Culture
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08/17/2023
The 1975’s Matty Healy and Ross MacDonald were far from the first artists to protest anti-LGBTQ laws through public displays during a concert.
08/17/2023
The three children of late conductor/composer/pianist Leonard Bernstein have defended Bradley Cooper‘s artistic choices amid criticism that the actor/director’s portrayal of their father in the upcoming biopic Maestro leans into an antisemitic stereotype.
After the first trailer for the long-awaited film starring and directed by Cooper dropped earlier this week, some commenters questioned the star’s choice to wear a large prosthetic nose, an image that they said amplified a hurtful Jewish stereotype.
“Bradley Cooper included the three of us along every step of his amazing journey as he made his film about our father,” Jamie, Alexander, and Nina Bernstein said in a statement; while Cooper is not Jewish, Bernstein was born to Jewish parents. “We were touched to the core to witness the depth of his commitment, his loving embrace of our father’s music, and the sheer open-hearted joy he brought to his exploration. It breaks our hearts to see any misrepresentations or misunderstandings of his efforts.”
They added that, “It happens to be true that Leonard Bernstein had a nice, big nose. Bradley chose to use makeup to amplify his resemblance, and we’re perfectly fine with that. We’re also certain that our dad would have been fine with it as well. Any strident complaints around this issue strike us above all as disingenuous attempts to bring a successful person down a notch — a practice we observed all too often perpetrated on our own father.”
The Netflix film co-written by Cooper as well, is focused on the beloved composer’s relationship with Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan), who the conductor married in 1951; the film is co-produced by Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, among others.
One of those criticizing the choice was Joel Swanson, a Jewish History PhD student at the Univ. of Chicago, who wrote, “This isn’t about making a non-Jewish actor look more like Leonard Bernstein; it’s about making a non-Jewish actor look more like a Jewish stereotype.” After his comment was picked up by a number of major news outlets — including in a Time magazine article that asked a representation question about whether “only actors of a certain ethnicity or marginalized group” should portray characters with that same background — Swanson clarified on Wednesday that he was not advocating for that position.
“I just think the nose is a little gross, that’s all,” Swanson wrote of the use of the nose prosthetics as other commenters noted that when Cooper starred in The Elephant Man on Broadway in 2015 he chose not to wear prosthetics to portray John Merrick, who suffered from severe physical deformities.
Maestro is slated to premiere at the Venice Film Festival later this month and hit select theaters on Nov. 22 and Netflix on Dec. 20. So far Cooper has not made a public statement about the controversy and a spokesperson for Netflix had not returned Billboard‘s request for comment.
Bernstein’s children also noted in their post that “at all times” during the making of the film they could “feel the profound respect and yes, the love that Bradley brought to his portrait of Leonard Bernstein and his wife, our mother Felicia. We feel so fortunate to have had this experience with Bradley, and we can’t wait for the world to see his creation.”
See Swanson and the Bernstein’s tweets and the movie trailer below.
Left: Bradley Cooper with his prosthetic nose, playing Leonard Bernstein.Right: The actual Leonard Bernstein.This isn’t about making a non-Jewish actor look more like Leonard Bernstein; it’s about making a non-Jewish actor look more like a Jewish stereotype. https://t.co/WrYWuweosW pic.twitter.com/WxspPtHktj— Joel S. (@jh_swanson) August 15, 2023
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Collecting vinyl is only half of the fun. Once you build up your knowledge, you can have fun testing out more advanced record players and setting up a crisp listening experience using the best speakers, of course. With record players having a major comeback, models have evolved and modernized, allowing you to enjoy listening to popular artists today or classics from the past.
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Whether you’re an experienced record collector who knows how to safely clean vinyl, are a beginner starting your record-playing journey or are just looking for gifts for music lovers, there are a few things every record collector should have in their arsenal.
From unique pieces of home decor to vinyl storing essentials, we rounded up some accessories every vinyl collector should own.
Keep reading to stock up on the picks below.
Amazon
YuanDian Light Up “Now Playing” Vinyl Record Stand
$29.99
Looking to show off your records? You can spotlight whatever you’re listening to with Yuan Dian’s Light-Up Vinyl Record Stand. This stand can not only be mounted to your wall, but has a light-up ability to shine a light on the latest tunes you’re spinning for the day.
