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Pride is here and we’re celebrating the only way we know how; by shopping the most colorful makeup products on the market.
Whether you’re gearing up for a festival or heading out to the gay bars, we’ve compiled a list of stellar products available now on Amazon to get you ready for whatever Pride events June holds for you. We’ve got big names like Milk Makeup, Saie, Wet N Wild, ColourPop and E.l.f Cosmetics bringing you glitter-packed, color-heavy products like bold liquid eyeshadow, setting spray and a rainbow highlighter that you can wear proudly. Get ready to celebrate your community in style, with a flawless face to boot.
Unicorn Snot Face & Body Glitter in Disco
$14.99
$16.00
6% off
Chunky face and body glitter in a gel formula.
Finally, your insides can match your outsides. If you want to show off your vibrant personality and orientation this Pride, why not start with body glitter? This one from Unicorn Snot works safely on both the face and body. Our favorite colorway is the Disco hue which is jam-packed with cosmetic-grade chunky holographic reflects suspended in a non-toxic gel formula that glides on the sink, leaving a sparkling sheen in its wake.
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Once applied, the glitter gel dries down quickly and doesn’t budge or flake so you can sweat it out dancing at a festival and it will stay put. From raves to bars, this glitter can even be put into your hair, offering a high-shine finish to each strand. To complete your Pride look, we recommend working this into the high points of the face, especially the cheekbones. For a more impactful look, dab some on the shoulders and collarbones.
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Kiko Milano 3d Hydra Lipgloss in 41 Rosy Glares
A moisturizing duochrome lip gloss.
Ultra glossy and hydrating too, Kiko Milano’s 3d Hydra Lipgloss has got it all. We’ve picked out shade 41 Rosy Glares because it’s universally flattering on a multitude of skin tones and it’s filled with glitter perfect for Pride. The formula features duochrome flecks of glitter that offer the lips an otherworldly sparkle without any grittiness. Passionfruit oil works to moisturize, leaving the lips moisturized but never sticky. Finally, the handy flocked applicator is elongated and flexible, perfect for touch-ups on the go. For the best results, we recommend lining the lips with a nude pencil for shape before following up with the gloss.
Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Illuminator in 02 Sunglow
A gel illuminator with skincare ingredients.
Want a “glow from within” kind of sheen to your skin? We do too. Saie’s Glowy Super Gel Illuminator achieves this look in spades, without ever having to step out into the sun. This lightweight gel formula comes in four shades and acts to prime and hydrate the skin. The product is packed with skincare ingredients like rose hip seed oil and vitamin C for brightness and plant-derived glycerin to boost your hydration that leaves your skin looking and feeling its best.
Simply used on its own, the gel offers a nice wash over light color for a healthy-looking makeup-free sheen. Pro tip, you can use this product beneath your foundation or tinted moisturizer to give your base a glowy finish. You can also mix the product into your foundation for more impactful results.
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Setting Spray
A moisturizing facial setting spray with hyaluronic acid.
If you’re a seasoned Pride festival attendee, you’ll know how hot it can be. Which means sweating is inevitable. In order to keep your glam looking its best upon first application and hours later, you’ll want to grab Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Setting Spray. This spray locks your glam in place, combatting against the sweat and heat for up to 12 hours. Not only does this setting spray to keep your makeup in place, but it also keeps it looking fresh thanks to its hydrating properties. It’s all about the ingredients. The product’s hyaluronic acid and niacinamide boost hydration, while the added hemp seed oil locks in moisture, keeping skin looking glowy even after hours of partying.
Wet N Wild Fantasy Makers Color Icon Rainbow Highlighter
A rainbow pressed powder highlighter.
We implore you to wear your pride on your cheeks this Pride with help from Wet N Wild. This ultra-colorful pressed powder highlighter went viral back in 2016 for its color payoff that looks more natural than meets the eye rather than a stripe of color on the cheek. Although the colors in the pan look intimidating, once you swirl your brush into the product and swipe onto the skin, you’re left with a uniform iridescent sheen in bluish-purple hues.
If you’re looking for that highlighter rainbow look, you can take a fluffy eyeshadow brush and work it through the intended colors one by one, applying it to the cheek before blending together for a less uniform rainbow sheen. Whatever application you choose, each color is meant to mix to create a sheen that you can see from space.
