight toward Grande. The singer looked terrified as he wrapped an arm around her neck and started jumping up and down. Erivo promptly sprang into action, forcefully prying Wen off of her costar.

Even as he was being torn away from Grande by security personnel, footage from the event shows how Wen gripped onto the Grammy winner’s shoulder until the last possible second. Erivo and Michelle Yeoh, who also stars in the Wicked movies, then appeared to comfort a shaken-looking Grande.

Naturally, the moment sparked outrage among fans, who quickly discovered that Wen has a history of pulling such “pranks” on famous people. He’s previously rushed unauthorized onto stages where The Weeknd and the Chainsmokers were performing, and over the summer, he was arrested for doing the same to Katy Perry and touching her without consent.

In a TikTok, Wicked star Marissa Bode called him out directly. “You made somebody feel incredibly unsafe, but just — no remorse,” she said. “You’re a bad person.”

At press time, Grande has not spoken about the incident at the premiere. She did, however, share photos to Instagram of herself and her castmates at the event and wrote simply, “thank you, Singapore we love you.”


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MAGA Super Saiyan Megyn Kelly Scorned For Defense Of Epstein Abuse

Ice Spice Heads to Bikini Bottom & Drops ‘Big Guy’ for Upcoming ‘SpongeBob Movie’

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Ice Spice is gearing up for a trip to Bikini Bottom. Before making her voice-acting debut in the upcoming The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants movie, the MC dropped an original song for the soundtrack titled “Big Buy” on Thursday (Nov. 13).

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The Bronx native reunites with her frequent collaborator RIOTUSA on the production side, and while her flow is typical of what we expect from Ice, she definitely toned down her sometimes-explicit bars to make her verses more family- and kid-friendly.

“I bend over, I do my lil’ stretch/ Ain’t a jellyfish, but I’m the catch/ Feel like that fish, so I’m pumpin’ my chest/ I blow bubbles so big like Mrs. Puff,” she raps in reference to SpongeBob character underwater boating school instructor Mrs. Penelope Puff.

Ice Spice revealed she was a fan of Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants series growing up, so starring in the movie and contributing to the soundtrack marks a special moment for the 25-year-old. “Being part of the SpongeBob soundtrack is such a full-circle moment for me,” she said in a statement. “It’s crazy to see my music in a movie that’s been part of so many people’s childhoods, including mine.”

Ice Spice will star alongside Regina Hall, Sherry Cola, Arturo Castro and George Lopez in The SpongeBob Movie sequel, which hits theaters on Dec. 19.

The “Deli” rapper is starting to fill up her IMDB page, as she made her acting debut in Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest film in August. On the music side, Ice Spice is coming off the release of her “Baddie Baddie” single in September.

Listen to “Big Guy” below.


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Not Too Smart Boys: ICE Nearly Deported A Native American

ICE agents carry out operation in Chicago's Little Village area
Source: Anadolu / Getty

At this point, it’s no secret that ICE’s main objective is to purge the United States of brown-skinned men, women and children. Regardless of citizen status, many green card-holding migrants have gotten swept up in Donald Trump and Stephen Miller’s ethnic alleged cleansing of America.

Now with the Supreme Court giving ICE agents the green light to racially profile citizens in said operation, even Native Americans are seemingly fair game to be deported. ICE nearly deported a member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona for looking like a Latina.

According to Newsweek, 24-year-old Leticia Jacobo became the latest Native American to find themselves under the scrutiny of ICE agents for appearing to be a Latina, but in this particular case, she was detained and almost deported after being arrested in Polk County Jail in Des Moines, Iowa, where she currently lives. It wasn’t until her mother provided her birth certificate proving that she was born in Arizona that Jacobo was ultimately released by “authorities.”

Newsweek reports:

Polk County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mark Chance told the Arizona Mirror that the ICE detainer was issued in error, explaining that it had been intended for a different person booked at the jail at the same time but was incorrectly assigned to Jacobo’s records, the Arizona Mirror reported.

Polk County Jail participates in the 287(g) program with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which allows certain local police officers and sheriff’s deputies to carry out specific immigration enforcement tasks in coordination with ICE. Deputies trained under the program can verify citizenship status, compare biographic information against federal databases, and prepare immigration-related paperwork. They can also issue ICE detainers, which permit a person in custody to be held for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release so ICE can take custody. The program is intended to support federal immigration enforcement by providing additional local resources.

Jacobo’s aunt told the Arizona Mirror that her niece had been subjected to discrimination, at least to some degree, noting that Jacobo had previously been booked at the same facility and that her tribal membership was clearly documented.

And MAGA supporters still insist that the ICE raids aren’t about race.

“I do want to say that it’s racial profiling because she’s been there before, they have a rap sheet on her—why would they make a mistake with someone that’s constantly coming in?” Maria Nunez, Burns’ sister, told the outlet.

Naturally, Jacobo’s family is weighing legal action, but with the way that this current Trump administration defends the illegal actions that ICE takes to carry out what many feel is a fascist agenda, justice for the hundreds of American citizens and migrants who have a bone to pick with ICE may take a long while.