Amazon
MAWEW Record Player Stand
$29.99 $32.99 9% OFF
Even if you’re new to owning vinyl, your guests don’t have to know that, and this record player stand can assist in giving off the vibe that you know what you’re doing. The top portion allows you to keep your record player in a safe spot that also puts it on display. Underneath are slots for storing your vinyl, while the side comes with a hook to hang your over-ear headphones or tote bags — it’s up to you!
Amazon
Neoteck Digital Turntable Stylus Force Scale
$13.99 $15.59 10% OFF
Part of keeping your vinyls in pristine shape is making sure your record player needle’s force isn’t too heavy. That’s where a turntable stylus force scale comes in, like this one from Amazon — which is also at its lowest price yet in the last 30 days. How it works is you lay the device on a still record, then turn the turntable on and wait until the device zeros out. Place the needle on the center dot and read the grams on the display.
Amazon
EVEO Premium Vinyl Record Cleaner Kit
$21.97 $26.97 19% OFF
Keep your turntable and records in tip-top shape using EVEO’s 4-in-1 cleaning kit. Within it you’ll find everything you may need, including a velvet brush and cleaning fluid specifically for albums, a hands-free turntable needle gel cleaner and a duster brush.
James
The Abbey Fixed Blade
$69
Getting a package filled with new vinyls can be exciting, but since they’re made from delicate materials you need to be gentle when opening packages. This fixed blade was originally designed with opening vinyl in mind as it uses a thin blade that won’t knick or slice the actual record. It also versatile and can be used to open letters, boxes and more.
Walmart
Big Fudge 12” Outer Sleeves for Vinyl Records
$14.99
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These outer sleeves may seem like a basic accessory to own, but they’ll go a long way in protecting the quality of your records. Included is 25 sleeves made from a high-density polypropylene that will stand up to water damage while keeping out dust and dirt that could scratch or ruin records.
Amazon
Pyle Phono Turntable Preamplifier
$18.99 $22.99 17% OFF
For less than $20, Pyle’s Phono Turntable Preamplifier will help boost your turntable’s signal if it’s not already built into it. What this does enhance the sound quality and overall better your listening experience. Even if your turntable has one built-in, if you want better quality, then an external one like this will only sharpen the sound.
Amazon
Victrola Vintage Vinyl Record Storage and Carrying Case
$50.51 $69.99 28% OFF
Want to take your vinyl with you on the go? Add this carrying case to your cart and worry less about scratching or damaging records. It can hold up to 30 records and is made from a heavy duty vinyl material that’ll protect your precious collection from bumps and tumbles thanks to its edge guards and lock system.
Best Buy
Sony – Core Series 5″ 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers
$199.99
Some record players require separate speakers in order to hear your vinyls played in the best possible quality. Sony’s bookshelf speakers are compact making them apartment dweller-friendly while the three-way sound system condenses it into one source rather than investing in multiple sound systems. The speakers also come with 53Hz to 50kHz frequency response for a wider range of sound.
Walmart
Udreamer Record Player Turntable
$59.99 $99.99 40% off% OFF
And, of course, if you collect vinyl, make sure you have a record player turntable to play spin it on. Udreamer’s model is currently 40% off and comes in a convenient briefcase for portability. It supports three playback speeds and can play three different record sizes: 7 inches, 10 inches and 12 inches. You won’t need speakers either as it has built-in ones and Bluetooth capabilities, which allows you to connect your phone and stream music.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best record players and turntables, portable CD players and the best celebrity headphones.
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 is a PSA to all Deadheads! It’s time to make some space in your media storage cabinets as we’ve found […]
Meryl Streep and Ashley Park have entered the building in a very musical way.
In the newest episode of Hulu’s hit series Only Murders in the Building, which premiered Tuesday (Aug. 15), Streep and Park team up to perform a song co-written by Sara Bareilles (Waitress) along with Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman, Dear Evan Hansen). The song, “Look for the Light,” is now available for fans to stream on all services.
“It was so easy to say yes to this invitation,” said Bareilles in a press statement. “I love the delicious unpredictability of collaboration, and this was as joyful and undeniable as they come. I am such a fan of the Only Murders and of Pasek & Paul, so the idea of writing together for the first time, especially to offer something to someone like Meryl Streep truly felt like a dream. Meryl was gentle and focused, and I loved her musicality and her willingness to share her process. Ashley Park’s glorious counter melody was added later, and I got goosebumps the first time I heard it. It truly couldn’t have been a more seamless experience- how lucky am I to be a part of it!”
