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In Katy Perry‘s words, American Idol viewers almost got way more than they bargained for on Monday night (April 15) when her elaborate metallic top nearly fell off during the top 14 episode. “I need my top to stay on,” the singer said before shooting a worried look at the camera as a team of fashion technicians descended. “If it’s not fixed, this show is going to get more than it wanted,” she added after some helpful crew members stepped in to repair the wayward steely bra.
Luckily, fellow panelist and part-time Tennessee gentleman farmer Luke Bryan stepped up to help, brandishing a pair of scissors and warning, “I’m going in!” before quickly deciding better of it. The show then cut to a clip of Perry cradling the shiny sculptural swoop and telling top 14 hopeful Roman Collins that his take on “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown “broke my top off… I guess it is a woman’s world!”
Before long, Perry was hiding under the judge’s desk, with just her head peeking out as Lionel Richie and Bryan quipped, “ratings!” and an embarrassed Perry responded, “It’s a family show.” The final shot featured Perry holding a white pillow up to cover up the Kate Barton crop top that kind of looked like a heavy metal shark.
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Speaking of sharks, Perry later made a joke about the shape of her wayward costume, writing, “If you see a shark you’re left brained, if you see #idol tonight you’re my bestie.” And speaking to Access Hollywood, Perry explained, “I wouldn’t call it a malfunction, I just call it an interesting moment on live television. Seems like every season I’m either tearing the seam of my pants or I’m just super expressive physically. I love this outfit so much and I knew I was rolling the dice, but I was like, ‘who cares?’”
The episode also featured the top 20 being cut down to the top 14, which consists of Julia Gagnon, Roman Collins, Kayko, Nya, McKenna Faith Breinholt, Abi Carter, Will Moseley, Jordan Anthony, Mia Matthews, Kaibreinne, Emmy Russell, Jayna Elise, Jack Blocker and Tristan Harper.
Idol is back on Sunday (April 21) with a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame night, featuring guest mentor KISS bassist/singer Gene Simmons and the reveal of the 2024 RRHOF inductees and a live vote for the top 12. Monday night’s (April 22) show will feature guest mentor Meghan Trainor and the top 10 reveal on Billboard No. 1 hits night.
Watch Perry struggle with her top on Idol below.
Joel and Benji Madden. Lisa and Jessica Origliasso. Matt and Luke Goss. Tegan and Sara.
Twins, rock stars, standouts. Justin and Jeremy Garcia will be keen to join the crew.
The teenage San Francisco Bay Area brothers have cruised into the Knockouts round of this 25th season of The Voice, with a natural blend of harmonies and wholesomeness.
The 17-year-olds landed their Blind Audition with a cover of One Direction’s “Story of My Life,” catching the attention of coaches Chance the Rapper, Reba McEntire and newcomers Dan + Shay for a three-chair turn (only John Legend was unmoved).
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“From the first time I heard you guys harmonizing, and I found out that it was two people, I was like, ‘We have to turn around. This is amazing,’” remarked Shay Mooney.
Those words of support helped the Garcia Twins choose Dan + Shay as their coaches this season.
In the Battles, the Garcias went up again another Garcia, 19-year-old Frank Garcia, with a performance of “Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga.
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Frank delivered in a big way, and advanced. As the twins walked off the stage, defeated, McEntire used her Steal. “I wanted y’all so bad,” she enthused. “I love your harmonies, I love that you’re brothers, and it just sounds so good. I want to work with you so bad. Welcome to Team Reba.”
For these slippery Knockouts, the Filipino American pair performed Callum Scott’s “You Are the Reason,” going up against Team McEntire’s Zeya, who sang “River” by Bishop Briggs.
“Zeya, you did a great job,” coach McEntire remarked afterwards. “I would’ve loved to have seen you stay in one position in that song, but your voice is great. You know that.”
The brothers were involved in another plot twist, this time stepping out of their harmonies and splintering for individual runs. Coach McEntire was first out of her chair for a standing ovation.
