Blog
Page: 10
Benson Boone’s Australian tour reached a memorable peak on Jan. 20 when the 22-year-old pop sensation embraced one of the country’s most infamous traditions: the shoey.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
During his sold-out performance at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, Boone paused the show to drink water out of a cowboy boot, sending the crowd into a frenzy. For the unfamiliar, the shoey—a ritual involving drinking from a shoe—has become a hallmark of Australian concerts.
While typically involving beer and a fan’s shoe, Boone opted for a sanitized twist, using bottled water and a clean cowboy boot. In widely shared TikTok footage, Boone was seen pouring bottled water into a cowboy boot, pausing to ask the owner, “How much water do I put in it? Do you want me to put water in your shoe?”
Trending on Billboard
With the crowd cheering him on, he quipped, “Okay—when in Australia,” before raising the boot to his lips. After downing the water, Boone returned the boot, adding, “Not bad, not bad. You have very good hygiene, miss, thank you.”
Boone’s shoey also places him among a growing list of international stars who have embraced the peculiar tradition. Harry Styles kicked off his 2023 Australian tour by sipping from a sneaker, calling it “one of the most disgusting traditions” he’d encountered. Post Malone and Stormzy have also participated, much to the delight of their fans, while Kylie Minogue famously performed a shoey out of a high heel at the Brit Awards.
The moment came as part of Boone’s Fireworks and Rollerblades World Tour, which includes performances in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Auckland throughout January. The tour comes amid a remarkable year for Boone, whose single “Beautiful Things” dominated Billboard’s charts in 2024, spending seven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 and eight weeks atop the Global Excl. U.S. chart.
The single earned Boone the Top Billboard Global 200 Song and Top Billboard Global Excl. U.S. Song accolades at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards.
“What’s up? Billboard, it’s Benson Boone. Thank you so much for this award. The most streamed song of 2024 is pretty ridiculous. This is the award right here. I cannot believe you guys,” Boone said in a virtual acceptance speech for his awards last month. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I’m sorry I could not be there in person. You caught me right in the middle of tour, but I love you guys more than you know, and I hope that you love the music that continues to come this year. So thank you so much. Enjoy the rest of the show. Peace.”
Kid Rock has once again shared his fondness for the newly-inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump during an interview with ABC News on Monday (Jan. 20).
Speaking to correspondent Kyra Phillips following Trump’s inauguration, Rock (whose real name is Robert James Ritchie) appeared with sunglasses on as he drank a beer, smoked his “victory cigar”, and explained why it was that Trump resonated with him so strongly.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“He’s one of the greatest men to ever walk the Earth,” Rock explained. “I call it like I see it. I think a lot of people are finding out what I’ve known for a long time, a lot of us have, that he’s one of the smartest guys in the room, he’s one of the funnest guys in the room – and he gets things done.”
Trending on Billboard
Referring to the “fiasco” of the “rigged election” that ended Trump’s first term, Rock said he’s “never been more excited” for the nascent administration. “Just to see somebody come from a business standpoint to get things done, to run this country how it needs to be run,” he explained. “Keep us safe, yes, but the business of America has been ran like complete crap the last four years. I love him for a million reasons.”
As Phillips continued her interview with Rock, she asked the musician about which of his songs described Trump best. “It’s ‘American Badass,’ 1,000%,” Rock explained. “When he walks in the room, he screams ‘American Badass’ just by the way he walks.”
Rock was one of the many musicians who performed at Trump’s inauguration weekend celebrations, which also included the likes of Jason Aldean, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Greenwood, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts and the Village People. Rock’s brief performance took place on Sunday (Jan. 19), and despite including parts of songs such as “We the People” and “American Rock ‘n’ Roll”, did not feature “American Badass” on the setlist.
Phillips continued in this vein by questioning Rock’s inclusion in such an event, asking why Trump has expressed a fondness for the musician in recent years.
“I’m a person that likes to win. I don’t sugarcoat things. I call it like I see it,” Rock explained. “Sometimes I might not get it absolutely correct. I’m a man with forgiveness in my heart. I’m a Christian. I can’t stress [enough] that I like to win. I love this country. And I know he wants to win for this country. How are you gonna argue with that? ‘Make America Great Again’? People were walking around with MAGA stuff the last eight years, and people are like, ‘Oh, you’re a racist Nazi.” Like, calm down a little bit.”