E.L.F. Liquid Metallic Eyeshadow in Little Dipper
$3.00
$6.00
50% off
A sparkling liquid eyeshadow in a pinkish purple hue.
Sparkling eyeshadow is a must during Pride. This E.l.f. liquid shadow is a metallic dream, and it’s just $3. The brand features eight different blinding hues that offer impactful color payoff in just one swipe. Our favorite shade is Little Dipper, a pinkish-purple shadow with fine glitter flecks that make the eyes look like bright stars. Plus the doe foot allows for precise application every time. These shadows are creamy and blendable but dry down in moments, meant to last long into the night. Each shade is buildable, allowing you to take your look from drag brunch to the club in seconds.
ColourPop Fade Into Hue Eyeshadow Palette
A multi-colored pressed eyeshadow palette with matte, shimmer and glitter finishes.
Nothing screams Pride more than rainbow hues. This Colourpop Fade Into Hue palette has pretty much everything you need to create the perfect eye look. You’ve got mattes, shimmers and glitters in impactful hues of the rainbow from pink to purple and everything in between. Mattes are blendable and pigmented while the shimmers offer a subtle but buildable sheen perfect to illuminate the inner corners or brow bone. Finally, the glitters are chunkier than the shimmers, offering a more impactful shine when patted on the center of the lids.
Taboo is joining the universe of Dora the Explorer. The Black Eyed Peas member wrote a new song titled “Melodía” for Paramount+’s DORA animated series, and Billboard has an exclusive first look at the number.
In a preview of the upcoming episode — titled “Dora’s Song for Papi” — Dora and her trusty BFF Boots travel through a colorful rainforest to create a special song for her dad before they can celebrate Papi-Dora Day together. On the way, the duo encounter cockatoos Quickatoo and Quickatina, voiced by Taboo and his 9-year-old daughter Jett.
“There’s no easy way of knowing/ Lo que te puede hacer/ Once the rhythm gets you goin’/ You feel it otra vez/ Ritmo, ambiente, flavor, sabor/ This music will give you that hunger for more,” Quickatoo sings in the sneak peek, as Quickatina plays along on a rainbow xylophone.
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Get an exclusive preview of Taboo’s performance of “Melodía” below.
In perfect harmony with the episode’s themes, Jett tells Billboard Family that working with her famous dad was “a great opportunity to have a father-and-daughter day together.”
“Jett and I, we spend a lot of time — whether we’re reading books at night creating characters and dialogue, or we’re making videos dancing — we’ve always had this creative spirit,” Taboo chimed in. “So to be able to channel that in such a great project like the DORA brand and experience, it’s a reflection of who we are as father and daughter.”
(Stay tuned for Billboard Family‘s full video interview with Taboo and Jett, coming soon.)
“Melodía” will also be featured on the show’s upcoming soundtrack, The Great Dora Fiesta (25th Anniversary Tribute Album), which arrives on June 13 and includes reimaginings of classic Dora ditties like “Swiper No Swiping,” “Backpack” and “I’m the Map,” as well as the original songs “Súper Bien” and “Dora-cappella.”
Taboo and Jett’s episode of DORA will begin streaming on Wednesday, July 2, exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. and internationally where the streaming service is available.
Taboo and Jett onstage at Black Eyed Peas’ New Year’s Eve concert on Dec. 31, 2023, at The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas.
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Just days after it was reported that Ariana Grande has been cast in Meet the Parents 4, the comedy series’ co-star, Robert De Niro, confirmed that he’ll be sharing screen time with the singer and Oscar-nominated Wicked star.
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On Monday night’s (June 9) Tonight Show, De Niro, 81, passed the lie detector test and said “that’s true,” when host Jimmy Fallon asked if the rumors about Grande’s casting were accurate. Asked if he knows Grande, De Niro said no, but recalled that they met seven or eight years ago when he dropped in to Saturday Night Live with one of his kids, who wanted to meet the singer.