“Y’all are cute as a button,” she said. “I thought you did a great job. There were a few little things where I thought you might’ve gotten lost, but congratulations on pulling this off. You did a wonderful job.”
Not only did they not get lost, they’re now on a straight-forward path. McEntire selected the brothers to advance to the Playoffs.
“It was a hard decision because Zeya is so good,” McEntire explained. “But I had to choose Justin and Jeremy because of the uniqueness of their act. Everybody’s a great singer, but we have to have something a little different and going with the brothers was part of my strategy.”
Watch the performance on NBC‘s The Voice below.
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If you’re a sports fan, ESPN is the go-to hub for year-round live sporting events, including NBA, Major League Baseball games and NCAA tournaments including March Madness. The ESPN channel is one of the easiest ways to get access to games and analysis, but sports fans who have become cord cutters don’t have to re-invest in cable if they want to watch ESPN. There are a variety of affordable streaming options that can give you access to watch ESPN online.
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These days, there are a number of live TV streaming platforms that include ESPN as well as hundreds of other channels that’ll get you access to NHL, MLB and more online at home. Plus, most of the platforms include promos and free trials that’ll help save you additional money while allowing you to watch ESPN online for free.
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Keep reading to learn how to watch ESPN at home without cable.
How to Watch ESPN Online Without Cable
ESPN+ is the official streaming platform for ESPN, and a subscription includes instant access to games and more exclusive content for $10.99/month. You can save more than 15% off by purchasing an annual subscription for $109.99/year. There is no free ESPN+ trial, but it does include exclusive on-demand videos and access to content from what was formerly known as ESPN Insider.
In addition to live sports, ESPN+ has original shows to stream on-demand, plus game recaps and analysis hosted by Peyton Manning, a shorter version of NFL Primetime and full replays of historic NFL matchups.
To expand your savings and content offerings, you can also bundle ESPN+ with Hulu and Disney+ for a single monthly price of just $14.99 for all three services.
How to Watch ESPN Online Free
While ESPN+ doesn’t currently offer a free trial, there are other streamers that offer ESPN online free. If you want access to ESPN and additional channels, you can take advantage of DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV and Fubo, which are all offering free trials or promos right now. Some of them can give you free access to ESPN for up to a week.
Here are all the ways to watch ESPN online, including ways to stream ESPN online for free.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream is providing new users with a five-day free trial when you sign up for one of the four packages offered by the streaming service. All of the packages include ESPN so you can watch the channel online.
In addition, you can save $30 when you combine a streaming package with a “Sports Pack.” Right now, the Entertainment + Sports Pack is $85 (reg. $95) for the first three months and includes ESPN. After the three months is over, you’ll be charged the regular package price.
Local channels are included in the streaming packages as well as unlimited DVR storage and the ability to stream on as many smart devices as you want.
Sling TV
Sling TV is providing new users half-off their first month when they sign up for one of the three packages available. ESPN is only included in the Orange and Orange + Blue packages, which you can get for as low as $20 for the first month (reg. $40). After your first month you’ll be charged the full package price.
The Orange package includes 32 channels and can be streamed on one device at once. For even more channel options including FS1 and the NFL Network, you can combine both plans for $27.50 for the first month (reg. $55/month) and get access to 68 channels.
Fubo
Fubo is another affordable option you can take advantage of to watch ESPN online. The streamer offers a seven-day free trial that’ll give you access to ESPN free and more than 100 live TV channels.
After your free trial is over, Fubo’s Pro Plan is its cheapest option at $79.99/month and it comes with 199 channels, 1000 hours of DVR storage and the ability to watch content on up to 10 screens at once. You can also upgrade to its Premier plan for $99.99/month, which includes everything in its Elite plan as well as access to Showtime and 275 channels.
Hulu + Live TV
For the most content options, Hulu + Live TV gives you access to the entire Hulu library in addition to more than 95 live TV channels — including ESPN for just $77/month.