“They went after me. They only made me stronger,” he continued. “I’m sure they’re only gonna continue to go after me. That’s fine. Have at it. It’s never bothered me.”
Rock concluded his interview by repeating his joke that Trump had appointed him “Head of the Liquor Cabinet” as part of the new administration.
John Sykes, the guitarist who performed with Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake in the 1980s — and who co-wrote several tracks on Whitesnake’s highest-charting album, including the hit “Is This Love” — has died.
Sykes passed away following a battle with cancer, a statement posted on his verified Facebook page said on Monday (Jan. 20).
“It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer,” the message said. “He will be remembered by many as a man with exceptional musical talent but for those who didn’t know him personally, he was a thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room. He certainly marched to the beat of his own drum and always pulled for the underdog.”
Trending on Billboard
“In his final days, he spoke of his sincere love and gratitude for his fans who stuck by him through all these years. While the impact of his loss is profound and the mood somber, we hope the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence,” the note read.
“Just heard the shocking news of John’s passing…My sincere condolences to his family, friends & fans,” Whitesnake’s David Coverdale wrote Monday on X, where he posted photos in tribute to his former bandmate.
Born in Reading, England, in 1959, Sykes took up guitar when he was a teenager. He joined the band Streetfighter, and then Tygers of Pan Tang, but left the band in 1982 before recording his first solo single.
Sykes co-wrote and recorded his 1982 single “Please Don’t Leave Me” with Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott. He later joined Thin Lizzy as guitarist and played on the Irish rockers’ final studio album, 1983’s Thunder and Lightning, for which he co-wrote the track “Cold Sweat.” “It was a little heavier and I think that was something that I’d brought to the table,” he recalled of the sound of the album in a 2008 interview.
“I was young and what I lived for was being involved in rock ‘n’ roll,” said Sykes, who’d been a fan of Thin Lizzy before joining. “That was a wonderful time in my life, and I was only about 22 years old at the time.”
He added that Thin Lizzy’s 1983 split, following a tour billed as a farewell run, was “definitely a kick to the guts. I didn’t really think it was going to end and I don’t think Phil really thought it was going to end either.”
Sykes linked with Whitesnake to record new guitar parts for the U.S. version of the group’s 1984 album Slide It In, and for their next studio album, their self-titled set that was released in 1987.
It turned out to be Whitesnake’s biggest chart success. Whitesnake the album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 that year, ultimately spending a total of 76 weeks on the chart.
The single “Is This Love,” co-written by Whitesnake’s Coverdale and Sykes, reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart in 1987. It was the second biggest chart hit off of Whitesnake’s self-titled album, just behind “Here I Go Again” (co-written by Coverdale and Bernie Marsden), which made it to No. 1 on the Hot 100. Both singles were preceded by “Still of the Night” (another Coverdale/Sykes work), a song that only ranked at No. 79 on the Hot 100 but reached the MTV audience with its Marty Callner-directed music video — but Sykes isn’t in the video.
Though Sykes was a co-writer on the majority of the album’s tracks, it would be the last Whitesnake project he contributed to before Coverdale unexpectedly fired him, and his bandmates, ahead of the record’s release.
“As you know, things went squirrely between us, which was unfortunate,” Coverdale said in an interview with Metal Edge in 2023. “But John was and is an incredible talent. Our musical chemistry was great, but it didn’t work personally.”
Sykes shared his version of what happened in a 2017 interview with Rock Candy, saying in part, “David said nothing to any of us about having decided to kick us out of the band,” and that he had found out about it from John Kalodner, then A&R at Geffen Records.
But Sykes continued on his path in music. Following his time with Whitesnake, he formed the band Blue Murder, releasing two studio albums and one live album in the early ’90s. His career later shifted to a focus on solo work, with five albums to come over the timespan of 1995-2004.
2004’s Bad Boy Live! was his last full-length album released before his death.
In 2021, Sykes released two singles, “Dawning of a Brand New Day” and “Out Alive.”
Weezer‘s cover of Toto‘s perennial favorite “Africa” undoubtedly became one of the band’s biggest successes, but Toto guitarist Steve Lukather isn’t sure the reasons behind the cover were genuine.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The cover first arrived in May 2018 following a months-long campaign in which a then-14-year-old social media user urged Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo to cover the song. As a result, Weezer released their own rendition of Toto’s “Rosanna” as a way to troll the campaign, ultimately unveiling their version of “Africa” just days later.