Brazil Warns Kanye West: Don’t Bring Nazi Symbolism To São Paulo

Cris Abrego Re-Elected TV Academy Chair; ’24’ Composer Sean Callery Elected Governor: Full List

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The Television Academy announced on Friday (Nov. 14) that Cris Abrego has been re-elected to a second two-year term as chair, beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Abrego’s first term marked a period of institutional progress and strategic gains for the organization. Under his leadership, the Academy achieved record membership and retention. It now represents more than 27,000 television professionals across 31 peer groups.

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“I’m honored to continue in this role,” Abrego said in a statement. “The past two years have underscored the vital role that the Academy serves in supporting our members, strengthening the television community and advancing the initiatives that support the long-term health of our industry. I look forward to working alongside our newly elected officers and governors as we build on this momentum and continue guiding the Academy and the Emmy Awards through a dynamic period of transformation for our industry.”

A veteran studio executive and producer, Abrego is co-founder and chief executive officer of Hyphenate Media Group, a premium content studio and holdings company.

Abrego was re-elected by the academy’s board of governors. Other incoming officers, also elected by the board of governors, who will serve a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2026, are Jacob Fenton, vice chair; Jo DiSante, 2nd vice chair; Megan Chao, secretary; and Tony Carey, treasurer.

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Veteran composer Sean Callery, who won three Primetime Emmys for the Fox series 24 and a fourth for the Netflix program Marvel’s Jessica Jones, has been elected to a two-year term as a governor of the Television Academy, representing the music branch. His term ends Dec. 31, 2027.

He joins fellow composer Siddhartha Khosla, who won a Primetime Emmy in 2024 for Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building. Khosla is currently in the middle of his two-year term, which ends Dec. 31, 2026.

Here’s a full list of the newly-elected governors and those governors who are currently midterm.

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Reba McEntire to Host Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting With Performances From Laufey, Gwen Stefani, Marc Anthony, Brad Paisley & More

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Laufey, Gwen Stefani and more stars are ready to rock around the Rockefeller Christmas tree, with NBC announcing the lineup for its annual tree-lighting celebration — hosted this year by Reba McEntire — on Friday (Nov. 14).

As Billboard can exclusively share, the network is set to air its 2025 Christmas in Rockefeller Center special at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 3, with viewers getting the choice of tuning live on NBC or watching a simulcast on Peacock. With the country icon and Voice judge making her debut as host of the yearly program, Marc Anthony, Halle Bailey, Michael Bublé, Kristin Chenoweth, New Edition, Brad Paisley and Carly Pearce will also perform.

Plus, the Radio City Rockettes — who are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year — will once again be present to dazzle viewers with a festive showcase and, most likely, a kick line or two. “The lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center is one of the great traditions that New York has to offer, and we couldn’t be more proud to once again share that excitement with audiences all over the country,” said Jen Neal, executive vp of live events and specials at NBCUniversal Entertainment, in a statement.

She added, “We’re so looking forward to seeing Reba bring her infectious energy to the telecast and create an unforgettable holiday moment.”

The 2025 iteration of the holiday extravaganza will build on more than 90 years of tradition. The first Rockefeller tree lighting took place in 1933, giving New Yorkers a meaningful bit of Christmas cheer amid the Great Depression; in 1936, the famous ice-skating rink at Rockefeller Center opened, giving the ceremony its now-iconic backdrop.

This year, the tree — a Norway Spruce imported from East Greenbush, N.Y. — will measure at 75 feet tall and 45 feet wide, weighing approximately 11 tons. Topped with a three-dimensional Swarovski star, it’ll take more than 50,000 colorful LED lights to illuminate.

In 2024, the special was hosted by Kelly Clarkson and featured performances from the Backstreet Boys, Dan + Shay, Jennifer Hudson, Coco Jones, Little Big Town, RAYE and more.


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Laura Pausini & Yami Safdie Reimagine ‘Eso Y Más’ & More Best New Music Latin

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New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.

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Laura Pausini & Yami Safdie, “Eso y Más” (Warner Music Italy)

Italian superstar Laura Pausini reimagines Joan Sebastian’s ballad “Eso y Más,” and recruits rising Argentine artist Yami Safdie for her version. Pausini and Safdie inject pathos in their delivery to match Sebastian’s emotionally-charged rendition of this classic, which was featured on his album Más Allá del Sol and peaked at No. 6 on Hot Latin Songs in 2007. Pausini and Safdie’s vocals soar as they sing this Mexican music anthem that captures unconditional love and a deep sense of devotion for a significant other. Pausini expressed admiration for Sebastian at this year’s Billboard Latin Music Week, and said this version of “Eso y Más” will be part of her upcoming album, Yo Canto 2. — GRISELDA FLORES

DannyLux, Leyenda Deluxe (VPS Music / Warner Music Latina)