“I didn’t do something with her, but she was on the same show,” De Niro recalled. “And we talked and I introduced her and one of my kids wanted to meet her.” At press time it was unknown what role Grande, 31, will play in the series about a taciturn retired CIA agent (De Niro) coming to grips with his bumbling, nebbish nurse son-in-law (Ben Stiller), though The Hollywood Reporter reported that the singer will play a “ball-busting” woman engaged to marry the now-adult son of Stiller and co-star Teri Polo’s Greg and Pam Focker.
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The cast has been talking up the latest edition to the franchise, with De Niro, Stiller, Polo and director Jay Roach celebrating the 25th anniversary of the original Meet the Parents while taking the stage at De Niro’s Tribeca Festival this week to talk about the sequel. Stiller, 59, called Grande “so talented… so great with comedy,” during a Q&A at the festival. And while Stiller said he couldn’t say too much about Grande’s character, he revealed that the role is “really, really funny and kind of the engine of the whole movie.”
When the interviewer joked that because of Grande’s inclusion the fourth go-round should, naturally, be a musical, De Niro quipped, “half the scenes that I have with her will be singing scenes.” John Hamburg, who co-wrote the first three movies, will direct the fourth one, the follow-up to Meet the Fockers (2004) and Little Fockers (2010).
Grande got her start on the Nickelodeon series Victorious and iCarly before becoming a breakout pop superstar and earning Oscar and Golden Globe best supporting actress nominations for her role as Glinda in the first part of the double-up big screen adaptation of the musical Wicked. It will be Grande’s first new film role following her acclaimed turn in Wicked, whose second installment, Wicked: For Good, is due out on Nov. 21.
Watch De Niro talk Grande on Tonight Show below.
Outer Banks star Jonathan Daviss has been tapped to play Snoop Dogg in an upcoming biopic from director Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Coming 2 America). According to The Hollywood Reporter, Brewer is currently working on revising the script previously written by Joe Robert Cole (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) that tells the story of Calvin […]
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. This Lululemon shoulder bag is currently going viral, and it’s on sale now for just $39. The brand’s City Essentials bag […]
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. Looking to take your concert footwear game to the next level? Amazon has got you covered. Searching for concert attire is […]
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.
Nobody does Y2K style better than pop star Addison Rae.
With help from her stylist Dara, the “Aquamarine” singer has quickly become a major fixture of the fashion scene, creating statement after statement in pieces that draw inspo from pop divas like Britney Spears and Madonna. Rae’s style is hard to pinpoint, but she often gravitates towards pieces that straddle aesthetics, both sporty and girly all with an early 2000s undertone.
She’s certainly come a long way from her TikToker days, evolving her style to reflect her stardom and pop diva persona. Rae’s athletic today is simply a masterclass in the art of rebranding. You’ve got baby tees and micro shorts along with kitten heels and low-rise denim.
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For formal occasions, she’s keen on referencing some of the greats, pulling inspo from the past ala Marilyn Monroe or present like Lady Gaga. You’ll find the star in a mix of brands both high and low, vintage and new, emulating that iconic “trashy chic” vibe we’ve seen on stars like Paris Hilton. The singer currently pulls pieces from brands like Intimissimi, Agent Provocateur, The Row, Adidas, Hoka, Vivienne Westwood, Free People, Urban Outfitters and Christian Louboutin.
To celebrate the release of Rae’s first namesake album Addison, we’ve picked out a few pieces from SSENSE that we think match the singer’s aesthetic to a T. If you’re looking to emulate the performer’s wardrobe, you’re in the right place.
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Repetto Red Cendrillon Ballerina Flats
$209.00
$380.00
45% off
Red patent leather flats with bow detailing at the toe.
Currently retailing for $209, these flats are a classic example of Rae’s off-duty style. We’ve seen the singer sporting similar styles on numerous occasions with and without a heel. Repetto’s flats are simply iconic and these are no exception. The silhouette is made of glossy patent leather in a striking bright red hue. The shoe is affixed with bow accents on the toe and short and sturdy block heels.
Rubber-injected soles offer the style a non-slip feel while keeping the soles protected from scuffing and wear. Rae will often style flats with more feminine pieces like a miniskirt, cropped cami tops or babydoll dresses. The look is reminiscent of the casual nature with which stars like Amy Winehouse wore ballet flats until they were basically falling apart.