For Pasek & Paul, Bareilles was a dream collaborator, adding in a statement, “We were so fortunate to be able to create this song for the legendary Meryl Streep alongside her. As longtime fans of Only Murders, Meryl, and Sara, this opportunity was basically the most perfectly algorithmic targeted ad someone could throw our way.
“Getting to shape this song around Meryl’s voice, and working together in the studio and on set, was a dream and we are three very lucky songwriters,” they continued. “Meryl not only amazed us with her usual brilliance and mastery of the craft, but also inspired us with her humility and tireless work ethic. While it is unfair for someone to be so wonderful at everything, it’s a basic human truth that we all must reckon with!”
The song came in an episode in which Martin Short’s Oliver Putnam attempts to pivot his sure-to-tank murder mystery Death Rattle into a raucous musical during one crazy night of writing. While the show’s producers are split on the effort that involves crab men singing about creatures of the night, unconvinced funder Donna Demeo (Linda Edmond) says she’ll give him 24 hours to come up with a slam-dunk showstopper song.
Just before showcasing the song for his producers, Steve Martin’s Charles-Haden Savage tells his friend and fellow sleuth that nobody is into the musical idea. Frustrated and desperate, Short tells Streep’s Loretta that he’s happy to release her from her contract so she can take a newly offered part in the Grey’s Anatomy spin-off Grey’s New Orleans Family Burn Unit if she’ll just sing his guaranteed “showstopper” for him, the lilting nanny’s lullaby (aka “Look for the Light.”)
With the cast gathered around him, Short sets up a scene in which the show’s star triplets are crying in the night as their nanny soothes them. To the accompaniment of a melancholy piano, Streep sings, “Hush, little one, let me sing you to sleep/ Moonlight has come, now drift off to a dream/ Sail from the day to the wonders awaiting you/ Out there in the deep.”
As violins swell, the Oscar winner captivates the room with the emotional powerhouse ballad, with Ashley Park’s Kimber unable to resist harmonizing on the sweeping chorus in a tour de force that helps to save the show.
The third season of Only Murders premiered Aug. 8, with stars Selena Gomez, Martin Short and Steve Martin returning as true-crime-loving neighbors who get wrapped up in a murder mystery. Back in April, Gomez took to Instagram to tease Streep’s guest appearance by sharing a photo, smiling wide alongside the Oscar-winning icon on the series’ set.
“Well we wrapped season 3 of @onlymurdershulu -I’m not sure I have enough words to explain just how beautiful this season has been. It has been deliriously hilarious, challenging and for me, an absolute dream,” she captioned the photo. “I’ll post more soon. But I’ll I leave it with the woman I adore, look up to and love.”
Listen to “Look for the Light” below, and watch Only Murders in the Building on Hulu.
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With Rihanna preparing to welcome her second bundle of joy and Ciara’s recent pregnancy announcement, we figured it would be a perfect time to round up a list of thoughtful gifts for new and expectant moms.
Cici and RiRi are just two celebrities who make pregnancy look easy, but they’e not the only stars expecting in 2023. “Mother” singer Meghan Trainer, Lindsay Lohan, Naomi Osaka and Chrissy Teigen have all welcomed babies this year. And the baby boom doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
Rihanna & Savage X Fenty Just Dropped a Sultry Maternity Line: Shop It Here
08/15/2023
Baby shower gifts typically focus on the newborn, but moms need love too. Whether you’re interested in pregnancy gifts or postpartum gifts, we’ve rounded up seven thoughtful, useful and affordable ideas that will make new and pregnant moms feel special.
See more below.
Hatch
Hatch 4th Trimester Bundle
$298
Hatch’s 4th Trimester Bundle takes you from pregnancy to postpartum. This cozy set includes a rob, joggers along with Hatch’s Skin to Skin Bra and nipple + lip rescue balm.
Amazon
AZMED Maternity Belly Band for Pregnant Women | Belly Support Band for Abdomen, Pelvic, Waist, Back Pain All Stages of Pregnancy & Postpartum (Beige)
$21.59 $30.99 30% OFF
A simple and affordable gift for expectant moms, the maternity belly band belt is designed to relieve and evenly distribute the pregnancy belly weight.
Vitruvi
Vitruvi Stone Ceramic Oil Diffuser
$98.40 $123 20% off% OFF
Taking care of a newborn can feel like an emotional roller coaster but aromatherapy can help in postpartum recovery. Vitruvi’s Stone Ceramic Oil Diffuser make a nice postpartum gift as it uses essential oils to scent a space of up to 500 square feet. The Stone diffuser is available in over a dozen colors and has an optional LED light for an extended glow.