Reaction to the cover was overwhelmingly-positive, with the cover becoming their first to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 since 2009, and their first to top the Alternative Songs chart since “Pork and Beans” in 2008.
Trending on Billboard
The viral quality of the song continued in the following months, too. Not only was the track accompanied by a “Weird Al” Yankovic-featuring music video, but it was included on their self-titled covers album (also known as the Teal Album), and inspired Toto to respond in kind with a cover of Weezer’s 2001 single “Hash Pipe”.
However, while much of the attention seemed to tie in with the track’s good-natured origins and desire to lean into an online joke, Lukather recently took part in an interview with Matt Pinfield’s New & Approved program, telling the host he’s not sure if the cover’s origins were as affectionate as they seemed.
“I don’t know about him loving the song, man,” Lukather said of Pinfield’s claim that Cuomo was fond of “Africa”. “I don’t think that’s the case at all. I think he did it to take the piss out of it and it blew up in his face and now he’s got to play it every night.
“I tried to reach out to this guy and be friendly and then it just got weird,” Lukather added. “I don’t want to get into it, but peace and love. It was good for them, it was good for us.”
Lukather’s comments echo earlier statements he made in a 2020 interview with Rolling Stone, where he explained he was left with “hurt feelings” following his attempts to speak to Cuomo.
“I tried to reach out to Rivers,” he explained. “I said, ‘Hey, man, isn’t this funny? Whether you like us or not, it’s working out good for both of us.’ Silence! The cat refused to talk to me! I’m friends with the biggest rock & roll stars in the world, and this is the only cat that refuses to talk to me! I’m sorry, Rivers. You made a lot of fuckin’ money off this. You should be a little bit more thankful. But I got nothing bad to say about them. Some of them were cool, but Rivers really hurt my feelings.”
Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro – who departed the band in 2019 – echoed Lukather’s opinions, telling the publication that when he performed “Africa” with Weezer on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he was backstage when Weezer’s manager informed them it was gaining traction on the airwaves.
“I saw Rivers wince,” Porcaro explained. “They initially did it as a goof, but now they realized they’d have to play the song for a lot longer than they thought they would. This whole business runs on hit records. If you get one, you better be prepared to play it for the rest of your life.”
Indeed, Weezer’s cover of “Africa” became a staple of their live sets from 2018 onwards, though fell out of favor following the launch of their Voyage to the Blue Planet tour in 2024 which saw them performing their 1994 debut album in full for its 30th anniversary.
Ethel Cain has defended her choice of words in the wake of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
On Jan. 10, the 26-year-old musician shared a quote on her Instagram Story from former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, discussing how powerful groups such as the NRA, Big Oil and insurance companies influence Congress. Cain added the hashtag “#KillMoreCEOs” to the post, later clarifying she wasn’t aiming to be reactionary or “edgy.”
“I genuinely mean what I say. Corporations giggle at protesting,” Cain wrote. “Why would anyone ever willingly come down off their throne that they’ve spent years building off the suffering of their fellow man? Nobody is getting visited by the ghost of Christmas future, no one is having a change of heart. It’s simple, you make them fear for their lives and hit them in the only place they hurt or nothing will ever get done.”
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“I don’t even see how that’s an incredibly radical idea,” she concluded. “It seems quite straightforward to me. ‘Violence is never the answer’ wrong. Sometimes it is.”
Trending on Billboard
The backlash to the post was swift, with Fox News panelists Jason Chaffetz, Jackie DeAngelis, Anita Vogel and Guy Benson discussing the comments on an episode of the network’s The Big Weekend Show.
“The message there is violence is the answer,” Benson said in response to Cain’s post. “You know who used that exact same mentality, that type of language? Terrorists. That is actual terrorism, what she’s talking about here … This should be a very clear black-and-white moral issue, and it is scary to see how much support that type of sentiment has gotten.”
“People need to boycott her,” added DeAngelis, with Chaffetz saying, “I hope people call her out for this.”
Now, Cain has weighed in on the topic once again, taking to Tumblr to share a new post which defends her position, and questions why climate change and “corrupt” healthcare systems have become political issues.