And, unlike the rest of the options, you can also expand your content library by bundling Hulu + Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+. You’ll not only have all of the Hulu library to watch, but also exclusive and original programming available exclusively on ESPN+.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Coachella kicked off Friday (April 12) and was packed with surprise appearances, from Billie Eilish joining Lana Del Rey on stage […]
Emmy Russell is continuing on her late grandmother’s legacy — what could be a better birthday gift than that? Loretta Lynn‘s 25-year-old granddaughter stunned American Idol judges and viewers alike with a raw performance of an original song titled “Want You” on the show’s Sunday (April 14) episode, which aired the same day the legendary singer-songwriter would have turned 92.
Taking the stage backdropped by a blue screen of heavenly clouds, Russell channeled the “Coal Miner’s Daughter” star in a puffy-sleeved, collared floral dress and boots. Assisted by a backup band, she delivered crystal clear vocals while singing her self-written lyrics: “I want you to want me like I want you/ I want you to need me like I need you/ If you’re gonna leave me, then cut me loose/ I want you to want me.”
When cameras cut to the panel of judges, Katy Perry smiled, while Luke Bryan seemed mesmerized by the young hopeful’s moving performance.
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After the performance, Lynn’s official Instagram account posted a photo of Russell and wrote, “What a birthday gift!”
“Emmy was born on [Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn] and Loretta’s anniversary and now we have this milestone on Loretta’s birthday!” the caption continued. “Loretta told all who would listen that Emmy had something special and now the world is seeing for themselves.”
The episode — which found this season’s top 20 contestants going head to head as the competition pool continues to be narrowed down — came exactly 92 years after Lynn was born in Butcher Hollow, Ky. A three-time Grammy winner, she remains one of country music’s most prolific songwriters and scored 42 top 10 entries on the Top Country Albums chart before her death at age 90 in 2022.
Perry, Bryan and Lionel Richie were flabbergasted to find out about Russell’s famous lineage when the Nashville-based artist first auditioned for Idol, for which she performed another original song — “Skinny.” “My grandma’s a country singer so I grew up singing,” she told the judges at the time, with Richie exclaiming after the big reveal, “Your grandma is … what?!”
“You’ve got the gift,” Perry told Russell after her audition. “I don’t think you need to compare yourself to what grandma was … you’re totally different, you shouldn’t give yourself all that pressure.”
Watch Russell’s performance of “Want You” above, and see the post from Loretta Lynn’s Instagram below.
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Funko is releasing Doja Cat Pop! collectible to celebrate the “Agora Hills” rapper’s headlining set at Coachella. The limited-edition Pop! drops on Monday (April 15), but fans will have to act fast to secure the new Pop!, which is available exclusively at Funko.com.
The Festival Doja Cat Pop! ($30) showcases the Grammy winner’s unique signature style in the form of a collectible Funko Pop! The vinyl comes with a premium Pop! protector with an official LE sticker and will be available from April 15 to 23.
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Funko has immortalized other rappers in Pop! form, including 21 Savage, Post Malone, Notorious B.I.G., Salt ‘N Pepa, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, Run DMC, Master P, Ice Cube, Kid ‘N Play and Ja Rule.
The limited release comes on the heels of part one of Doja Cat’s headlining set at Coachella on Sunday (April 14). The 28-year-old rap star rocked a packed crowd with songs such as “Tia Tamera,” “Demons,” “Agora Hills,” “Gun,” “Ouchies, “Attention,” “Need to Know,” “FTG,” “Wet V” and “Paint the Town Red.” The show also featured guest appearances from 21 Savage and A$AP Rocky.
Weekend 2 of Coachella takes place from April 19 to 21. Doja Cat will take the stage for her second headlining performance next Sunday, April 21. Other headliners include Lana Del Rey Tyler, the Creator and No Doubt.
Tems, J. Balvin, Jhene Aiko, Grimes, Peso Pluma, Chlöe , ATEEZ, John Batiste, Victoria Monét, Ice Spice, Sabrina Carpenter, Bebe Rexha and Lil Uzi Vert are some of the many acts on the bill. Click here to score last-minute tickets to Coachella.