Humble Bee Nursing Sling Pillow
$64.99
Shopping for a practical gift? Humble Bee‘s nursing sling pillow keeps the baby’s head supported and relieves some of the stress on your arms while nursing. The sling has a pillow with an adjustable, padded shoulder strap and comes with a travel bag. Oh, and don’t forget the nipple cream, it’s another essential breastfeeding.
Bodily
Bodily The Effortless Bra
$48
From pregnancy to postpartum, the Effortless Bra comes highly recommended among Bodily shoppers. The soft, comfortable bra can be worn during maternity, after the baby is born and even beyond breastfeeding.
Baby Bump
Bump Boxes 2nd Trimester Pregnancy Gift Box
$49.99 $68.91 27% off% OFF
Bump boxes offer a variety of gift options for new moms and babies. The second trimester box pictured above includes belly butter, a sonogram frame, sleep mask, organic bath soak and a face cloth.
Bodily
Bodily Care for Birth Box
$89
A “complete care package for new parents,” the Care for Birth Box comes with items used for postpartum recovery and breastfeeding. Included in the box: breast pads, nipple gel pads, a peri wash bottle, socks, boy shorts, stool softener and maxi pads.
Speaking of life after delivery, finding time to cook with a newborn can be challenging for new parents, which makes meal kits a great gift option. Territory, Sunbasket, Snap Kitchen, Sakara, Revive Superfoods and Mama’s Meals are some of the meal delivery kits that offer health and affordable postpartum meal options.
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.
Abercrombie & Fitch has skyrocketed to become one of the most beloved clothing brands on TikTok — and after the brand’s recent makeover, we can see why.
From tailored pants made from lightweight fabrics to graphic T-shirts that don’t have the brand’s name plastered on every corner, it’s quickly become the shop for basics, wedding-guest dresses, work attire and more — according to TikTokers.
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The brand has even been rumored to provide quality SKIMS alternatives as well as Aritzia dupes that are budget-friendly yet don’t skip out on quality.
If you’re looking for an excuse to stock up on some early fall ‘fits, the site is currently having a secret sale of up to 25% off select style, which includes various TikTok viral pieces. To sweeten the deal, they’re also offering free shipping on all orders $99 and over, which means you can fill your cart with new bodysuits, jeans and more without having to worry about the cost of shipping at the end.
Keep reading to shop our picks as well as a couple TikTok favorites.
Abercrombie & Fitch
A&F Sloane Tailored Pant
$67.50 $90 25% off% OFF
These tailored pants have made a name for themselves on TikTok and user @lola_olsen shows a pair off in their video here. The pants come with a wide-leg fit you can pair with your platform heels and can be dressed up or down with a blouse or baby t-shirt. It’s also available in 12 colors to stock up on.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Tailored Relaxed Straight Pant
$72 $90 20% off% OFF
If you’d prefer a more straight fit then these relaxed pants are also on sale in the pink shade. The style is available in three lengths: short, regular and long, and is made with a high-waist design using polyester, viscose and elastane materials for added comfort.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Cap Sleeve Corset Midi Dress
$77 $110 30% off% OFF
You may also recognize this corset dress from TikTok as users are not only obsessed with its cottagecore -like cap sleeves, but the corset bodice that adds shape to the look. You can get a closer peek in @absalz‘s video, which shows of the dress in white.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Oversized Boyfriend Grateful Dead Graphic Tee
$32 $40 20% off% OFF
Grab your ripped jeans and leather jackets as Abercrombie’s cute Grateful Dead shirt is on sale for less than $35. You may consider it one of the best band t-shirts after you slip on the 100% cotton material. Looking for more bands? It also comes in David Bowie, Rolling Stones, The Go-Go’s and Def Leppard styles.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Chicago Bulls Graphic Sunday Crew
$39 $65 40% off% OFF
Get ready for NBA season with a comfy pullover by Abercrombie that shows off your favorite team while keeping you warm and cozy. It comes in four different styles including the Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets allowing you to rep your team on and off the court.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Soft Matte Seamless Squareneck Bodysuit
$30 $50 40% off% OFF
You can never have too many basics especially when it comes to creating layered outfits. This squareneck bodysuit is ideal for wearing with a blazer, denim jacket or paired with a midi skirt. It’s seamless too, meaning it’ll create a more smooth look that won’t leave indentations in your skin.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Relaxed Cargo Pant
$72 $90 20% off% OFF
Going for a utility look? Make sure you have a pair of trusty cargo pants in your rotation. These Abercrombie ones come with plenty of pocket space and shades to stock up on. Plus, you can choose from short, regular or long lengths.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Vegan Leather Blazer
$112 $140 20% off% OFF
Combine structure with some edginess by incorporating a vegan leather blazer into your outfit rotation. It can easily dress up a denim and baby tee outfit or you can wear it to the office with a pair of trousers for a chic work look.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best corsets, varsity jackets and pleated skirts.