Anna Sui Pink Arcadia Blossom Babydoll Minidress
$288.00
$575.00
50% off
A pink floral babydoll dress with lace trim and a collar.
Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. Hear us out. Rae has a deep affinity for feminine silhouettes and nobody does fem silhouettes better than Anna Sui. This piece from the beloved designer brand is pastel pink in a mini length with pink and green florals throughout. The dress includes a Peter Pan collar and lace trim on the sleeves. The garment’s slightly sheer nature is very Rae, given the star usually opts for pieces that are often provocative and boundary-pushing. We can envision the “2 Die 4” singer wearing this dress with chunky leather biker boots or rain boots, juxtaposing the girly nature of the piece, a styling route she often takes.
Haight Black Cotton Jumpsuit
$118.00
$295.00
60% off
A black stretchy cotton jumpsuit with a plunging neckline.
Basics are a constant in Rae’s wardrobe. When she’s heading to a Pilates class or grabbing matcha, she’ll often wear jumpsuits or one-pieces in neutral tones layered beneath baggy graphic tees or zip-ups. This piece from Haight is perfect for layering and accessorizing because it’s so simple. Retailing for $118.00, the jumpsuit is crafted of breathable and ultra-stretchy cotton for a comfortable form-fit.
The garment consists of a plunging strappy neckline and biker-esque shorts on the bottom. It’s athleisure at its finest. To get like Rae, we suggest wearing this jumpsuit with white ankle socks, black loafers and a coordinating shoulder bag. You could also opt for the sporty route and wear an eye-catching graphic tee, chunky sneakers and sunglasses. This piece is best styled casually for those moments when you want to look cute without much effort.
Belle Gray & White Flounce Miniskirt
$144.00
$160.00
10% off
A gray and white cotton and rayon miniskirt with stripes and an asymmetric hem.
Rae is a balletcore girly. As we’ve mentioned, she loves a good feminine piece. The singer’s everyday outfits often consist of something dancerly like tights, legwarmers, ballet flats or wrap skirts. We think this skirt from Belle coordinates with Rae’s aesthetic to a tee. Retailing for $144.00, this skirt is made of a mix of cotton and rayon and sits mid-rise. The skirt is equipped with a striped print throughout in shades of gray and white. The asymmetric hem offers visual interest, leaning into styles we’ve seen in the 2000s. Rae would likely wear this piece sat low on the hips accompanied by a graphic baby tee and ballet flats or dressed up with kitten heels and a cowl-neck top.
I’m Sorry by Petra Collins SSENSE Exclusive Pink Mimi Wade Edition Baby T-Shirt
$48.00
$105.00
54% off
A pink cropped baby tee with a mermaid printed on the front.
This baby tee takes Rae’s mermaid-esque aesthetic literally. Inspired by her “Aquamarine” music video, we picked this piece from I’m Sorry by Petra Collins because it was practically made for the singer. Add to this theory the fact that Rae and Collins worked together on the launch of Collins’ brand for SSENSE. The tee is the 2000s in a nutshell, featuring a pink color scheme and a kitschy mermaid graphic on the front. It’s whimsical and childish, while the cut of the tee is more adult. Rae would likely wear this t-shirt styled with low-rise jeans or yoga pants paired with low-top sneakers. She’d likely even up the Y2K ante with a newsboy cap or large sunglasses.
Staud Blue & White Brigitte Mule Heeled Sandals
$201.00
$295.00
32% off
Blue and white gingham mules with short stiletto heels.
On her formal days, Rae seems to gravitate toward mules and kitten heels. She’s been spotted in styles from brands like Miu Miu in the past. These Staud Brigitte mules play off of Rae’s love of vintage styles thanks to the nifty gingham in shades of blue and white. The 2.25-inch heel and open toe make the style both easy to walk in and comfortable respectively. Plus the backless silhouette allows for easy on and off for those on the go. Rae has worn kitten heel or mule silhouettes with matching sets and maxi skirts in the past. We could also easily see her in these worn with mirco shorts and a halter top.