“I find it funny that conservatives try to paint me calling for the death and destruction of multi-billionaire CEOs as some radical ‘woke liberal’ standpoint,” Cain began. “As if that even has anything to do with politics, especially in this era of surface level circus politics. The same way they try to politicize the hurricanes or the wildfires destroying parts of America, as if climate change is somehow a red vs. blue issue.”
“It’s no secret I’m from a deeply conservative family in the sticks of Florida and I still grew up hearing ‘I fought the law and the law won’. The healthcare system has fucked each and every member of my family in a different way at one point or another, as is the case with pretty much every family in this scorched earth nation.”
As Cain continued, she switched her attention to the “staunchly anti-government” origins of country music. In 2024, Billboard looked back at the changing politics of country music, noting how Richard Nixon’s 1972 re-election campaign began to appeal to the historically Democratic-voting working and middle class Southern whites, ultimately instigating a gradual shift to the right for country music which – as Cain points out – has only continued.
“Remember when country music, the genre currently associated the heaviest with the most conservative faction of America, used to be staunchly anti-government and about sticking it to the man?” she asked. “Remember when the coal miners, grandfathers to the ‘Trump-er hillbillies’ of Appalachia that everyone loves to write off as ignorant, fought tooth and nail for unionization because the companies that were built off their labor didn’t give a shit if they lived or died? Since when has ‘upholding traditional values’ gone hand in hand with… defending lawmakers and oil tycoons.
“My family and I complain about the same issues at the dinner table. The men in charge better hope they can keep their digital smokescreens running as long as they can because the moment the rednecks and the hippies lay down their swords long enough to realize they have the same enemy, all hell is gonna break loose.”
Cain’s controversial comments came just two days after the release of her latest recording project, Perverts, which arrived as the follow-up to her acclaimed 2022 debut album, Preacher’s Daughter.
Chart-topping Japanese pop group BE:FIRST is finally expanding onto the global stage with their first-ever world tour.
Following the boy band’s eight No. 1 hits on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart, Billboard can exclusively reveal that BE:FIRST is embarking on a world tour this year titled -Who Is BE:FIRST?-. Launching on April 22 in Los Angeles, the trek will span 15 cities across North America, Europe and Asia to mark a major move in the J-pop stars’ international ascent.
Managed by Tokyo-based agency BMSG, the septet consisting of Sota, Shunto, Manato, Ryuhei, Junon, Ryoki and Leo debuted in 2021 after winning fans through the reality singing competition The First. BE:FIRST’s first-ever single, “Gifted.,” topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100, leading the band to millions of views on YouTube, and collaborations with fellow chart-toppers like English DJ and producer Jonas Blue and two singles with K-pop boy band ATEEZ. Through their three years together, and with a mix of feel-good pop, intense EDM, futuristic hip-hop and classic R&B, the seven-member group has carved a multifaceted musical identity that’s garnered millions of social-media followers and fans — or BESTY, as their fans are affectionately known.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“We are excited to announce that BE:FIRST will be embarking on a world tour,” the guys tell Billboard exclusively. “As BE:FIRST, we’ve had very few opportunities to perform outside Japan so we’ve been eagerly looking forward to holding our first-ever world tour! We’re truly excited to see how international BESTY will react to our music and performances. In addition to sharing our music, we’re especially looking forward to the stage talk during our shows — talking about the local culture, sharing memories in the cities we visit and creating unforgettable moments together!”
Trending on Billboard
“BE:FIRST was founded with the goal of delivering world-class dance and vocals — a vision they have pursued since their audition process,” says legendary rapper-producer SKY-HI, the CEO of BMSG who also acts as BE:FIRST’s main producer.
“With the support we’ve received through their activities in Japan and the success achieved so far, BE:FIRST is now ready to embark on their first-ever world tour. As the producer of BE:FIRST, I am confident that their music, performance quality, and attitude align with global entertainment standards, and I deeply appreciate the high praise they have received so far. At the same time, we remain aware that we are still a young and emerging presence in the industry. Having sparked a sensation in Japan in 2021 and 2022, BE:FIRST is determined to recreate that excitement on the global stage, embarking on this journey as fresh newcomers. We deeply appreciate your continued support. At BMSG, we proudly represent Tokyo, Japan, and we see this as an opportunity to make the world a more exciting place. By showcasing the power of creativity, we will continue to uphold our ‘creative first’ philosophy. We hope you look forward to what’s to come.”