While DannyLux stays true to his signature sadboy-loverboy sierreño style, Leyenda Deluxe dares to venture into exciting new terrain. The four new tracks build on the fantastical energy of Leyenda (released in May) that blends poetic lyricism with inventive arrangements. “Yo Mismo Soy Culpable” pairs steely acoustic guitars with a flicker of an electric one. “preguntalealaluna” brims with melancholic allure, unfolding as a vulnerable conversation with the moon, while the breezy “¿Qué Sucedió?” reflects the artist’s realization that love isn’t always enough to make someone stay. But it’s the magnetic focus track “Quizás” that steals the spotlight, channeling ’90s alt-pop elements as the SoCal artist trades heartbreak for flirtation. By stitching these new sonic textures into the richly emotional sierreño soundscape, the star further solidifies his place as a boundary-pushing storyteller. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho & Juanes, “Una Noche Contigo” (Fono)

This is a collaboration that we never imagined could happen, and that makes it even more powerful. The soft sounds of the trumpets from the opening bars anticipate a love song in the style of one of the greatest bands in the Sinaloa genre. The voice of Julio Haro from La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho blends perfectly with that of Juanes, who, without abandoning his style, adds the intensity that characterizes a regional Mexican performance. While an unorthodox collaboration, the purpose is clear: to convey a romantic story, albeit from a different perspective. Music has no borders, and this is an example of that. You can have the best of both worlds without forcing anything. — TERE AGUILERA

HUMBE, “Morfina” (PARASIEMPRE.wav Records)

If you discovered HUMBE thanks to “Fantasmas,” a beautiful mariachi song that went viral on social media, you will truly appreciate the Mexican star’s new track, titled “Morfina.” While the former embraces a more roots style that gives it that ranchera sensibility, this new one thrives on a more subtle nu-pop sound but equally effective in lyricism inspired by spirituality, healing and eternity. “Morfina,” that ends with a gorgeous classical arrangement, previews HUMBE’S upcoming new project, due in weeks. — G.F.

Check out more Latin recommendations this week below:


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Warner Music Elevates Leho Nigul to CTO as Ariel Bardin Steps Down

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Warner Music Group announced on Friday that it has promoted Leho Nigul to chief technology officer, effective Dec. 1, as part of a series of executive changes this week.

Nigul, previously senior vice president of engineering, will oversee WMG’s technology strategy, team, and product roadmap, reporting directly to CEO Robert Kyncl. He succeeds Ariel Bardin, who will step aside as president of technology after three years but remain through 2025 to ensure a smooth transition.

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Nigul joined WMG in 2023 and has led engineering teams across key initiatives, including global licensing, royalty management, fan engagement, and AI projects. His background includes senior roles at Instacart and more than 17 years at IBM, where he specialized in eCommerce and SaaS development.

“Leho’s deep knowledge and wide-ranging experience as a leader, engineer, and innovator make him ideally suited to take our team into the future and leverage AI for the benefit of our artists, songwriters and employees,” said WMG CEO Robert Kyncl.

Bardin’s tenure saw significant upgrades to WMG’s tech infrastructure, including new tools for artists and songwriters, streamlined global supply chains, and enhanced data systems. Kyncl praised Bardin for helping to “transform our company systems”and for “setting the foundation to rapidly scale WMG going forward.”

Nigul added that WMG’s approach to innovation creates “powerful, new opportunities for our artists, songwriters and teams.”

The leadership shift on the tech side comes amid a busy week for WMG, which also announced several high-profile appointments: Gregg Nadel was named president of A&R at Warner Records Group; Cris Lacy became chair and president of the rebranded Warner Records Nashville, continuing her role as one of the highest-ranking women in Nashville’s label ecosystem; and Atlantic Music Group tapped A&R veteran Jeremy Vuernick as executive vice president.


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Matt Gaetz Denies Account Of Homeless Teen Who Said They Had Sex

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Matt Gaetz saw his bid to become Attorney General fizzle after the House Ethics Committee heard testimony from a woman who alleged that they had sex when she was a homeless teen. Matt Gaetz, a former Florida Republican Party congressman, had denied any dealings with the woman.

The New York Times detailed the life and struggles of the 17-year-old woman, who worked in a fast food restaurant and lived in a shelter with a parent. The woman said that she turned to prostitution and was made to have sex with powerful men to save up for braces. The woman said she pretended to be 18 and posted images of herself on a website for men looking to find “companionship.”

The Justice Department investigated Gaetz on child sex trafficking allegations, but nothing ever materialized. President Donald Trump went all in with choosing Gaetz to be his Attorney General. However, the rumors and chatter around the allegations of sex with minors grew to be too much, prompting Gaetz to resign from Congress and withdraw his name from the consideration floated by Trump.

Last year, the House Ethics Committee report found significant connections that Gaetz allegedly paid women to have sex with him, having sex with a minor, illegal drug use, and for accepting gifts outside the confines of legal boundaries.

Gaetz responded to the Times‘ report regarding the woman, stating that her account is all made up.

“I never had sex with this person. This person threatened me with a lawsuit if I didn’t pay her $2.3 million dollars. She never sued me because her story is fiction,” Gaetz said to the Times.

The developments come as the House Ethics Committee just unleashed several thousand documents connected to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, whose connection to the underground sex rings has dogged the Trump administration for the past year.

Photo: Getty