Anna Sui Black Polka Dot Ruched Lace Camisole
$347.00
$385.00
10% off
A black and white polka-dotted cami with lace trim.
Polka-dots are having a resurgence this year. The print was largely avoided in the past because it was deemed “too bold” for some (looking at you minimalists). While the print is striking, this Anna Sui cami strikes a balance between maximalism and minimalism by incorporating polka dots in neutral black and white hues.
The “Fame Is A Gun” singer wears cami tops on the regular, usually in cropped styles and this seemingly fits the bill. The lace trim is also a nice Rae-approved touch, playing on her love of fem pieces. For a Rae-approved look recommend wearing this with a matching polka-dotted maxi skirt or shorts. If you want to lean less into the polka-dot-forward look, wear the cami with baggy jeans in black or blue.
Acne Studio Black Metal Frame Sunglasses
Shield-esque sunglasses with a little heart charm fixed to the frame.
If you take a close look into Rae’s personal style, you’ll likely see a bunch of big sunglasses. These from Acne Studios are very similar to eyewear the musician has worn in the past, leaning into her love of the early 2000s. The metal frame of these sunnies are affixed with a cute silver heart charm, imparting a playful touch that contrasts the structured all-black frame. The lenses are large and shield-like, eclipsing the wearer’s face. These are for those days when you may or may not be hungover and don’t want to be perceived.
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The BET Awards celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and the network is going all out on performances, nostalgic moments and an all-star lineup of presenters and attendees. Kevin Hart is set to return as host while Lil Wayne, GloRilla and Playboy Carti are just a few must-see musical acts of the night. BET will also celebrate its iconic music video countdown show, 106 & Park, with a special tribute that’ll feature former hosts AJ Calloway, Free Marie Wright, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J.
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The 2025 BET Awards will premiere live on Monday, June 9 at 8 p.m. ET. To make sure you don’t miss out on culture’s biggest night, here’s everything you need to know about the awards show including how to watch it online.
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Who Is Performing At The BET Awards?
For the show’s 25th anniversary, BET called in a star-studded lineup featuring Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, GloRilla, Playboi Carti and Leon Thomas to perform on the big stage.
Who Has The Most BET Awards Nominations?
To no surprise, Kendrick Lamar leads all nominees with 10, including an album of the year nod for his latest album GNX and record of the year and song of the year for “Not Like Us.” There’s also a four-way tie between Drake, GloRilla, Doechii, and Future, who all have six nominations each. Metro Boomin earned five nods, while The Weeknd and SZA both received four.
How to Watch the BET Awards Online
The 2025 BET Awards will air on Monday, June 9 on BET. If you don’t have cable, the award show will be available to stream through several channels including Sling, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV and Philo.
Sling TV
You can take advantage of half off for first month of all of Sling TV‘s streaming packages with prices starting at just $23. There are three package plans to choose from: Orange, Blue and Orange + Blue with every option including the TNT channel. After your first month is up you’ll be charged the regular subscription price based on the package you pick.
The Orange Package comes with nearly 35 channels and can be streamed on just one device at a time. Included in the Blue Package is nearly 50 channels. Can’t choose? You can combine both packages and get all channels and the ability to stream on up to three devices at once.
Please note: Pricing and channel availability varies from market-to-market.
Hulu + Live TV
For the most content offerings, you can sign up for Hulu + Live TV and get access to the Hulu library in addition to more than 95 live TV channels (including BET). The streaming platform starts at $82.99 per month.
And, for even more programming, Hulu + Live TV now comes bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+, which will give you everything within the Hulu library in addition to exclusive content on ESPN for even more sports coverage.
Philo
if you’re a new Philo subscriber, you can sign up for a seven-day free trial to try out the streamer for yourself before you commit. The service offers a slate of free channels with ad-supported free-to-stream movies, TV shows and other programming. However, you can upgrade to Philo to stream more than 70 channels, including A&E, MTV, Lifetime, OWN, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., HGTV, TLC, BET, FYI, WE tv, Logo and Discovery Channel for $28 per month. A subscription even comes with unlimited DVR cloud recording.
DirecTV
DirecTV is offering new users a five-day free trial when you sign up. All of the signature packages include TNT, so you can stream the channels online.