In addition to live concerts in new countries and continents, BE:FIRST has also lined up representation outside of Japan with Steel Wool Entertainment, the management and media agency whose clients have included Anderson .Paak, Hayley Kiyoko, Amber Liu and more.
“I flew into Osaka to see BE:FIRST and was blown away by their stage presence and knew that we had to work with them,” says Steelwool CEO and founder Kevin Morrow. “I can’t wait for the world to see what I saw on their upcoming tour.”
In the meantime, the BE:FIRST members want their fans to stay healthy and send BESTY-approved recommendations for their cities.
“Please take care of your health, and let’s enjoy the show to the fullest!” BE:FIRST adds. “And if you have recommendations for delicious local food or great places to visit in your area, let us know — we’d love to explore during our stay! We’re all so thrilled to meet you soon!”
Fans can look forward to different VIP packages available for the tour, as well as BE:FIRST’s upcoming single “Spacecraft,” set for release in February. The track follows the group’s recent Top 5 Billboard Japan Hot 100 hit “Sailing,” a collaboration with the popular animated manga series One Piece.
Read on for the full tour dates and on-sale ticket information across regions, as well as more tour information on BE:FIRST’s official site here.
-Who is BE:FIRST?- 2025 World Tour dates:
4/22/25 – Los Angeles, CA, USA – The NOVO4/23/25 – San Francisco, CA, USA – The Regency Ballroom5/15/25 – Taipei – Zepp New Taipei5/24/25 – Bangkok – Samyan Mitrtown Hall6/1/25 – London, United Kingdom – O2 Forum Kentish Town6/3/25 – Paris, France – Bataclan Theatre6/4/25 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg6/6/25 – Frankfurt, Germany – Batschkapp6/9/25 – New York, NY, USA – Webster Hall6/10/25 – Philadelphia, PA, USA – Keswick Theatre6/14/25 – Chicago, IL, USA – Copernicus Center6/17/25 – Honolulu, HI, USA – Hawaii Theatre6/28/25 – Hong Kong – TBD7/5/25 – Singapore – Capitol Theatre
Ticket On Sale Information:
North America:Artist Fan Club Presale: Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 1:00 a.m. PST – Thursday, Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. PSTGeneral Onsale: Friday, Jan. 24 at 10 AM local
Europe:Artist Fan Club Presale: Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 1 a.m. PST to Thursday, Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. PSTMastercard / LiveNation Presale: Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. local to Friday, Jan. 24 at10 a.m. localGeneral Onsale: Friday, Jan. 24th at 10 a.m. local
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: ANGELA WEISS / Getty
Elon Musk was the subject of much scorn throughout the day at Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, January 20. But the world’s richest man saved the best for later when he “allegedly” threw up a Nazi salute from the stage.
um pic.twitter.com/ISwJiM4EsH
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 20, 2025
There was Phony Stark, cackling from the stage at Capital One Arena when he clapped his hands to his chest then extended his arm out with his palm down. It damn sure looked like a “Seig Heil” aka Nazi salute, and just about everyone with sense, and scholars, agree.
I studied the Nazis at university, taught the history of Nazi Germany on two continents and wrote for major newspapers about Nazi Germany. I am internet famous for fact-checking chuds on the history, ideology and policy of Nazi Germany.
That was a Nazi salute.
— Mike Stuchbery 💀🍷 (@MikeStuchbery_) January 20, 2025
Musk also did his Heil Hitler-like salute twice, so you know that it’s real. Keep in mind that Musk has gone on the record to support Germany’s current far right party and has said racist comments repeatedly and often, so there’s that.
We’ve compiled some of the best social media reactions in the gallery. We suggest you take note of anyone copping pleas for Musk, and ask yourself why said people are in your life.
But hey, per Rolling Stone, the right-wing extremists are ecstatic.
This story is developing.
2. Yeah, that’s it.
11. Family ties?
12. Gaslighting 101.
13. The truth shall set you free.
The lineup for the 2025 MusiCares Person of the Year benefit gala held in tribute to the Grateful Dead in Los Angeles has been revealed.