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.
The 2023 Pokémon World Championship crowned its winners on Sunday (Aug. 13) in Japan and while the competition may be over, that just means it’s time to get back to training. New and experienced players can take advantage of Amazon‘s deal on a must-have Elite Trainer Box set that’s not only a No. 1 bestseller under collectable card game booster packs, but is currently on sale for 27% off.
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Expand your card collection and learn new strategy tips with the help of the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet 3 Obsidian Flames Elite Trainer Box. It comes with everything you could possibly need for gameplay including a competition-legal coin-flip die to help you train for the 2024 Pokémon World Championship.
To enhance your hand, you’ll also receive nine Scarlet and Violet Obsidian Flames booster packs to upgrade your cards and leave your opponents in awe.
Keep reading to shop the deal and learn more about the card pack.
Amazon
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet 3 Obsidian Flames Elite Trainer Box
$40.16 $54.99 27% OFF
Grow your collection of Pokémon cards with this box set that also comes with 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards and a box with dividers to keep your cards neat and organized. The box even features a player’s guide to the expansion pack along with six damage-counter dice, a full-art foil promo card featuring Charmander, two plastic condition markers and a code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live.
Prefer to play virtually? Walmart is offering a Scarlet & Violet Dual-Pack for the Nintendo Switch, which is on sale now for 31% off. Shop the deal below.
Walmart
Pokemon Scarlet & Pokemon Violet Dual-Pack
$82.99 $119.99 31% off% OFF
Play as a trainer in this dual-pack and travel with Sprigatito, the Grass Cat Pokémon, Fuecoco, the Fire Croc Pokémon, or Quaxly, the Duckling Pokémon to be your first partner as you explore a new region. The new version of this game will come with different outfits depending on if you’re in the Scarlet or Violet worlds and has the ability to connect to Pokémon Home.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best tech deals on Walmart, over-ear headphones and laptop deals.
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. Nicole Scherzinger recently transformed an infinity pool into a swimsuit cover-worthy backdrop as she posed in a cutout one-piece. During a […]
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.
TikTok has become the space for finding everything from the latest fashion trends to beauty dupes and home essentials. But, it’s also become a popular resource for organization solutions that can help declutter and transform your space into one worthy of a magazine spread.
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Space can be considered a luxury (especially for apartment dwellers) and when putting away necessities like cleaning solutions, spare sponges and dish soap, under your kitchen sink is probably one of the first spots you think of. It’s also one of the areas that can easily become cluttered and disorganized, but thankfully TikTok has come to the rescue with a few viral solutions that’ll help turn your under sink area from an eyesore to organized bliss — and they’re available on Amazon!
TikTok user @neatlyembellished is known for their home finds and found a two-tier option that’s elegant and can store a range of sizes.
From two-tier options to basket-inspired designs, we listed some of the best under sink organizers TikTok has found, so you don’t have to do the digging yourself.
Keep reading to shop the TikTok home finds below.
Amazon
SpaceKeeper Under Sink Organizer
$39.99
As seen in the video above, this under the sink organizer by SpaceKeeper comes in a two tier design with a small basket on top and attachable compartment to store smaller objects like brushes and sponges. The bottom basket can pull out and provides extra room to add spray bottles and more.
Amazon
Simple Houseware 3-Tier Stackable Sliding Basket Organizer
$29.87 $32.87 9% OFF
TikTok user @sarbailey shows off a basket styled under sink organizer in their video here, which comes in a two-tier and three-tier style to customize to your needs. It’s also an under $30 pick that can declutter your kitchen or bathroom for less. As an added bonus, each drawer slides out for easier access to toiletries and bathroom supplies.
STORi Audrey Stackable Clear Bin Plastic Organizer
$23.99 $27.99 14% OFF
For smaller items, user @teresalauracaruso uses this stackable clear bin organizer for there under sink storage, which you can see in action here. If you’re short on space, this design is more compact and comes in three sizes to choose from.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best scented candles, robot vacuum deals and cookware deals.