If you’re a big sports fan, you can sign up for the streaming service’s “MySports” Genre Pack, which includes channels, like TNT, ESPN, NBA TV, ABC, ESPN2, Fox Sports and much more starting at $69.99 per month.
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.
American League rivals New York Yankees take on the Kansas City Royals to begin a three-game series. Starting on Tuesday (June 10), Yankees vs. Royals takes place at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Want to watch the MLB game online? Keep reading for the best way to livestream.
New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals broadcasts live, with a start time of 7:40 p.m. ET/4:40 p.m. PT. The game airs on TBS. It will be available to livestream on Hulu + Live TV. Prices for the cable alternative start at $82.99 per month, while each plan comes with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ at no additional cost. Sign up for a 3-day free trial to try out the streaming service for yourself.
Hulu + Live TV might be best for those who want all of these streaming services together in one bundle. It also features many other networks, including MLB Network, ESPN2, Fox Sports, CBS Sports Network, ABC, Hallmark Channel, BET, CMT, Disney Channel, NBC and many other channels.
Starting at 7:40 p.m. ET/4:40 p.m. PT, the New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals airs on TBS on Tuesday (June 10). The game is available to livestream with Hulu + Live TV.
What Are the Yankees and Royals Walk Up Songs?
Yankees-star Aaron Judge typically walk up to the plate to “Swag Surfin’” by Fast Life Yungstaz, while Royals-star Salvador Perez usually walks up to “CAFé CON RON” by Bad Bunny. Check out a complete of list of walk up songs from New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals.
Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
While riggers hung massive lights and construction workers assembled the stage on a grueling day before Tyler Childers‘ June 2024 concert at the United Center, three young locals showed up: Cheryl, Larry and Ted. And Cheryl gave Kyle Crownover, Childers’ tour manager, a look.
“I was like, ‘I think that’s the one,’” he tells Billboard.
Cheryl, a small terrier-chihauhua mix who tends to “collapse in people’s arms and just look at them,” as Crownover puts it, was a delivery from Chicago’s One Tail at a Time, an animal-rescue group that admitted 1,126 dogs in 2022 and found homes for 1,066, a 97% save rate. Over the past few years, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Kelsea Ballerini, Ed Sheeran, Green Day, Pearl Jam, Blink-182, Maggie Rogers and many others have been beneficiaries of adorable furry deliveries to cheer up artists and crews.
“We’re usually on the road three weeks at a time, so that’s three weeks away from your family. We’re close with the crew, but, on a show day, there’s not time to go meet your friends in the city, so we’re confined to whatever spot we’re playing,” Crownover says. “To bring that in” — the puppies, and occasionally kittens — “and instantly see everyone’s mood change, it’s hard to be stressed.”
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The trend of bringing adoptable pets backstage kicked in about a decade ago, when members of Slayer, Testament and Carcass posed for adorable photos in which they were cuddling with rescued animals before a Seattle show in 2016. But it took off after the pandemic. Returning to work and dealing with strict COVID-19 protocols, inflation and supply-chain issues, crews could be glum.
In some cases, artists — especially those involved in their own animal-rescue charities, such as Miranda Lambert’s Mutt Nation — request the perk in advance. In others, venue managers emphasized “taking care of crew and making sure that the backstage is more of a place where they feel welcome and more at home,” says Amy Tavares, a Nashville-based Live Nation backstage experience manager who has worked with Wags & Walks and other groups to bring in puppies, kittens, goats and pigs to arena and stadium concerts over the last few years.
“It absolutely could be therapeutic. The road can be isolating for everybody, and it makes sense to me that these animals who are offering love and connection are highlighting a deep need for that,” Lucy Kozak Cesnik, a Nashville psychotherapist who used to work as a CAA music agent, tells Billboard. “Animals can lead the way to access being seen and heard, with people who’ve had trauma in their relationships, without their defenses up. Healing can’t just happen in the therapy office.”
Adds Marika Anthony-Shaw, a former Arcade Fire violinist who is founder and CEO of Plus1, a philanthropy group that partners with Carpenter: “You go from bus to backstage and bus to backstage, maybe a couple hotels and maybe a couple flights. There’s a sense of Groundhog Day. The mental-health benefits of interacting with animals reduces stress. There’s a mood boost.”