On Monday (Jan. 20), The Hollywood Reporter announced the artists attached to the Grammy Week event scheduled for Jan. 31 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Dead & Company (which includes Grateful Dead co-founders Bob Weir and Mickey Hart), John Mayer, Mick Fleetwood with Stewart Copeland, Norah Jones, Maren Morris, Noah Kahan, Vampire Weekend, Sierra Farrell and Lukas Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, Billy Strings, My Morning Jacket, Sammy Hagar, the War and Treaty and the War on Drugs are set for the event, as well as previous Grateful Dead collaborator Bruce Hornsby. Andy Cohen will be the MC.
Original Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir will be recognized for their contributions to music, their philanthropic efforts and the group’s pioneering role in fostering communities through their concerts and activism. Two of the band’s founding members, the late Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh, who passed away in October, will be honored posthumously.
Trending on Billboard
The Grateful Dead is the third band to receive the honor, following Fleetwood Mac (2018) and Aerosmith (2020). The esteemed list of MusiCares Person of the Year honorees also includes Jon Bon Jovi, Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton, Tom Petty, Lionel Richie, Bob Dylan, Carole King, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand, Neil Young, Neil Diamond, Aretha Franklin, Don Henley, James Taylor, Brian Wilson, Sting, Bono, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Luciano Pavarotti, Phil Collins, Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, Gloria Estefan, Natalie Cole, Bonnie Raitt and David Crosby.
It was confirmed that the 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year event will go on as planned last week, amid the wildfires that have devastated the Los Angeles area. The announcement came a day after the Recording Academy said the Grammys are still on for Feb. 2.
“Your attendance at Persons of the Year and your ongoing generosity will support these continued vital efforts, helping those in urgent need and signaling to the world that this vibrant city is on its feet,” MusiCares said in a statement. “At our upcoming Persons of the Year, we will make a special appeal for donations to support our wildfire relief efforts. We invite you to join us in spreading the word to your friends and family by sharing this link: www.musicares.org/FireRelief.”
Since 1991, the MusiCares Person of the Year gala has raised funds to support MusiCares’ health and human services programs, which offer physical and mental health care, addiction recovery, preventive clinics, unforeseen personal emergencies and disaster relief to music professionals.
The Black Eyed Peas have canceled their upcoming Las Vegas residency scheduled for 2025. On Sunday (Jan. 19), the group announced via their Instagram Story that their planned shows at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino’s PH Live would no longer take place due to “current circumstances.” “To our dearest Peabodies,” the Black Eyed Peas wrote. […]
Chappell Roan is opening up about how speaking out against “creepy behavior” has impacted her career.
In a new interview with the BBC, published Sunday (Jan. 19), the 26-year-old pop star discussed her decision to stand up for herself despite being labeled by some as a “spoiled diva” or accused of throwing “tantrums” about her privacy.
The “Good Luck, Babe!” singer has previously spoken about her experiences with “predatory behavior” from fans on social media. She explained that after years of hard work building her music career, she’s had to set clear boundaries to protect herself from uncomfortable and often invasive interactions.
“I’ve been responding that way to disrespect my whole life — but now there are cameras on me, and I also happen to be a pop star, and those things don’t match,” Roan told the BBC. “It’s like oil and water.”
Trending on Billboard
In October 2024, Roan went viral after confronting a photographer who had previously made her feel uncomfortable on the red carpet at the premiere of Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts World Tour film in Los Angeles. She had a similar experience with another photographer at the 2024 MTV VMAs.
The “Red Wine Supernova” artist admitted that her outspoken nature has had consequences for her career.
“I think, actually, I’d be more successful if I was okay wearing a muzzle,” she said. “If I were to override more of my basic instincts, where my heart is going, ‘Stop, stop, stop, you’re not okay’, I would be bigger.”
She added, “I would be way bigger … And I would still be on tour right now.”
Last fall, Roan decided not to extend her tour and instead focused on her physical and mental health. The artist credits her grandfather for giving her valuable advice that guides her decisions.
“There’s something he said that I think about in every move I make with my career. There are always options,” Roan shared with BBC. “So when someone says, ‘Do this concert because you’ll never get offered that much money ever again,’ it’s like, who cares? If I don’t feel like doing this right now, there are always options. There is not a scarcity of opportunity. I think about that all the time.”
Roan, who was named Billboard’s Top New Artist of 2024 and is nominated for six Grammys, rose to fame with her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in October 2024. The album spawned multiple charting singles, including “Pink Pony Club,” “Casual” and “Good Luck, Babe!”