Pre-order the Festival Doja Cat Funko Pop! below.
Doja Cat as a Funko Pop! figure.
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According to multiple sources, Rico Wade, part of Organized Noize and one of the founders of the legendary Dungeon Family of producers and artists out of Atlanta, has passed away. He was 52.
Along with Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown, Wade formed Organized Noize, a production team that worked out of his mother’s basement in Atlanta—which came to be known as “The Dungeon.” Organized Noize would produce OutKast’s landmark debut album, Southernplayaliticadillacmuzik, and would go on to make music for TLC, En Vogue, Ludacris and more. The “Dungeon Family” includes artists like OutKast, Goodie Mob, Killer Mike, Witchdoctor and Cool Breeze, amongst others.
Thus to call Wade instrumental in the creation and proliferation of the Southern Hip-Hop sound out of Atlanta is a massive understatement.
The Grammy Award winning-rapper Killer Mike took to Instagram to mourn Wade’s death. “I don’t have the words to express my deep and profound sense of loss,” wrote Mike for a caption of a photo of Wade in a studio. “I am Praying for your wife and Children. I am praying for the Wade family. I am praying for us all. I deeply appreciate your acceptance into The Dungeon Family, mentorship, Friendship and Brotherhood. Idk where I would be without ya’ll.”
A documentary about the Dungeon Family collective, The Art of Organized Noize, featured Wade prominently and was released on Netflix in 2016. Also worth noting, Wade is star rapper Future’s cousin.
No cause of death has been revealed at this time. Rest in powerful peace Rico Wade.
Check out reactions to his untimely passing in the gallery.
This story is developing.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Now that Scrub Daddy sponges have made a name for themselves in the home cleaning sphere, the brand is ready to […]
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Taylor Swift has been turning out the looks during her record-breaking Eras tour (which you can still get tickets to here), […]
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Draft Day is almost here. The 2024 WNBA Draft will broadcast live from the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Monday (April 15).
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, LSU’s Angel Reese, Stanford’s Cameron Brink and Tennessee’s Rikea Jackson are some of the stars of women’s college basketball that will be entering the league. Clark, the all-time NCAA scorer, is expected to be the No. 1 draft pick.
Keep reading for details on when and how to watch the WNBA draft without cable.
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How to Watch the WNBA Draft on ESPN Without Cable
The 2024 WNBA Draft is presented by State Farm and will air at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. And you don’t need cable to watch live or on-demand, from any location and various streaming devices.
You can watch ESPN live on DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV. Get instant access to ESPN and other sports channels for one low price — all you need is internet access (and ExpressVPN to stream internationally).
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Subscribe to DirecTV Stream or Fubo to watch ESPN and over 75 other channels. Both streaming plans include a free trial, DVR recording and the ability to stream from multiple devices at once.
Subscribe to Sling TV and save $20 off your first month. The streaming plan includes 30+ channels such as ESPN, TBS, FS1, FX and other channels.
ESPN will air coverage of first round pick from five team draft rooms located in Indiana, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, and Washington. The network will also broadcast live coverage from the Indiana Fever and Los Angeles Sparks official watch parties.
ESPN’s Ryan Ruocco will host the draft broadcast alongside analysts Rebecca Lobo and Andraya Carter and reporter Holly Rowe. The WNBA draft festivities starts with the WNBA Countdown Presented by Google at 7 p.m. ET and hosted by LaChina Robinson, along with analysts Carolyn Peck and Chiney Ogwumike. The pre-show will features “interviews with key draftees,” highlight from Clark’s college basketball career and a fashion rundown, per ESPN.
After a record-breaking NCAA Women’s championship that saw the highest ratings in championship history, Reese hopes the ratings surge will extend to the WNBA.
“I think I’ve done a lot in college and so many different players have done the same thing. Being able to take this to the [WNBA] is where you want to do it at. And I think they deserve it, especially the vets,” Reese told the New York Post on Friday. “I mean they’ve done a great job, laying the groundwork for us.”