Working with managers and concert venues, the local rescue groups identify three or four young animals — usually pups — who are more likely to be friendly to people because they haven’t yet learned to be scared of them, then cart them in carriers to the show. They bring playpens, food and treats, and the venues provide a backstage room and bowls of water. So far, no dogs have been reported to have escaped and roamed the stage, disrupting shows, This Is Spinal Tap-style.
“They did not do that!” says Greta Palmer, chief communications and brand officer for Best Friends Animal Society — a Utah-based animal sanctuary with programs in New York, Los Angeles and elsewhere — which provided three puppies and three kittens at a Carpenter show last year, and six kittens as part of a “cuddle lounge” for a 2023 Kesha concert in Atlanta. “We have a bunch of staff that go, and we’ll set up an area with a gate, and people can come in and hang with them, play with them, love on them [and] ideally adopt them.” (Best Friends did not do on-site adoptions for the Kesha show, and none of the animals were adopted at the Carpenter event.)
The strategy worked for Crownover and Cheryl, whom the tour manager adopted shortly after Childers’ Chicago concert. Cheryl has been on the road with the crew ever since, meeting 100 new people a day and greeting visiting foster puppies in various cities. (Crew members on the Childers tour also adopted Larry and Ted after meeting them at the United Center.)
“The main reason we do it is to promote the dogs and promote adoption,” says Alli Rooney, One Tail at a Time’s marketing manager. “And everyone needs a bit more lightness in the world right now.”
The animal visits are pure good-vibes publicity too. When Motley Zoo Animal Rescue brought dogs to the 2016 Slayer-Testament-Carcass show in Seattle, the most tattooed and scowling of metal stars melted in photos with adorable puppies; when Brighter Days Dog Rescue brought dogs to Billie Eilish’s Denver show in November, the organization’s social media post showed the singer-songwriter cheek to cheek with puppies and said they were “showered with love” by the star; and Sheeran has posed with tiny backstage-delivery kittens multiple times, including in 2017, when the SPCA of Wake County surprised him before a Raleigh, N.C., show with animals rescued from a nearby horse farm. At CMA Fest’s kickoff in Nashville June 5, Wags & Walks provided adoptable puppies at an “artist oasis” area, luring country performers such as Gavin Adcock, Ashley Cooke, Meghan Patrick and Kaylee Rose.
Gavin Adcock
Wags & Walks
Some venues, according to Mallory Kerlie, marketing director of Muddy Paws, a New York dog-rescue group, have restrictions on both dogs and cats, many relating to the potential for rabies or injuries. And some rules disallow pit bulls or dogs heavier than 25 pounds. “Here in New York, that’s a particular challenge,” she says. But Muddy Paws accompanies the puppies with trained staff and reliable carriers, and navigates public transportation in case parking is an issue. At the venues, she adds, “It’s a small room with doors. That’s usually the best way to keep them safe.”
Kittens are slightly easier to haul into concerts than dogs, notes Best Friends’ Palmer. She explains: “We can just set up an X-pen and they tend to stay pretty contained.”
Wags & Walks has provided puppies, kittens and even baby goats and pigs for Nashville arenas and stadiums. The non-profit animal rescue group placed the dogs in a soundproof room during Rufus Du Soul’s Ascend Amphitheater soundcheck in May (“So they wouldn’t get scared,” explains Taveras), and also surprised Kelsea Ballerini at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles by presenting her with three small sibling puppies for a photo op.
Neither Ballerini nor her team was available for a post-pup interview, but Lesley Brog, founder of Wags & Walks, knew the country superstar’s own dog, Dibs, was going through cancer treatment. “She’s a huge dog lover, and they thought it would make sense,” she says.
Shortly after the puppies arrived before Ballerini’s show, Wags & Walks set them up in a conference room near the office of Cara Vanderhook, the arena’s vp of marketing and communications. The exec mentioned them in a staff chat, and within half an hour, Vanderhook tells Billboard, “I’m not joking, I probably had 30 people in the conference room playing with these puppies. It gave everybody a moment to take a breath when they needed it.”
